At 12, Sara found safety. At 17, she’s giving back.
Sara was just 12 when she and her three younger siblings arrived at a Sanctuary shelter with their mother, escaping years of abuse from their stepfather. Shy and anxious, Sara struggled to trust anyone — or even believe that she was safe.
Through counseling at Sanctuary, Sara slowly began to heal. Her counselor encouraged her to attend Camp HOPE, our weeklong sleepaway camp for children and teens who have experienced violence.
The first days at camp were difficult. She wanted to go home. But soon, Sara was laughing with her cabin mates and leaning on her counselors. Her breakthrough came on the high ropes course: halfway up, she panicked and climbed down. Encouraged to try again, she pushed herself — and reached the top. That night at the campfire, she was awarded the “Courageous” Character Trait Award.
“I’ve never felt so proud of myself,” Sara told her counselors.
Five years later, Sara is now 17 — and a familiar face at Camp HOPE every summer. Her courage inspired her younger siblings to join camp, too. During the school year, Sara participates in Sanctuary’s Youth Leadership Program, attending workshops and events that help teens build skills and confidence.
This past summer, Sara completed the Counselor-in-Training program, and next year, she plans to lead her own cabin, guiding campers through the same transformative experiences that changed her life.
“I want to give back to others who have had experiences like mine,” Sara shared. “Camp HOPE is home. I feel safe here.”
