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The Coin We Hold Retreat

Before there were conversations, activities, and moments of discovery, there was a poem—a simple reminder that our value is never lost, even when life leaves its marks.

Take two minutes to watch the spoken-word piece that inspired The Coin We Hold.

 

Are you ready for a treasure hunt?

The Coin We Hold is an experiential retreat for anyone who has ever wondered:

  • Do I belong here?
  • Am I enough?
  • Do I have something worthwhile to bring to the table?

This is an invitation to a different kind of treasure hunt—not to find your value, but to discover you never lost it.

Through meaningful conversations, interactive experiences, and personal reflection, you’ll:

  • Uncover the burdens and stories you’ve been carrying.
  • Rediscover the value, purpose, and hope that have always been within you.
  • Recognize the unique gifts only you can bring.
  • Leave with greater confidence to bring those gifts to the table.

Ready to begin your journey?

Choose your retreat location:

South Colorado Springs
The Unbreakable Ministries
Friday & Saturday, July 31–August 1, 2026
Reflect • Rest • Return

North Colorado Springs
Springs Community Church
Friday & Saturday, August 21–22, 2026
Reflect • Rest • Return

Sponsor a retreat participant and help someone join the treasure hunt

Want to help someone else attend?
Help make the treasure hunt possible for someone who may not otherwise be able to attend.


The Journey

Participants journey through reflection, conversation, experiential activities, and practical tools designed to help them search their hearts.

Along the way, they often discover not only the burdens they have always known about, but also hidden burdens they never realized were weighing them down.

As they continue the journey, they uncover Calm, Clarity, Curiosity, Creativity, Confidence, Courage, Connection, and Compassion.

 

The Choice

At the end of the journey, participants are invited to pause and consider what they will carry forward.

Some choose to lay their burdens down and move forward. Others choose to continue reflecting until they are ready.

No one is pressured. The choice belongs to them.

Because true change cannot be forced. It can only be chosen.

 

What Participants Are Saying

“It was renewing strength, empowerment, encouragement, and refilling my cup.”
— Sophia

“This retreat was such a blessing to not only attend but to help set up. The Coin We Hold helped me open my eyes to how low my self-worth had become. It gave me insight and tools I needed to begin this journey of discovering my worth.

Through interactive activities, speakers, and other attendees, I gained not only a greater understanding of my value, but friendships that will last a lifetime.

Thank you, Melanie Sanchez, for your passion and dedication to helping others navigate life.”
— Cristal

 

Real people. Real stories. Real journeys.

Discovering value, purpose, and hope together.

My Retreat Friends


Bring The Coin We Hold to Your Community

 

Whether people are navigating recovery, loss, leadership, personal growth, or life’s unexpected transitions, this retreat meets them where they are.

The Coin We Hold is designed for people from many walks of life. Inspired in part by the symbolism of a recovery desire chip, its message is universal. Don’t we all carry a desire for healing, hope, belonging, purpose, freedom, or a fresh start?

The Coin We Hold has been designed for communities such as:

• Recovery and sober living programs
• Treatment and behavioral health organizations
• Churches and faith communities
• Nonprofits and community organizations
• Leadership teams and corporate retreats
• Conferences, speaking engagements, and special events

Formats may include keynote presentations, workshops, half-day retreats, full-day retreats, and customized experiences.

If you are interested in bringing The Coin We Hold to your organization, we would love to start a conversation.

Let's Talk


Laying Down the Burdens

When they are ready, participants may choose to lay down what no longer serves them and move forward with what they discovered.

 

Get Curious

What are you carrying that may be weighing you down?

What strengths, dreams, or pieces of yourself have been buried beneath the demands of life?

What might become possible if you gave yourself the space to pause, reflect, and explore those questions?

The treasure you find may not be what you expected at all.
Come join us for the treasure hunt.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this retreat for?

The Coin We Hold is for anyone who has ever paused at a doorway and wondered what would happen if people really knew them.

