Personal Expressions Retreat
Rating: 4.93 stars 14 14 reviews 1,486
Address:
PO Box 63 348 Cr 105A Castell TX 76831 USA
Mission:
PER Changes lives through a 72 hour retreat curriculum designed to ReBuild lives, self-renewal. Our partners have a desire to empower and renew the lives of crime victims.
Geographic areas served:
National
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Reviews for Personal Expressions Retreat
8 people found this review helpful
I helped victims to learn to grow and over come their problems from being a part of their life. It was so great to see these 8 women grow and learn from the weekend. I hope it grows and can help more people effected from a crime.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
In the follow up with these women I have seen their self esteem return and feel safe to move on with their lives. Its so great to see what difference the retreat did to help these great women.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-3-01
10 people found this review helpful
I went to the retreat as an assistance. I was there to help creat the right enviroment for the victims. I was there to try to be a blessing to others, however, the blessings that I received from this retreat surpassed what I gave. I watched lives change infront of my eyes. I watched women forgive and find closure after many years of pain and bitterness. The space and enviroment that was created for these women allowed them to relax and open up to share and hear the healing words so they could start their own path of healing and closure. We were all suppose to leave on Sunday at noon. I was overwhelmed with emotions when noon rolled around and the women didn't want to leave. They wanted the retreat to continue. We stayed until around 4 that day. It spoke volumes to me and indicated what a true success the week-end had been. I am so lucky and fortunate to have been a part of this retreat and blessed to have assisted such an amazing woman as Janice. I am thanful for her dream and determination to see it through to fruition. The retreat was a huge success and far exceeded what the original goal was. I would only be lucky if I was given the opportunity to be a part of this organization in the future. All the women who attended truly touched my heart and I will remember them forever. Connections were made that week-end that will last a lifetime. Thanks Janice and PER
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have been following Janice and her dreams for a year now. I have watched this unfold right infront of my own eyes. Many hours of talk about this first retreat. Many prayers.... and I thank God it finally came and was so successful! Congrats Janice..
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Find a way to find the funding so there could be one retreat a week and eventually find others that wanted to do retreats all over the world.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Getting to be a direct part of touching others lives and watching the healing process.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Duplicate the retreat and have them every week-end in every large town across the country.... Change lives globally!
Ways to make it better...
Only if it could have lasted longer.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Definately just funding... That's the only challenge. Funding would take care of providing childcare for the victims family so they could rest and focus knowing their children where provided for as well.
One thing I'd also say is that...
PER is lucky to have such a vision driven woman running this organization!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-5-01
6 people found this review helpful
This was our first actual retreat and the outcomes were greater and even more affective then we could have imagined. The group of women that volunteered their time and made this all possible were all so amazing in their individual ways. They came with an open heart and soaked up as much learning and knowledge as they could. Each day was filled with love and understanding, teaching us all to search deeper into each strong soul to really see their story. The retreat was so blessed to share with these women and I can wish for nothing more but for them to have a better, more independent and profound life.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I personally experienced the results as the ending video played...My executive director (who's dream was being shown before her eyes) began to cry pure tears from the years and years of hard work to start the program to watching it unfold in front of her.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Being able to play a roll in the maturing and rebuilding of another humans soul.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
If the organization was so blessed that it contained that amount of money I believe the retreats would still be run on a budgeted basis but with the savings they would be able to be held more frequently touching more and more women's lives.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-5-01
8 people found this review helpful
The retreat provided a unique and intimate space to foster healing. Janice did an incredible job of planning events and our schedule to help us learn about empowerment, self-care, forgiveness, and self-responsibility. The deep breathing was extremely grounding. I really enjoyed the collage for our journals - it's been years since I have created anything like that. The intimate setting allowed for trust building and sharing of our stories, our fears and our dreams. It was also comforting to have a facilitator, Janice, who is sensitive enough to allow the schedule some fluidity. Because of her flexibility, there were events that were allowed to happen which truly enhanced everyone's experience. Allowing her chiropractic friend, Patrick, to attend the retreat on short notice proved to be a life changing experience for me. All the introspection, vulnerability, and healing work we had done during the weekend made me ripe for releasing decades-old pain, which Patrick gracefully helped see me through. I cried and sobbed through hurt and pain that I didn't know how to release on my own. Everyone there held my space so powerfully without needing to "hold my hand". It was a powerful lesson to me in how we are all responsible for our own healing and need to allow everyone their own pain/experience. Sometimes when we want to "save" someone from their hurt, we are really prolonging their process and getting in the way of what they need to be doing for themselves. I am eternally grateful to Janice and all of the parties involved in making this weekend possible. I pray that Janice and PER continue to receive the funding and support needed to maintain the program. There are few programs available that help women stop the blame-game and focus on taking responsibility for their own healing, lives and happiness - I strongly believe PER has it right. I pray for PER's continued success. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
How I view myself and how I relate to others. I'm more aware of my self-dialogue. I tell myself, "I deserve it" often, which makes a HUGE difference. Most importantly, I no longer experience daily chronic neck pain. Feel blessed and grateful!
