We’ve all heard the African Proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.”  As a mother I recognize the truth in this statement as my children have benefitted greatly from the direction, discipline, encouragement and wisdom of many different people in our “village”.

I think this proverb has special meaning for families served by Inheritance of Hope.  One of the goals of our Legacy Retreats is to create a solid “village” for these families…a network of support and understanding to help these parents raise their children with a focus on leaving a lasting legacy.

At the June Legacy Retreat in Walt Disney World Orlando, FL our village consisted of 100 people: 65 family members and 35 staff/volunteers.  Significant bonds were made.  It was, and still is, a beautiful village.

“Meeting other young families in similar situations was amazing.”

“This Disney Retreat encourage me to have more faith and hope than I did before. They were all wonderful people and it was very insightful listening to others challenges in the counseling sessions. It is a week my family and I will never forget. My wish is that many more families going through the same challenges will have the same opportunity to experience a retreat like this.”

“What an amazing event. The IOH team was amazing. They loved on us from the start to the finish. The counseling sessions were very informative and thought provoking and while we initially thought we’d miss being at the park during them we actually came to look forward to the sessions.”

“I cannot begin to tell what the Legacy Retreat meant to me and my family. For a little while each day we forgot about cancer. We forgot about money worries. We just had fun being together and with our new friends. Some of these new friends, volunteers and fellow families, will be lifelong friends.”

“We got to meet some amazing families and share some very powerful connections. It was helpful to know that we are all so much alike, in that we all fear a lot of the same concerns. The honesty and courage that these families and volunteers shared, was so inspiring.”

I am so thankful to be a part of a team that loves and serves others with all their hearts!