The Power of New Experiences: How Field Trips Enrich Lives

The Power of New Experiences: How Field Trips Enrich Lives

At Friends of Guest House, healing and reintegration don’t just happen within our walls—they happen out in the world, through connection, confidence-building, and community engagement. One of Guest House reentry residents at Nationals gamethe most meaningful ways we support our residents on their reentry journeys is by providing enriching field trips that allow them to experience life beyond incarceration in new and transformative ways.

Thanks to the generous support of the Fenwick Foundation, these field trips have become a vital part of the Guest House experience.

Why Field Trips Matter

For women in our residential program, field trips are more than just outings—they are opportunities for growth and rediscovery. Many women in reentry have been disconnected from the world around them due to the isolating effects of incarceration. Simple experiences like visiting a museum, walking through a botanical garden, or attending a play become powerful moments of reflection, learning, and joy.

These trips:

  • Build social skills and foster community

  • Support mental health through recreation and relaxation

  • Promote healing and self-confidence by engaging in new environments

  • Encourage curiosity and personal development, reminding our residents that they are worthy of beauty, culture, and fun

The Fenwick Foundation’s Role

Through their thoughtful funding, the Fenwick Foundation has made it possible for Guest House residents to attend local theater performances, visit cultural institutions, and enjoy restorative experiences outside of their usual surroundings. Their support helps us cover transportation, entry fees, meals, and other logistics that make these excursions possible.

These experiences give our residents the dignity and agency to reimagine their place in the world—and for many, it’s the first time they feel a sense of inclusion in something bigger than themselves.

A Lasting Impact

Guest House reentry residents on a field tripOne resident recently shared after a trip to a local museum: “I never thought I’d be in a place like that again, just enjoying life and learning something new. It made me feel human.”

This is the heart of what we do—offering second chances, yes, but also reminding every woman at Guest House that she deserves joy, dignity, and the opportunity to grow.

We are deeply grateful to the Fenwick Foundation for recognizing the impact of these experiences and investing in the journeys of the women we serve.

Together, we’re not just changing lives—we’re creating brighter futures.