  • Will I be accepted if people really knew me?
  • Will they see my mistakes before they see me?
  • Will they notice my scars before they notice my strengths?
  • Do I really belong here?
  • Do I have anything worthwhile to bring to the table?

If you’ve ever carried those questions into a classroom, a workplace, a church, a family gathering, or any new opportunity, this retreat is for you.

Together, we’ll explore the stories we’ve believed about ourselves, rediscover the value that has always been there, and leave able to dream bigger than when we arrived.

 

Yes… and no.

The Coin We Hold was created from my personal faith. My relationship with God is at the heart of who I am and has shaped everything you’ll experience during this retreat.

My journey has also included seasons when I wasn’t sure I belonged in a church. I know what it feels like to walk into a room carrying questions, walls, and uncertainty. I haven’t forgotten what that felt like.

Because of that, I’ve intentionally created The Coin We Hold to be a place where people are welcomed with dignity and respect. Whether you’re a committed Christian, exploring faith, part of another faith tradition, or have no faith background at all, you are welcome here.

My goal is not to pressure anyone or tell them what they should believe. My hope is to create a space where people can rediscover their value, reflect honestly, and leave able to dream bigger than when they arrived—or, if that’s where you are today, simply able to lift your head a little higher.

 

No. Sharing is always your choice. Many activities include personal reflection, but you will never be required to speak in front of the group or share anything you’re not comfortable sharing.

 

I understand that feeling because I’ve been there.

Twenty-nine years ago, I attended my first retreat by myself after the friend I had planned to go with had to cancel. I walked in carrying my own questions, my own walls, and wondering if I really belonged.

That experience stayed with me.

As I’ve created The Coin We Hold, I’ve often remembered what it felt like to walk through those doors. That’s one of the reasons this retreat is intentionally designed to help people feel welcomed, respected, and accepted without pressure.

We believe every person brings something valuable to the table—including you.

 

No. The Coin We Hold is a Friday evening and Saturday retreat. Overnight accommodations are not included.

 

Yes! Four meals are included with your registration.

Sharing meals is an important part of The Coin We Hold experience. Gathering around the table creates opportunities to slow down, continue conversations, build community, and simply enjoy being together without the interruption of leaving to find food.

Meals are thoughtfully planned to be simple, nourishing, and welcoming. During registration, you’ll have the opportunity to let us know about any dietary restrictions or allergies. While we can’t guarantee we can accommodate every need, we’ll do our best to provide options whenever possible.

 

Come as you are.

We recommend bringing:

  • Comfortable clothing
  • A refillable water bottle
  • A light sweater or jacket, as room temperatures can vary
  • A notebook or journal and a pen if you’d like to take additional notes

Your retreat materials and four meals will be provided. Just bring an open mind, a willingness to reflect, and yourself.

One more thing… you’ll learn part of my story during the retreat. Because of that, I don’t provide candy or sugary snacks throughout the weekend. If you know you’ll want something sweet during the day, you’re welcome to bring your own. (I do have a special treat planned for the end.)

 

I understand dietary restrictions because I have some of my own. As I’ve planned the meals for The Coin We Hold, I’ve intentionally chosen foods that can accommodate many common dietary needs whenever possible.

During registration, you’ll have the opportunity to let us know about any dietary restrictions or food allergies. While I can’t guarantee that every need can be accommodated, I’ll do my very best to provide options that allow everyone to enjoy the meals and feel included.

You’ll never be an inconvenience for asking.

 

We want everyone to be able to participate. Please let us know your needs during registration so we can make reasonable accommodations whenever possible.

 

We understand that plans sometimes change.

If you cancel on or before the registration closing date, you will receive a full refund.

After the registration closing date, refunds are no longer available because we have already committed funds for meals, materials, supplies, facility expenses, and other retreat-related costs.

If Learning to Shine cancels the retreat, you will receive a full refund or, when appropriate, may choose to transfer your registration to a future retreat.

Learning to Shine reserves the right to make exceptions in extraordinary circumstances.