PROJECT SANCTUARY: Where Military Families Reconnect
PROJECT SANCTUARY Parker, CO 720-561-9193
Nominated by: Marci Smith (marci2727@aol.com)
Project Sanctuary is an innovative veteran non-profit organization that brings military families together following deployments. During a 6 day retreat in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado PROJECT SANCTUARY provides recreational activities as a form of diversion therapy to help military men and women and their families reconnect, heal from lengthy separations and begin to communicate again. Our program continues with follow on support for two years, assisting families with housing needs, job placement and veteran assistance. We host all veterans regardless of rank or branch of service (active, retired or veteran) and our families come from all over the US. We understand that the family serves too and its's our mission to help these families become whole. Our military families are a vital part of our communities...they sacrifice so much for us, they deserve our support and thanks!
23 comments
Scott Westfall • over 14 years ago
Vote for Project Sanctuary! For more info on this fantastic organization and how it gives back to the men and women who serve our nation, go to http://projectsanctuary.us
Ashley Scroggs • over 14 years ago
THIS WAS THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY / MARRIAGE! THESE HAVE TO BE THE BEST GROUP OF PEOPLE EVER! THEY ARE DOING WONDERFUL THINGS!!!!!!!! ITS AMAZIG THE LIVES THEY CHANGE!! HATS OFF TO HEATHER ! IT TAKES A LOT TO PUT ALL THIS TOGETHER BUT SHE DOESNT GIVE UP UNITL THE JOB IS DONE!!!!!!!!!
Kristi Collins Cox • over 14 years ago
My family attended a Project Sanctuary Retreat in 2011. I am an Army Veteran & a military spouse with 4 children. PS has changed my life & given me the ability to reach out to other military families in need of support. The work they do is so important & they are calling attention to important concerns such as PTSD, TBI & soldiers/veterans with disabilities. They helped our family reconnect after a 12 month deployment and have been a source of inspiration & support to this date.
Kelly Benson • over 14 years ago
Project Sanctuary...Totally Awesome! The Executive Director, President, Board Members, Staff, Volunteers, YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch and of course OUR MILITARY FAMILIES sooo Wonderful!!! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! Always doing Great things for our Military Families! Project Sanctuary is like an Aspen Grove...Never Ending Always Growing.....
R Tews • over 14 years ago
Project Sanctuary is amazing. They are the first to have understood that military and transitioning veteran families truly need a life changing whole family challenge to restart. They are also the first to have understood that the process of recovering takes a full two year process. Almost every other group pulls back just before full stabilization occurs and this leaves them at risk. PS honestly saved our family at a critical moment. They showed us our strength and honored our struggles and sacrifices. Amazing commitment to empowering our military families into the positive future they carry in their hearts. Their executive director, board and staff and volunteers are energetic, spirited and motivated to help our nation see the strength and beauty in our warrior families. Tireless Advocates!
Nicki Swindle • over 14 years ago
We love Project Sanctuary. I have deployed to Iraq, been the daughter of a Soldier/Veteran, and am an active duty wife. Project Sanctuary really helped our family to reconnect and to temporarily take our mind off of PTSD and the effects of being a military family. It has continued to help us in that we are able to give back as little or as much as we have time for. Thank you so much for continuing to support this wonderful, life-saving organization!
Shannon Meinhold • over 14 years ago
Our family just attended a retreat in Jan 2012 and was able to relax, rejuvenate, and learn from each other in a positive and FUN environment, thanks to Project Sanctuary. We were also able to learn from the other military families that have sacrificed so much for their country, and their fellow Americans! Project Sanctuary is an amazing idea, and it is working to promote change in the lives of our military families. Thank you, Project Sanctuary, along with all your wonderful staff and volunteers!
Brian Suminski • over 14 years ago
This is truly a "no strings attached" organization. The staff and volunteers are some great people who really want to help. My family went on a retreat a couple weeks ago and they really try to make the experience as good as possible for the military families. A big thank to you everyone who works so hard to put these retreats together.
travis Westfall • over 14 years ago
i have been on a retreat as a volunteer just a few weeks ago...maybe 2....and i could see the joy and happiness on everybody's faces. it was so cool. My thanks to Heather for allowing me to go up there and for all of "colleagues" for being so awesome!
