About myRetreat™
The myRetreat™ Scholarship Program is an intensive developmental program for underserved young women, between 17 and 21 years old, that assists them to achieve their personal, educational and career goals. Participants attend a weekend retreat and work with a mentor for six months on their action plans. At the end of six months, participants are eligible to apply for the myRetreat™ Grant.
FAQS
The 2017 myRetreat™ Weekend will be held at Smuggler’s Notch, VT from the morning of Friday, April 21st to the evening of Sunday, April 23rd. Participants will be provided a letter for early dismissal from school on April 21st (if required).
No. The myRetreat™ Program is flexible and physical attendance is only required for the weekend retreat, from April 21-23. Since participants are from all over New England, workshops are offered in person and virtually, via Skype. Additionally, mentors are identified in the city/area where the participant lives.
Yes. Applicants that will turn 17 by April 20th, 2017 can apply to the myRetreat™ Scholarship Program. Applicants that are under 17 by this date will not be considered and will be put on a waiting list for a future myRetreat™ Scholarship Program Cohort.
Yes. Applicants from New England (Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont) and New York states can apply to myRetreat™ Scholarship Program. Depending on the number of participants from each state, Xcel, Inc. makes arrangements for transportation to Smuggler’s Notch, VT accordingly. Currently, transportation from/to Hartford, CT and Springfield and Boston, MA are scheduled.
Groups of 4-5 participants will share a three-bedroom condo with a myRetreat™ chaperone and or peer chaperone. This will be your assigned team throughout myRetreat™ Weekend. Visit Smuggler’s Notch Resort for more information.
Yes. All essay questions on the application are required. Answers to these questions should be well thought out as they are used to determine your acceptance to the myRetreat™ program.
No. Acceptance to the myRetreat™ program is not based solely on grades. The Selection Committee reviews all information provided, especially the answers to the essay questions, during the selection process. Grades are used to determine where areas of additional support are needed by participants.
The myRetreat™ Selection Committee will review all applications and select candidates that will be invited to in-person or virtual interviews. After interviews and reference checks, the Selection Committee will choose candidates that will be offered full or partial myRetreat™ Scholarships. All candidates will be notified of the status of their application by email on Monday, April 3rd, followed by mail.
Full scholarships are offered to candidates with an annual household income at or below the following thresholds, based on family size.
Family size of 1: $48,240 or less annually
Family size of 2: $64,960 or less annually
Family size of 3: $81,680 or less annually
Family size of 4: $98,400 or less annually
Family size of 5: $115,120 or less annually
Family size of 6+: $131,840 or less annually
Candidates with annual household income above the thresholds above are offered partial scholarships and will be responsible for a portion of the myRetreat Program cost. Candidates that receive a partial scholarships can apply for a waiver if there is a financial hardship.
If you receive a full scholarship, all program related costs are covered. These costs include lodging, meals, transportation and workshops offered during and after myRetreat™ Weekend. If you receive a partial scholarship, all program costs are covered after payment is received for the participant portion.
Participants are encouraged to bring money if they want to purchase items during the trip that are not covered as part of the program.
Yes. There will be an orientation for participants accepted to the myRetreat™ Program in order for participants to meet each other and ask questions. This Orientation will take will take place on Saturday, April 8th, 2017. Additional information will be provided to accepted participants in the Scholarship Award Letter.
myRetreat™ Weekend
myRetreat™ kicks off with a three day weekend retreat in Vermont, which includes workshops and group activities. Participants also work on action plans.
Action Plans
After myRetreat™ Weekend participants work collaboratively, with their mentor via the LinkHer™ Program, on achieving the goals in their action plans.
myRetreat™ Grant
Participants in each year’s program are eligible to apply for the myRetreat™ Grant which provides $1,000 in financial assistance towards their goals.
Women In Insurance
myRetreat™ is made possible with over $14,000 in funding from the Women In Insurance. To get involved, contact Lynne Fletcher at lynne.fletcher@awac.com
Testimonials
This is literally a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m so grateful to be a part of it. The stress management workshop was a life saver for me!
My favorite workshop was the boards and visualizing our future and what we want our future to look like. I also liked the team building potluck.
The girls were confident, very trustworthy and brave to share their stories with one another. They even felt the need to be supportive and keep in contact.
I have many goals set for myself, like getting a car, a nice home and my own career. I know that I can achieve them because this retreat gave me the confidence to do so.
It was so nice being around people that just understand and are so open minded. I stepped out of my comfort zone and I loved it!
I was able to gain a support system that I never had before. The workshops taught me a lot about myself and my goals.