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Allow participants to return :) ... because we deserve it!
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The shared experiences allowed for comfort and easier trust building. I felt extremely comfortable and SAFE. It was an amazing place to foster and facilitate healing.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Sincerely caring and accommodating. I felt that not only was I listened to but more importantly, I felt like I was being heard. That was awesome.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Provide more retreats and workshops like this for more women. The fact that it provides an intimate safe environment for women to share their stories and empower themselves, is priceless. You can never have too many PER's.
Ways to make it better...
I took more time to meditate and self reflect. That was a lesson for me on time management.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
finding financial support and facilities. also childcare so that more women can attend without having to worry about the needs of their children.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I am grateful that there are courageous women like Janice who dared to dream. Because of her vision and faith, we at PER are better women. She is my (S)HERO. Thank you Janice and God bless.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-1-01
10 people found this review helpful
I have been divorced after 40 years, 30 of those being physically abused and mentally, the other 10 being mentally abused. I had worked a couple of programs helping me a lot but just couldn't seem to find closure. I spent a weekend on this retreat & came away with so many coping skills and a new set of women friends to draw on for strength. I feel better than I have in 15 years. More empowered!
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
watching how many women seemed to relax & open up to new life experiences. We all walked away from this better able to cope with a new set of friends to draw strength & understanding from.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I'm not sure this needs more than being able to serve a larger community. I will consider helping with any future retreats if they organization needs volunteers & I can be of any assistance.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
how empowered I felt when I left there.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Amazing, understanding educated people
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Reach all people that have been victims of crime.
Ways to make it better...
Can't think of anything.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Enough money to reach out to enough victims
One thing I'd also say is that...
I would help volunteer any time I might be needed.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-5-01
9 people found this review helpful
I am very happy to have the first retreat under our belt. It has been a long time coming with lots of pitfalls along the way, but it seemed to go brilliantly. After speaking with leaders and watching the video I am proud of the accomplishment
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Seeing the cumlmination of a long struggle finally come into being.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the tenacity of the board to get through adversity
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Help many many people in an underserved category of our population
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-5-01
8 people found this review helpful
This was the MOST amazing experience in my life. I'm a single mother of 3 children, a victim of verbal, mental and eventually physical abuse over the course of a 15 year relationship. My parents divorced when I was 8 years old, my father was an alocholic/drug addict, and when I was 14 my mother was in a car accident which left her in a coma for 3 months and permanently disabled and no longer able to care for my younger brother or myself, her own self and we had no family to help. This retreat has given me the tools I need to start building a new life for myself and my children. I learned not to dwell in the past because the past is gone forever and that if I want happiness in my life I have to create it for myself. I also learned if I let things be a problem for me or hold negative thoughts they will only bother me to the extent I allow them to. I met some amazing women during this retreat that I hope to form lasting relationships with in the future. We worked on meditation and getting in touch with our inner self. We laughed and cried together and shared meaningful conversations over some wonderful meals and sunsets. This experience was a literally a "DREAM COME TRUE FOR ME"! In March when I got my income tax return I asked my SafePlace counselor if they new of any women retreats and they tried to help me find something, we had no luck. Then by GOD'S WILL, the Wednesday before the retreat was to take place I was at my Women's Mind and Body weekly group meeting at SafePlace and at the end of our group the therapist annouced this flyer the had received for the PER retreat. I knew as they started to talk about it no matter what it took I was going to be at the retreat. Thank you Janice for having this DREAM for some many years, thank you sponsor for helping this dream become a reality, thank you to all the wonderful Staff at The Crossing in Austin, Texas and thank you to all the women that shared in this retreat with me. MY LIFE HAS JUST BEGUN AND I'M 41YEARS OLD.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
This experience has been a life changing time for me. I've been in therapy and on depression medications for years and until now, my life has been at an iddle state.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would offfer childcare for the women that don't have family or friends to help with there children during the retreat. I would suggest a kid retreat or campout of some type. As all of us women in the group had similar stories to share, s would the kids
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Meeting the wonderful ladies I met. Learning that I Deserve to be happy and empowered.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Fabulous, down to earth, caring, courageos women. Dr. Patrick was amazing as well as very enlighten.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Have retreats for women and children so that we could share in our healing process at the same time.
