This July, nine of Greenbrier Academy's students, alongside staff, went on a Mission Trip to serve others in Puerto Rico. This trip in so many ways represents what Greenbrier's foundations are as a school; Mission, Source and Virtue. This trip gave all participants the opportunity to practice leadership skills, and be immersed in an international, experiential learning environment for a week.
This international service opportunity allowed many of Greenbrier Academy's students to gain confidence in themselves, to connect with peers from a positive and light hearted as well as in deep and meaningful ways. It was and continues to be a beautiful demonstration of building a virtuous relationship. The group was also hugely enthusiastic and supportive as a whole. They were confident in their own beliefs and accepting of others. Girls shouted for support of one another with joy. It was infectious and the girls were able to open up and join.
Greenbrier helped with repairing roofing on homes still damaged from the hurricane. Students and staff assisted with a children’s bible study both playing games, teaching and assisting with crafts. Greenbrier also served in a Food Depot, where those struggling can receive food for their family for the week for the cost of only $3. Students organized food, broke down hundreds of boxes, and deep cleaned several bin lids. Not once did students complain. Rather Greenbrier staff saw the young ladies step up, take care of one another and volunteer to do more. Students showed a clear sense of their purpose and that they could make a difference simply by being willing and showing up. It is hard to give in to a limiting belief of being “worthless” when there is a line out the door, down the block for an entire day of people needing help and volunteers' efforts through the week make it possible to help.
Greenbrier is a therapeutic boarding school; many of their students struggle with non acute anxiety and/or depression. It was a gift to see an international service experience give all participants a strong sense of positive purpose, illuminating new reasons to move forward in new and healthy ways, preserving and protecting the futures they deserve.
Students also had a lot of fun! At the end of the day, students played in the cooling pool, and were able to enjoy a day of souvenir shopping and exploring the fort, El Morro, in Old San Juan. Best of all the ladies all felt accomplished, connected to ourselves, each other, to new healthy friends, and even with something much much bigger.
About Greenbrier Academy
Greenbrier Academy (GBA) is an all-girls' therapeutic boarding school. The mission at Greenbrier Academy is to mentor and empower adolescent girls and their families to create quality, healing intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships through inspired critical thinking, advanced therapeutics, college prep academics and stimulating adventures.