Last summer, I was asked to help pilot the Power of You: Teen Wellness Retreat at the Whidbey Institute just north of Seattle, WA. The experience was  profoundly meaningful  for the participating teens. As we move into our second offering, I am thrilled to  expand this transformative opportunity  to Bay Area students for Summer 2026!

We plan to host a group of  16 teens, ages 15-17, for a powerful 3-day retreat. Students will gain vital skills by exploring  mindfulness practices, self-care tools, and community engagement  with their peers. This retreat will also serve as a primer for my Mindfulness Practices elective, which I hope to lead next school year in partnership with  Peace in Schools.

The Power of You was profoundly meaningful for last year's participants. Here are some testimonials:

• “My son came home in a glowing exhaustion both days of this retreat. He felt lighter and more full of his own power at the same time. He learned about what drags him down and ways to counter that. He learned about power and what it could mean for him to step into his own.”
  —    Parent of teen   , Power of You Teen Retreat

• “Being able to connect with other people my age, I was able to learn more about myself and where I stand with the world. ”
  —    Tanis   , Power of You Teen Retreat

Our goal is to make this retreat affordable and accessible for all.  While we have a mix of grants, donations, and paying students, the need for financial aid is high. Our campaign goal of  $5,000  will directly sponsor  4 students, covering their lodging, meals, and facilities fees. (I and the other facilitators are donating our time to ensure costs are kept low for all families.)

But we have a bigger vision.  My hope is to not just meet our $5,000 goal, but to  exceed it  so we can make this retreat  entirely free for any interested student!  Every additional  $1,250  we raise will sponsor one more teen. Help us remove the financial barrier completely and give more students the gift of lifelong well-being.

Thank you for believing in our teens and investing in their lifelong well-being!