I attended a Sunlight Retreat in 2019 in Escondido, CA. It was a wonderful and transformative experience. I was surrounded by loving, open-minded people who truly wished to help all of the attendees thrive. I learned so very much and felt supported and understood for the first time in my adult life since my trauma. There is a great need for this work and I am so grateful to Sunlight Retreats Foundation for all they offer to trauma survivors like myself. Thank you!
I interned with Sunlight and found myself so appreciative of the foundation and the services offered to those who truly needed it. It was an honor to help build sunlight into what it is today, and to read the stories of how our work impacted our survivors. It opened my understanding to the world of non-profits, and the service gap for rape survivors that Sunlight fills. I love their low-cost and low- barrier entry, and will continue to support the organization for many years.
This is a fantastic organization. They have made such a huge impact in such a short period of time and continue to provide invaluable support and resources to uplift and empower survivors of rape and sexual assault. Proud to support Sunlight Retreats.
Sunlight validated the trauma I experienced. The retreat gave me the opportunity - a dedicated time, space and support- to be compassionate with myself and intentionally process the sexual assault I experienced a year prior. I felt seen, heard and accepted by the fellow retreatants and volunteers who made the retreat possible. It was integral in my journey from victim to survivor.
Sunlight created a community and gently invited to heal by teaching about the science of trauma, introducing me to ways to care for myself and love myself into wholeness through food, watercolor, yoga, acupuncture, laughter, and nature. The sunlight volunteers and fellow retreatants created a community where I did do not have to suffer in silence, shame, or alone. The community continued virtually after the retreat has ended.
Two years post retreat, I have repainted some of the memories of the trauma with recollections of the retreat, thoughts of post traumatic growth, resilience and empowerment.
I am grateful to be on this side of sunlight!
As the program coordinator for the La Mesa Lions Club I had the founder of Sunrise Retreats
give a program to our club.This was 2 or 3 years ago.The talk was extremely well received by our members.What she is doing to help young women is amazing.I can definitely highly recommend this nonprofit.
Thomas W Callan,M.D.
Col.US Army (Ret)
I have volunteered my time at 2 prior Sunlight Retreats. I have personally observed the speakers, the variety of groups and the progress made by the attendees. The compassion and kindness provided in a secure and safe environment speaks volumes for those who have suffered such a devastating trauma in their lives. A gentle smile and a a warm hand reaching out with understanding has the ability to move mountains.
I have the utmost respect and admiration for the founder, Ms. Brittany Kirk, Her love and compassion is the driving force behind this foundation often at her own personal expense. Her foundation deserves the opportunity to continue to "welcome the light" through the support of such a wonderful non-profit organization.
They do the work. There is so much I could say about Sunlight Retreats. In 2017 I was at one of the lowest points of my life. I didn't understand trauma or compounded trauma at all. After this retreat, I felt like I could actually start working toward having a grip on my life. You have to do the work too and this retreat teaches you, guides you, and helps you figure out how. I had zero understanding of C-PTSD before coming here. After, I realized that I did need to seek counseling and take back control in a positive way. I could go on and on. The yoga, the pups, the education, the community. I wish Sunlight continued success in this lifetime and beyond.