COMMUNITY-BASED RESOURCE GUIDE FOR Post-Traumatic Stress, Depression,

and Spiritual GrowthAll Programs are 100% Cost-Free for

Service Members, Veterans, and Families

Our Nation’s warriors selflessly defend our freedom and protect our way of life. As a result of their experiences, many service members

and veterans exhibit an increased prevalence of post-

traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, depression,

anxiety, and substance abuse, all of which contribute to

thoughts of suicide.

PTSD affects eight million Americans each year and

regrettably, many of these individuals are suffering in silence. The reality of living

with PTSD is a daily struggle for a growing number of veterans and service members.

This condition has far reaching financial and emotional impacts on those who are

close to someone who is struggling; over 135 additional people are affected.

Studies have demonstrated that developing individual resilience is a vital defense to

preventing the hopelessness which can spiral into depression or suicidal ideation;

building this resilience requires cultivating four specific areas: mental, physical,

social, and spiritual fitness. While the current pharmaceutical and psychotherapy

approaches to prevent suicide have merit and undoubtingly help alleviate some

struggles, they often fail to address two key elements of resilience…social and

spiritual fitness.

The organizations highlighted in this booklet offer treatment in all four pillars of

resilience with a special focus on spiritual and social fitness. I have personally talked

with the leaders of these groups and I fully support their efforts. These groups have

helped heal thousands of veterans and active duty members and families at no cost to

the individuals. I encourage you to contact these organizations and trust them to lead

you to recovery.

Vicky J. HartzlerMember of Congress Missouri 4th District

Although the world is full of suffering…it is also full of overcoming it. — Helen Keller

CONTENTS

Faith-Based Veteran Service Alliance (FBVSA) ................................................4

Mighty Oaks Foundation .......................................................................................5

Shield of Faith (S.O.F.) Missions ..........................................................................6

The Warrior’s Journey .............................................................................................7

Reboot Recovery ....................................................................................................8

Soul Survivor Outdoor (SSO) ................................................................................9

Operation Restored Warrior ............................................................................... 10

Heal Our Patriots / Samaritan’s Purse ............................................................ 11

Peterson Outdoor Ministries .............................................................................. 12

Charlie 22 Outdoors ............................................................................................. 13

Code 1 Wellness .................................................................................................... 14

Front Cover Photo: Unknown, U.S. Army Back Cover Photo: Spc. Alex Kirk Amen, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment), U.S. Army

4

Damon Friedman – Founder and ChairmanKevin Weaver – Founder and Board Secretary (813)333-1303http://fbvsa.org/

Faith-Based Veteran Service Alliance (FBVSA)

Program Description: The Faith Based Veteran Service Alliance (FBVSA) was founded in 2020 by a group of like-minded veteran service organizations (VSOs) standing together on a unified front to offer faith-based programs to veterans who are struggling and have lost hope in regular, mainstream treatment options. The mission of the FBVSA is to bring hope, healing, and restoration to our Nation’s warriors. We provide active-duty military, veterans, and their families with viable faith- based programs that lead to psychological stability, physical strength, spiritual growth, and community involvement.

The purpose of the FBVSA is to provide ADVOCACY for the well-being of our veterans and families and to EMPOWER the efforts of each alliance member.

Many of these warriors are unable to reintegrate back into civilian life, leaving their families to deal with the aftermath of broken homes and, at times, suicide. By aligning their lives to Biblical principles, the warriors we serve can, once again, successfully lead their families, their communities, and our Nation. The organizations that make up FBVSA, both independently and through joint efforts, tackle this critical issue head-on as one “unstoppable force for good.”

Our military warriors face many issues, but together we are bringing a solution.

Photo: Sgt. Jessica M. Kuhn/XVIII Abn. Corps PAO, U.S. Army

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Chad Robichaux – Founder and President (951) 240-3011 https://www.mightyoaksprograms.org/

Mighty Oaks Foundation (FBVSA Member)

Photo: Mighty Oaks Foundation Website

Program Description: The Mighty Oaks foundation is committed to serving broken-hearted warriors. The journey begins with intensive peer-based programs that utilize instructional sessions, camaraderie, and team building activities that are designed to challenge our Warriors to overcome their past experiences and move forward into a life of purpose. Our programs take place across America on Military Bases, at our Outposts (15), and on rural ranch lodges (4). Each facility allows the Warriors to appreciate the peace of nature, and an “un-plugged” experience while they focus on the challenges they face. Warrior attendees are fully sponsored for training, meals, and lodging. Follow-on care is available. Staff members are all alumni of the program.

Our leadership team has the unique ability to connect with the Warriors and their families. Since all instructors are program alumni, they each have experienced tragedy and hardships through their service to America. Having endured deployments, family separations, learning to handle the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress (both in war and at home), the instructors are able to connect to the students on a peer level, opening a forum that is not found in clinical environments.

