We invite you into a living story—shaped by nature, reflection, and the courage to live your truth.
Shadybrook creates spaces where we can discover our inner wholeness and ignite the courage to live it forward.
Our Mission
Our Story
Shadybrook Center for Personal Growth began in 1955 as the Laymen’s Retreat Project, part of a nationwide movement to bring personal growth and values-centered living out of the ivory towers and into the lives of everyday people.
We leased the beautiful Shadybrook House at Holden Arboretum, the former home of Arthur D. Baldwin, and dedicated it as a retreat and research center. For the next 25 years, Shadybrook offered bold, out-of-the-ordinary programs for its time—wellness, ecology, stress management, yoga, A Course in Miracles study groups, and more. These experiences helped people explore the ordinary and the extraordinary. They helped people discover their inner selves and ignite the courage to live it forward in a world that needs their unique spark.
Though we’ve moved locations, we carry the spirit of that first home in our name. In 2005, we officially changed our name to Shadybrook in honor of where it all began. What started as a house in the shade, near a flowing brook, has become something more: a living symbol of fresh, flowing ideas; a place where people gather together, deeply connected to Nature, rooted in wisdom, and fueled by purpose.
Today, Shadybrook lives on as a part of the vibrant community at Shore Cultural Centre in Euclid, Ohio. We offer a nourishing Reiki program, honor Nature’s rhythms through seasonal celebrations and other programs, foster a vibrant membership community, and offer so many ways to learn, explore, and connect. We also offer virtual programs that serve people across the globe.
We’ve always welcomed the curious, the wise, and the seekers. Through every season of change, one thing has remained: our dedication to values-centered living, personal transformation, and a community where all are truly seen.
Our Values
Our work isn't based on a particular religious affiliation or ideology. We honor many spiritual and philosophical paths.
These are the core values that guide our work.
Ground in Nature
All life is sacred, connected, and infused with Energy. We tune in to Nature’s rhythms and cycles to find greater balance and healing. We honor our responsibility as a part of Nature to take care of the Earth, one another, and ourselves.
Center in Community
Shadybrook strives to be an inclusive community of individuals. We operate with honesty and integrity. Each of us brings our own perspectives and authentic experiences to the table. We can each participate at our own level of comfort. Community provides the safety, belonging, and relatedness to support, inspire, challenge, and love one another.
Shadybrook holds space for conscious conversations that represent diverse perspectives and open up the world to each other. We facilitate active listening and compassionate dialogue.
Explore Life's Mysteries
We embrace life’s big questions. We hold space for curiosity and creativity. We provide a multitude of experiences that explore the Mysteries of the Universe. We recognize and respect many spiritual and philosophical paths.
Transform Ourselves and the World
A key step in transformation is to journey within. We honor who you are at your core. We enjoy opportunities for healing, balance, growth, and support. Personal transformation empowers us to show up for ourselves, our relationships, our communities, and our world in more life affirming ways.