Angel Faces is a unique non-profit organization founded in 2003 by a Lesia Cartelli, a burn-survivor herself. There is no other similar organization in the United States. There are burn camps, but there are no burn retreats. The organization's mission is to provide 6-day, summer live-in therapeutic retreat that focuses on assisting 25 girls with facial burns or disfigurement to deal with grief, trauma, isolation, family and peer conflict while building their self-esteem and increasing their self-confidence. Exterior injuries are only a tip of the iceberg. Social, familial and other loss issues are usually floating near the surface and need attention. Through workshops and therapy sessions, the retreat instructions and volunteers assist the attendees to develop boundaries, build life-long relationships and give them the tools and communication skills to handle stares and teasing. After the retreat, the girls participate in an ongoing, dynamic "Angels in Flight" program with a structured curriculum that provides continuing education and reinforcement of the skills learned during the retreat and fosters personal growth of the girls. Moreover, the Angels in Flight Program provides a continuing connection between the girls and Angel Faces and each other, and encourages the girls to become ambassadors to other burn survivors. The funds will be used to sponsor 2 burn survivors at $3,500/girl, to the retreat and the follow-up program. The per-person cost covers one week's lodging, food, care and paid therapeutic counseling. The time-line for the Retreat process is as follows: January to May, 2012 is devoted to the indentifing and screening process to select the appropriate attendees. Each of the attendees is carefully selected. At least 1/2 of the girls have burn injuries over 60% of the bodies; a few have burn injuries over 90% of their body surface. The results of the retreat which will occur in June, 2012 will be a community of girls who have been inspired to reach their maximum potential - to gain self-confidence, overcome the trauma of their injuries, conquer feelings of rejection, form meaningful friendships and support-each other.
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