The Visions Blog

Turtle Homes & Gardens

VISIONS BVI participants are integrating more into the community and sharpening their carpentry skills by working with our partner organizations.

A group of young people paint and clean old tires in an outdoor garden area, surrounded by green pallet planters and plants, next to a white building on a sunny day.

A handwritten note in pink ink reads: Today I built a house for a tortise named bubbles in carpentry. The tortise belongs to a local 9-year-old girl. I was so proud of myself for doing it all by myself. It was hard but I cant wait to give it to her.

Two girls sit on the ground outside, painting a small wooden object white. One holds the object steady while the other paints. A can of red paint, brushes, and water bottles are nearby on the grass and pavement.

A handwritten letter on lined paper describes experiences working at Visions, including building dog houses and working on garden beds, reflecting on the uniqueness and challenges of each worksite.

A child uses an electric drill to screw wooden boards together outdoors, wearing a hat, sunglasses, and shorts. Grass, tools, and other materials are visible in the background.

A handwritten note on lined paper discusses the author’s experiences at Visions, mentioning activities like swimming, talking with friends, and debating a break. The message ends by saying goodnight and promising to see the reader in two weeks.

Two people work in a small garden with raised beds beside a building on a sunny day. Gardening tools and green plants are visible around them, with a partly cloudy sky in the background.

Do you have a VISIONS Story?

Fill out an interview for our Spotlight Series or submit a story of your own format or creative expression.

Share your Story

Spotlight: Grace Hamill, VISIONS Alumni

April 29, 2026

Grace Hamill spent two weeks in the Dominican Republic with VISIONS—no phone, new friends, and an experience she calls one of the best of her life. Now she’s headed to Peru.

Animal Welfare, Environmental Integrity & What We Eat on VISIONS Programs

April 20, 2026

VISIONS is taking a careful look at the food we serve during our community service programs for high school students, and we aim to reduce our dependence on factory farm-based animal products by 75%.

Spotlight: Sufi Kreismann, 2025 VISIONS Dominican Republic Alum

December 12, 2025

A teen volunteer reflects on her life-changing summer with VISIONS in the Dominican Republic—immersing in local culture, building community, working with kids, and discovering new confidence in her future path.

Your VIA: How Teens Turn Service Into Purpose With VISIONS

November 14, 2025

VISIONS new VIA—Vision, Impact, Action—helps teens turn summer service into lasting purpose. Through reflection, real-world projects, and a tech-free environment, students gain confidence, clarity, and direction long after the program ends.