Nadine Jackson • over 14 years ago
This retreat brought my family closer to eachother then I anticipated..I had hoped to rebuild my family unit..instead we began to build a family..I can't imagine not having Heather and the PS angels in my corner helping me and being there for me and inspiring me to be half the person that she is..for one week, stress and pain and fear and shame took a backseat to pure positivitity and encouragement..thank you..for the rest of our lives..ps rocks
WILLIAM RITTER • over 14 years ago
How do Iget back to the application?
Marci Smith • over 14 years ago
To access the application for a Project Sanctuary retreat please go to www.projectsanctuary.us/application.html. or go to the home page, select the "Retreats" tab and select "Application" from the drop down menu.
Michelle Benavidez • over 14 years ago
This is a GREAT organization. They were there for me and my family after we lost our son in Iraq. Please go and vote them daily!
Joe Cox • over 14 years ago
This is a terrific organization run by amazing supportive people who care. Every retreat is a helpful healing for each family. My family benifited from both the group setting and the individual attention. My wife and children had a particularly difficult time during the year I was in Iraq. This program understands that not just the service member needs healing. They understand that in order for the family to become whole again the entire family must be treated and all relationships must be mended. This is a revolutionary organzation the likes of which does not exist anywhere else. .
Beverly Van Kirk • over 14 years ago
I had an opportunity to work with the group at a retreat and it was a wonderful and uplifting experience. I have been working with the team ever since and plan to work at more of the retreats. Please vote for us so we can offer more retreats and help more families to reconnect. Our Vets have done so much for us let us see what we can do for them.
Kalen Arreola • over 14 years ago
Vote for Project Sanctuary!! I plan on attending a retreat once the line goes down for requests:) I do want to volunteer because what they do is phenomenal. I have met at least four couples who have told me how amazing the retreats are. Heather and her team of go-getters are so fun to work with and they know how to work hard while having fun.
Beverly Van Kirk • over 14 years ago
c'mon everyone lets get out the vote for Project Sanctuary. Did you know that Project wounded Warriors has already sponsored an entire retreat for us.!!!
Bryan Hyatt • over 14 years ago
I was lucky enough to volunteer with this organization on a few occasions. These people are doing life changing work- life changing for our Veterans and individuals that want to support our military families. A unique organization like this is exactly what is needed. I feel privileged to have witnessed the beautiful things that happen at retreats. I am excited for Project Sanctuary's future so the 800 families on the waiting list can get the support they deserve.
Janet Mortinsen • over 14 years ago
My daughter and I volunteered in January for a weekend. What an incredible experience to see the changes in the family interactions and dynamics. This is an organization that once you experience what it is all about, you cannot help but be enthused for their mission. We can't wait to return to volunteer and bring more of our family the next time.
Izzy Abbass • over 14 years ago
The Project Sanctuary team truly provides an unparalleled opportunity for men and women who have been deployed to reconnect with their immediate family in a safe and nurturing environment. Too often it is forgotten that the entire family is serving our nation when someone is deployed – some of them while wearing the uniform and others without wearing it. Project Sanctuary recognizes this and works to heal the entire family and strengthen the bonds that are always tested while answering our country’s call to service. We at VFW Post 1 are very proud to support the great work they do and the fine example they are setting.
Beverly Van Kirk • over 14 years ago
Not only do the retreats provide an opportunity to reconnect with their families but also with each other as a part of a brotherhood (sisterhood) of persons who have had similar experiences. It is an opportunity to reconnect with kindred souls in the world. You should see them when they get together with persons who have been to the retreats but not necessarily the same one.. It is a joy to behold!
Debbie Moore • over 14 years ago
There should be at LEAST 2913 votes with 2913 followers!! This is an absolutely amazing organization! They do incredible things for Military families and need to be recognized for what they do! PLEASE continue to vote & show your support!! Project Sanctuary deserves this honor!!!!!!
Dani Hammond • about 14 years ago
My family and I were blessed with a retreat in Nov 2010 and the experience moved us so deeply that we have been avidly volunteering since. The impact this experience makes on the military families is dramatic and you don't get anything like it anywhere else. So often organizations want to use your story for their own agenda or for personal gain so military families don't seek help and don't trust. Project Sanctuary is NOT like that, they are truly focused on assisting the families, and that's exactly what they do! I encourage you to volunteer at a retreat, it will move you, it will touch you, and you will be inspired. I am proud to be part of the Project Sanctuary family!