What Parents Are Saying
Dear Power of Hope:
My daughter, who turns 18 in October, just graduated from Power of Hope, after attending the camp for third time on Cortes Island, BC. It has been a joy for me to watch her enthusiasm grow for the experience and see the rewards it has brought her, both in personal growth and increased self-confidence and in wonderful connections and friendships it has given her.
I had to drag her kicking and screaming to her first POH. Now, I have to tear her away, and she can’t wait to apply to return as a counselor. Having met many POH kids, I can attest to the quality and lasting value of the unique program you have created. It is solid gold.
I am very grateful to you and your colleagues for enriching my daughter’s (and my) life. I will support your work and recommend Power of Hope to all those I know with kids of eligible age.
Sincerely,
Andrew Weil, MD
Dr. Weil, renowned author of "Health and Healing," was named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential people in the world.
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Dear Power of Hope,
I want to say a huge thank you for your encouragement getting Ben registered for POH summer camp. It was truly an amazing experience for him. When I picked him up at he bus I had tears in my eyes watching him hug everyone goodbye - it took almost a half an hour for him to transition to the car. Once in the car, he told me:
"This is the first time in my life when I have felt entirely loved and accepted by everyone in a group and the first time I have had the chance to truly get to know and love a group of people. This has been a life changing experience for me."
Wow! I really thought he would love it, I just didn't know how deeply he would be affected. You knew. He says he is going back next year and nothing will stop him.
— Laurel Kunesh, Bellingham, WA
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Some comments from other parents of Power of Hope teen participants:
• I cannot express profoundly enough the impact of the POH program on my daughter’s life. They helped her embrace and love her true self in the midst of the myriad of messages she was receiving from today’s youth culture. I truly believe that if not for the POH program, I would have lost many precious years of being an integral part of her life.
— Parent of summer camp participant
• I want to thank you and the organizers of the Earth Arts weekend for putting on such a terrific event! Matthew returned home on Sunday evening absolutely amazed at himself and the fabulous time he had. He has nothing but positive things to say about his experience, from the incredibly supportive atmosphere, to the talents of the young people attending, the skills of the facilitators and presenters, and even the food. You and your team have done a remarkable job!
Matthew was extremely nervous and anxious about attending. He has always been very withdrawn and awkward in social situations, unsure of his abilities and absolutely unwilling to take risks of any kind. For him to take the risks he did with a public presentation was a huge leap and an incredible testament to the abilities of the facilitators.
Thank you so much for providing a scholarship so that Matthew could have this very important experience. I’m sure it will stay with him as one of the most important of his life!
— Parent of an Earth Arts weekend camp participant
• Thank you for all thise involved in the HIP HOP HOPE camp. My daughter, Julia had a fabulous time and was deeply enriched. Little bits and pieces of the experence are finding their way to verbalization and as a parent I'm so glad this program exists. [My daughter] has now attended two camps and is totally switched on. She has said "Mom, there really aren't any words to describe it." Thank you all for making this happen. I wish it were available in SanFrancisco and surrounding areas for other youths. You guys rock.
— Parent of Hip Hop Hope/Summer Camp participant