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Damon Friedman – Founder and President(813) 920-0012 http://www.sofmissions.org

Shield of Faith (S.O.F.) Missions (FBVSA Member)

Photo: SOF Mission Website

Program Description: SOF Missions offers a unique approach to combat veteran suicide and provide care through a whole health interdisciplinary method — the Resiliency Project is a four-pillar program that addresses the areas of psychological, physical, spiritual, and social wellness. Care plans are provided through four main delivery methods: Clinics, Retreats, Coordinated Care, and Connect Care. Veterans who apply and are accepted receive up to 365 days of care. Whole health care plans are customized to meet the individual needs of each veteran. The Resiliency Project services are funded 100% through our generous donor base and all contributions to SOF Missions go directly to support veteran programs.

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Kevin Weaver – CEO and Co-Founder(417) 567-4800https://twj.org

The Warrior’s Journey (FBVSA Member)

Program Description: The Warrior’s Journey (TWJ) is a company that provides an online interactive community, and services giving support, to include one-on-one connections for warriors and their families. In addition to the online support, their staff give pre/post-deployment workshops, chaplain development workshops, and have a Resiliency Center in Landstuhl, Germany just outside of the main gate of Ramstein Air Base. Through a vetted network of 67 partners, including the VA and the DoD, they help triage the needs of warriors and their families. These partners allow them to provide expertise and resources the warrior’s and their families may encounter during and after their journey of military service. Due to these connections, they have presented to more than 120,000 in 2019, and successfully assisted 207 suicidal individuals in getting the assistance they need.

TWJ addresses issues that are unique to the military community. They work to build a spiritual strength as the core integrator of all components of resiliency. Spiritual strength is anchored by the faith of God. A living faith, providing unshakable hope and sense of purpose is required to endure and prevail over any challenge. TWJ provides the opportunity for warriors and their families to experience “The Journey” by addressing these areas and additionally offers “partners” who will help them belong to communities that exist to deal with their specific life issues. Launched in October 2016, The Warrior’s Journey has connected with over 600,000 military members, veterans, and their families.

Photo: Staff Sgt. Jordan E. Gilbert, U.S. Marine Corps

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Evan Owens – Executive Director (931) 292-2011https://rebootrecovery.com

Reboot Recovery (FBVSA Member)

Program Description: REBOOT Combat Recovery is a 12-week faith-based trauma healing course designed to help combat veterans and their families recover from the spiritual and moral wounds of war. Since 2011, thousands of REBOOT graduates have seen their hope restored and lives transformed. At REBOOT locations across the country, military families are healing, divorce rates are dropping, medication abuse is decreasing, and suicide numbers are being reduced. Programs are free of charge for service members and veterans.

REBOOT also offers a program for First Responders. They are currently offering a virtual program that is available to anyone.

Our mission is clear: To help people overcome trauma. We do this through our faith-based courses, training, and online tools. Our programs are led by people who get it because they’ve walked through trauma themselves and have come out stronger on the other side. REBOOT courses offer practical help for the entire family, and since 2011, over 9,000 people have experienced healing.

Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kory Alsberry, U.S. Navy

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Rick Wolf – Founder and President (760) 230-4170https://www.soulsurvivoroutdoor.org

Soul Survivor Outdoor (SSO) (FBVSA Member)

Photo: SSO’s Facebook page

Program Description: Serving active duty military through outdoor adventure and a relationship with Jesus Christ by:

• REACHING service members with the gospel of Christ.

• CONNECTING members through group Bible studies led by fellow service members.

• BUILDING a Christ-centered foundation for living.

• DEPLOYING on short-term missions locally and abroad.

• SUSTAINING a relationship with Christ through fellow service members leading and mentoring others.

• IMPACTING the world and an entire generation for Christ.

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Paul Lavelle – Founder and President (309) 333-3140Email: info@operationrestoredwarrior.org https://operationrestoredwarrior.org

Operation Restored Warrior

Program Description: The warrior who goes off to combat is often not the same man or woman who returns. For those who face overwhelming challenges when they return, Operation Restored Warrior (ORW) is here to Rescue, Rebuild, and Restore. If you are a veteran or active duty warrior facing these challenges, ORW stands with you as fellow veteran warriors, and will walk the path with you to take on the battles of anger, depression, cynicism, rage, addictions (in all it’s forms),high risk behaviors, lust, resignation and all the other means of numbing your wounded heart.

Our faith-based organization for veterans and active duty is dedicated to helping at risk veterans overcome the effects of combat and life. ORW seeks to eliminate suicides! Our mission is accomplished through events called “Drop Zones“ (DZ). Our goal is to help heroes find a life of great purpose, lasting freedom, and irreversible change. DZ’s are two and five-day resident programs hosted in beautiful and engaging venues across the United States. Each warrior experiences the DZ alongside facilitators who have walked the same or similar paths as a veteran or active duty member.

Based on our 12 years experience, working with hundreds of veterans and active duty, we believe that “Psychology Reveals and Jesus Heals.”

Photo: Operation Resoration Warrior’s Facebook Page

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Franklin Graham – President and CEO (800) 528-1980 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we- do/about-operation-heal-our-patriots

Heal Our Patriots / Samaritan’s Purse

Program Description: Operation Heal Our Patriots gives wounded veterans and their spouses the opportunity for spiritual refreshment, physical renewal, and marriage enrichment. Couples participate in Biblically based seminars that help strengthen their relationships with God and others and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation with outdoor activities at our Alaskan wilderness lodge. We continue to support these men and women after their initial stay, keeping their spiritual needs and marriages a priority.

