Trigger Warning: We are heartbroken to share that we recently lost a member of our CORRAL community. Caprice Burrell died by suicide this past weekend. Caprice joined CORRAL during the depths of COVID and was part of our pandemic “homeschool pod.” She achieved so much growth and academic success before she left the program in 2023. We are remembering her love for her horse partner, Panzer, and her beautiful smile and spirit.
We had the privilege to see Caprice explore creative writing during her tenure in the Riding Academy. In an assignment that prompted students to take a photo of “the best part of me,” she chose to document and reflect on her smile. She wrote, “The best part of me is my smile. I chose this part of me because I like the way it holds my face together.”
Caprice’s writing from her experience through CORRAL’s partnership with the Literacy and Community Initiative was praised as “thoughtful and reflective. Caprice reminds us to appreciate and reflect on the positive impact people have on our lives.” We are reflecting on our time with Caprice and holding her memory close. Please pray for her family, friends, and the staff and volunteers who had the privilege of working with her. Be patient with us this week as we make space for grief and loss. This is one of those moments at CORRAL that we hoped we would never experience.
Mental health issues are a real health issue affecting our youth. We have lost two alumni this year to mental-health related deaths. This is not a tragedy we have experienced before in our 15 years serving youth. For all of our alumni, CORRAL is always your home and we are always your community. Please reach out if you need help. We love you and there’s help and hope.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. These services are free and confidential.
