More Than Service: Isa Bernal ‘27 on the Power of Showing Up
When Gulliver Prep student Isa Bernal ‘27 first began accompanying her grandfather to La Casa Divina Providencia, a shelter for young mothers in Colombia, she was just seven or eight years old. At the time, her involvement was simple: organizing clothing drives, collecting supplies, and selling cookies to family members to raise money for the girls living there.
Nearly a decade later, what began as a family tradition of giving back has become a personal commitment to meaningful service. As Isa grew older, she began to recognize that making a difference isn’t only about meeting someone’s immediate needs. It’s also about understanding their circumstances, building relationships, and finding ways to make an impact that lasts.
La Casa Divina Providencia, a home run by nuns, serves vulnerable girls and young women, typically between the ages of 12 and 18, many of whom are pregnant or raising children. Some have experienced sexual assault or homelessness. Beyond providing a safe place to live, the organization offers education and vocational training, helping residents develop skills that can support their independence.
Finding Her Own Way to Give Back
Isa’s grandfather has been involved with the organization for years and first introduced her to its work. During visits to Colombia, where much of her family lives, Isa began spending time with the girls, listening to their experiences and watching their children grow.
As she approached their age herself, those visits took on new meaning. “It could have been me, my cousin, or someone else I know,” Isa reflected. “Thinking about that made everything much more personal.”
A conversation with her mother eventually prompted Isa to consider how she could contribute beyond traditional donations. They discussed the importance of values such as kindness, self-respect, and gratitude, and how the girls’ difficult life experiences might shape their understanding of those ideas.
An avid reader, Isa began thinking about what she could share through writing. Inspired in part by her grandfather, who creates small books filled with inspirational messages, she decided to write something specifically for the girls at the shelter. Her first book explored values such as love and self-worth, using short explanations and simple illustrations. A second focused on spirituality, inspired by her late grandmother, who had played an important role in shaping Isa’s own beliefs. Most recently, she created a gratitude journal, inviting readers to reflect on the positive aspects of their lives.
The books are small enough to keep on a nightstand, designed to be accessible and easy to revisit. Her grandfather helps with printing, while her uncle designs the covers, making the project a family effort that connects generations through a shared commitment to service. Initially, Isa wondered whether the books were too simple to matter. But encouragement from her mother, along with feedback from her grandfather that the girls enjoyed the books and were asking for more, motivated her to continue. “At first, I thought the books were almost too simple to make an impact,” she recalled.
A Commitment That Goes Beyond the Pages
Isa’s commitment extends well beyond the pages. During visits to Colombia, often around holidays and summer breaks, she spends time at La Casa Divina Providencia, bringing snacks, sitting with the girls, and hearing about what they have been learning. Over the years, she has watched young mothers raise their children and begin preparing for lives beyond the shelter. Those experiences have shaped her understanding of what it means to give back. What began as a way to provide essential resources has grown into a desire to offer encouragement and something the girls can carry with them as they navigate their lives.
For Isa, community service has become more than a project or an obligation to fulfill. It is part of who she is, shaped by her family’s example and the relationships she has built. Her story reflects Gulliver’s belief that generosity is not simply measured by what we give, but by how thoughtfully we respond to the needs of others.
As she considers writing a fourth book, potentially focused more deeply on self-worth, Isa remains committed to the girls whose experiences first inspired her to do more. Her journey is a reminder that meaningful service doesn’t always require a grand gesture. Sometimes, it begins with showing up, paying attention, and discovering how something you love can make a difference in someone else’s life.