Samaritan Lodge Alaska stands peacefully within the great wilderness of America’s last frontier. It is here, among mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and wildlife that we minister to the needs of America’s own victims of war. Military service members and their spouses have the opportunity to stay for one week, including travel time.

Each day, our on-site staff chaplain leads devotions and our Marriage Resiliency Workshop. This weeklong course offers couples time away from daily pressures and distractions to study the primary dynamics that have the greatest impact on a marriage. The workshop concludes with a worship service, which affirms and celebrates couples’ relationship with God and one another, amid the marvels of His creation. Travel is scheduled and paid for by Samaritan’s Purse.

Photo: Operation Heal Our Patriots

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Tron Peterson – Director (417) 529-0115 https://petersonoutdoors.org

Peterson Outdoor Ministries

Program Description: Peterson Outdoor Ministries (POM) mission is to provide faith based outdoor recreational therapy for injured and recovering Veterans and their families, as well as youth and adults with disabilities or terminal illness.

Peterson Outdoors Ministries is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization with a governing board of directors. Founded in 2006 with an emphasis on veterans, and those with disabilities, Peterson Outdoors Ministries has expanded its outreach to include Military Chaplains, Gold Star and Blue Star Families and First Responders. POM’s outdoor recreational therapy has been expanding to the following states: Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Tennessee and to the Countries of Canada, and Africa. Every event offered by POM is free of charge to all who attend, and all expenses are covered.

The Lodge of Hope, another tool of Peterson Outdoors Ministries, is a 7,000 sq. ft. disabled accessible lodge located on 200 acres in Missouri, with a 35-acre private lake. Lodge of Hope is the headquarters of Peterson Outdoors Ministries and serves as a year-round retreat center where veterans, and those with disabilities, can come and partake in therapeutic outdoor activities such as deer, turkey, and waterfowl hunting, as well as fishing, horseback riding, boating, kayaking, and more! Lodge of Hope is a peaceful place where those who come can find Hope, Restoration, and Healing!

Hundreds of lives have been changed, marriages have been restored and many suicides have been prevented. Our goal is to provide hope and healing to those who have sacrificed much so that we can live in Freedom. Many veterans who have participated in past POM events have returned to volunteer throughout the years which is a testimony to the organization’s success.

Photo: Peterson Outdoor Ministries

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Scott Hettinger – Executive Director(417) 437-7247 http://charlie22outdoors.com

Charlie 22 Outdoors

Program Description: Charlie 22 Outdoors supports veterans who are experiencing PTSD and other disabilities. They offer treatment, fellowship, and spiritual refuge by providing outdoor activities to our nation’s veterans with the goal of showing them there is hope, love, and a personal meaning in God’s grace.

Charlie 22 Outdoors was founded, as a result of our passion, to “Serve those who have already Served.” We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based out of Webb City, Missouri. We are volunteer-based including our Board of Directors.

The personal demons that veterans face from PTSD are very real. We provide our events free of charge to those we serve and their families. We cover all expenses including travel, lodging, food, tags, guides, taxidermy, and meat processing. We have provided services to veterans and active duty personnel from all over the country, including Hawaii. Our events take place throughout the country as well. This year alone we will serve approximately 300. We believe that healing can take place when a relationship with Jesus Christ is formed.

Photo: Charlie 22 Outdoors’ Facebook Page

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Vanessa Kennedy – CEO Founder(816) 372-2948https://www.code1wellness.org

Code 1 Wellness

Program Description: Code 1 Wellness’s primary programming includes therapy/counseling, nutritional, spiritual, and physical wellness for all First Responders, Military current, retired, or veterans along with their immediate family. Code 1’s certified first responder counselors (CFRCs) provide evidence-based behavioral therapeutic techniques and modalities to address many of the common traumas and stressors experienced by those in uniform (e.g., PTSD, anxiety/depression, substance use, marital and family issues, mood disorders, addictions, anger, domestic violence, parenting skills, and suicidal ideation).

Code 1’s wellness program includes individualized plans and resources for nutritional, holistic, and healthy lifestyle services, as well as integrative wellness services such as acupuncture, massage, yoga, and more. The wellbeing of First Responders and Military members goes past just their mental state and that is what Code 1 provides; a whole body, mind, spiritual, emotional, psychical health and wellness. Code 1 takes an out of the box approach to this as most of the staff are either first responders, military or immediate family so they know that dealing with the stressors of the job are not like a normal job.

Code 1 is here 24-hours a day 7-days a week to offer any support that we can for the people who have given so much for safety and wellbeing.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Kimberly Hackbarth, 4th SBCT, 2nd ID Public Affairs Office

Veterans Crisis Line https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

(800) 273-8255, press 1 | Text: 838255

CONGRESSWOMAN VICKY HARTZLER

Washington, DC Office2235 Rayburn HOB

Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-2876

Hartzler.house.gov Congresswoman.Hartzler

@Rephartzler @Rephartzler