Ways to make it better...
It could happen monthly or quartlerly.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Not enough people know about it and the benefits it offers to me and women like me.
One thing I'd also say is that...
"I'M GREAT AND I DESERVE IT"
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-5-01
10 people found this review helpful
Personal Expressions Retreat is a powerful concept aimed at helping women everywhere. Janice Jensen's vision is not limited to the people she can directly impact. Instead, she has envisioned showing key motivated individuals how to impact vicitims of crimes. Because of her broad perspecitive and her heart to help as many people as possible, PER (Personal Expressions Retreat) is established on a solid foundation to impact an ever widening circle of women who need empowering.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have observed this organization grow from an idea, to non-profit status to an effective means of empowering women when they need help the most. It is an excellent organization which I am proud to be a small part of helping.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would encourage PER to have more retreats to get more people started helping victims of crimes. I would also encourage them to develop ways participants of PER can have online dialogs, come back to online resources to reenforce their retreat experience.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
seeing an idea grow from a question to a hope to a dream to an organization to a reality that is beginning to touch people's lives
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
caring compassionate people who share a sense of value and worth to the people they help.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
empower victims of crimes all around the globe
Ways to make it better...
we had known at the beginning what we know now
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
to stay focused on growth without becoming spread too thin. Also to not grow faster than the organization can sustain.
One thing I'd also say is that...
It is worth the struggle!!! Keep up the great work.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-4-01
10 people found this review helpful
This was one of the best small retreats that I have ever had the pleasure to be part of. The participants were healing the past and creating brand new avenues of expression for their future. I would recommend this program to anyone who wishes to grow, heal and take charge of their life.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My only experience with this organization was the retreat. Janice did a wonderful job
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
assist them in becoming bigger and produce workshops and retreats all over the US
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the commitment to the healing of the clients
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
truly inspiring and making a difference for the participants
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help heal the pain and suffering of thousands of victims of abuse and crime
Ways to make it better...
I had a little more time to prepare and had been involved in the planning
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
gathering enough committed staff and the money necessary to market and perform the retreats
One thing I'd also say is that...
I am honored to have been part of the very first retreat. I trust that my contribution to the participants added to their lives and I hope that I can be a regular contributor in the future.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-5-01
10 people found this review helpful
From it's conception in 2005,the concept of Personal Expressions Retreat have moved my soul. There are so many of our society that when confronted with a trauma in their lives, do not have the financial or professional assets available to them to completely get them through the healing process. Personal Expressions concept of picking up where the social service programs stop has always seemed to be such a needed program in todays society. As the our economy worsens, and stability in lives decreases, the need for a non-profit like Personal Expression Retreat becomes even more important. In working with Janice Jensen and the Board over the past years, I have gained insight into the passion that each Board member brings to the program. I urge all who are reading this to consider how they hlp be that light in the darkness that so many are desperately needing.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Working with the Board for over 4 years in creating the organization and watching the growth process of Personal Expressions Retreat.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-5-01
