Program Overview

The first few days of the retreat focus on the effects of loss and social trauma related to facial disfigurement in the girls lives, focusing on the challenges of looking different.

Each morning before breakfast, the girls are lead through a morning ritual of yoga stretches outside,cradled in the Cypress Trees on a grassy knoll.

Every morning after a fresh, organic breakfast the girls listen to presentations from adults who have endured a serious burn injury or born with a birth anomaly who have gone on to live a successful life.

In an emotionally safe talking circle, lead by a licensed Mental Health Professional, the girls share their struggles with the group through art, drawing, journaling and verbal expression. Their emotional pain is allowed to surface; is acknowledged and addressed. It is not uncommon to find that many of the girls are willing to discuss issues they have never felt safe enough to express until now and are relieved to find a safe place to do so.

On the first night the girls who have been to Angel Faces before give a 10 minute presentation to all of us on "How their lives have changed" as a result of what they have learned from Angel Faces and the choices they have made to implement what they have learned. This is a very powerful presentation.

On the second day the girls experience the first part of the "Spa Experience"; teaching the girls the importance of honoring and nurturing their bodies through self care. In a Spa-like setting the girls receive full body Massages and Facials by licensed professionals who volunteer their time and who are skilled in area of damaged skin and scarring.

Throughout the week-long retreat, each girl has a private one to two hour consultation with a Corrective Cosmetic Professional who teaches the girls techniques to enhance their appearance using the latest corrective cosmetic product and technique. They are also given an opportunity to demonstrate to us how they have learned to apply their own corrective makeup. A true make over. See the before and after pictures on the website.

The program also includes a presentation on Self Leadership, Goal Setting and indentifying their Five Points of Power.

Also, an important part of the program the girls role play their newly learned skills and tools about how to positively and lovingly handle when someone is staring at them and asking uninvited questions about their facial difference. Role playing is key in having the girls practice their new found confidence; such as introducing themselves to other and how to set boundaries when others intrude on theirs.

The latter part of the "Spa Experience" the girls are treated to new hair cuts/styles, by licensed professionals who volunteer their time.

In summary, the first part of the Angel Faces program focuses on identifying trauma and loss issues followed by sharing and exploring ways to facilitate emotional healing. This time also helps the girls identify blocking beliefs about themselves that may be limiting their lives. The latter part of the retreat focuses on the care and attention to the physical part of being a maturing young woman. The program also includes brief instruction of self defense and introduction of money management; such the importance of saving money, writing checks and responsible use of credit cards.

Throughout the entire retreat a lot of room is offered for fun -- swimming, jewelry making, and hanging out time lend balance to the time spent addressing grief and trauma issues. Angel Faces is a retreat that truly focuses on the healing process within a holistic framework. Mind, heart and spirit are all addressed in a powerful safe environment.

The end result is a new and hope-filled start for the girls who leave the retreat with skills and tools to create the life they want and to over overcome the challenges of living with a facial disfigurement – and to create the life they want.