JOURNALISTIC WRITING

There are many organizations – both online and in print – that are interested in stories about returning veterans.  Volunteers in this area would help us research these organizations, find contacts, pitch stories and write submissions.

GRANT WRITING

Volunteers in this area would research foundations and their giving critieria, and would provide us with lists of foundations that it would be appropriate for us to approach; volunteers would also take existing HPW LOI’s and proposals and develop new ones relevant to these foundations.

GRAPHIC ART

We need help developing professional event flyers and brochures for prospective donors.

COMMUNICATIONS

We need to develop an outreach strategy to let Post 9-/11 and Persian Gulf veterans know about the services we offer.  We would like help in identifying and contacting organizations that serve veterans and who would post our events to their websites, calendars, newsletters and Facebook pages.   Research may involve online searches, visiting local VA centers and other military organizations in the Bay Area.

ACCOUNTING

Volunteers in this area would help us set up and maintain accounting records suitable for a nonprofit of our size.

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I want to thank you again for this trip.  I really can’t put into words what this trip meant for me, but I can say that this was easily one of the most meaningful and special experiences in my life.  I got more out of this 4 day trip than I did in the entire 5 months that I was in the Menlo Park PTSD program.

I am really happy to know that there are people like you in the world.  You had nothing to gain from putting on a trip like this, but you gave so much of yourself.  You and Chris have started something really amazing.

There is something really special about you that I can’t put my finger on, but I felt it when I first met you on Thursday morning and every time that we talked.  You are so full of love and there is this lightness about you, both of which are very inspiring to me.  Thank you for being you!  I hope to see you on the next retreat.

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There are a lot of people who talk about helping veterans, then there are the people who do occasionally help veterans in one way or another.  There are also people who donate money or time.  People help in the ways that they can.  You have done far more than most people I have interacted with who profess to want to help veterans.  You have created something from the ground up that is having a profound impact on the way that veterans are thinking and feeling and getting through the day.  You have created something that is so special it attracts veterans back year after year to get a taste of what they experienced with you on previous encounters.  You are giving away tools to help combat veterans survive.  When I use the word survive I mean that literally.  Your tools are helping to keep veterans from killing themselves but also helping them heal and get to a place where they can reenter society in a very real and productive way.  You have achieved much with your love and compassion and willingness to reach out to a group of people that admittedly are not the most warm and fuzzy group.

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I was so impressed with your vision and compassion and willingness to help veterans.  I remember wondering if you would feel the same way after you had worked with veterans for a couple of years.  I also wondered if your vision would ever become a reality.  I have watched many people with grand visions for helping veterans over the last five years fail for a variety of reasons.  You and Lee however, have done something really special.  You have not only continued to do what you set out to but your efforts are producing amazing results in people.

I saw how you and Lee never rested or even took much time to yourselves.  You were always engaged in deep conversations with people checking in on them and making sure they were getting through their journey.  You even took the time to care for me physically and emotionally when I was hurt.  Listening to my stories and supporting my pain.  Holding space for the shift that was happening in my consciousness as I took one more baby step forward in my healing process.  You helped my to see what a profound impact the war has had on me and to see that I will probably spend the rest of my life healing from the impact of the war in Iraq.  I am forever in your debt for your kindness, compassion and concern.  Your open heart and love surrounded and supported me in time of great emotional upheaval.  I thank you for that and know that there are many other grateful veterans out there today.

Anyone who was a part of that closing circle knows that something special happened on the water in the summer of 2011.  You and Lee reached one of those groups that is almost unreachable to most professionals.  You did that by teaching simple tools and creating a space for us to reach out to each other.  I do not feel this way but I have heard many veterans say they only trust each other.  You allowed veterans to help each other and look at the incredible results!  Thank you for having the grace and the presence to do that.  I know that we are not the nicest group of people to work with sometimes and I know that the emotions and experiences are still very raw for many of us veterans.  You are a very special woman Chris.  You have a gift as a healer I hope you continue to share your gift with veterans for many years.

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