The mission of Project New Hope, Inc., began by bringing Veterans together for healing retreats.Today,thatremainsthelargestfocusofProjectNewHope'sfounder,staff,volunteers, andBoardofDirectors Somenewretreatstyleshavebeenofferedthisyearandthemost recent,PhoenixTalesStorytellingRetreat,providedthehealingenvironmentthatProjectNew Hopeoffers,sothatVeteranscanrebuildwithhonor.
HeldatGrotonwoodCamp&ConferenceCenterinGroton,MA,fromApril14-16,tenVeterans frommultipleerasgatheredandsharedtheirjourneysbylearninghowtotelltheirunique story.DavidDillen,aVietnamVeteran,sharedhisexperiencesayinghowmuchhelovedthe camaraderiehefelt."Everyoneistreatedlikefamily,equally.Andthat'swhatweallarenow." David says the location was great, accommodations and food were excellent, and the Storytellingwasoutstanding."Itgaveeveryoneawaytoexpressthingsthattheyhavebeen holdingback."
He compared the Project New Hope retreat to his interactions with the Veterans Administration,explainingthat"Youdon'twanttosharewithsomeonewhohasnevergone throughthis,likeattheVA."DuringtheStorytellingretreat,hesaidthefacilitatorssharedtheir own stories, and it made everyone feel more comfortable to write, and tell each of their stories.Thetransformativeexperiencehasgivenhimhopeandencouragedhimtosharethe opportunitiesofattendingaProjectNewHopeRetreatwithotherVeterans.AspartoftheVA systemfor50years,hesayshe'seitherbeen"medicatedordealingwithsomeonewhocan't relate.It'slikespittingintothewind."Davidhassignedupforanotherretreatandlooksforward totheholisticwellnesssessionsagain,too."Itwasallextremelybeneficial."
JeffandTammyBerthiaume,tworetreatvolunteersandmembersoftheBoardofDirectorsat Project New Hope, shared some of their experience at the retreat, also "This weekend remindedTammyandIaboutourmissionatProjectNewHope."Jeffgoesontosharethat "TheimpactofwhatwedoatProjectNewHopewasfrontandcenter,especiallyonSunday. WhatweprovideforourVeteranscanbelifechangingforsomeofthem."
ProjectNewHopeisofferingtwomoreretreatsthisyear.ThePTSRetreatwillbeheldAugust 20-25,andthenewResolvingTraumaRetreatwillbeheldNovember2-6.Previouslyheldwere the War Time Women's Veterans and the Veterans Family Retreats. All information for upcomingProjectNewHoperetreatscanbefoundonthewebsite: www.projectnewhopema.org/retreats.
"ThankyouProjectNewHopeforawonderful, memorable,andspiritualretreat.Ihada transformativeexperiencewiththeStorytelling RetreatandthisiswhyIcontinuetostay connectedwithProjectNewHope.Reflexology, Reiki,camaraderie,hiking,nature,musictherapy, mindfulnessandbeautifulaccommodationsis soimportantforyourwellnessandkudostoallof youformakingthishappentousWarriors.Asher wasalsoin"PuppyParadise".Yourorganization andstaffarewelcoming,supportive,andIalways feellikefamilyaroundyouandmyfellow Warriors"
ProjectNewHopewashonoredtopresentand thankVietnamVeteransMaryGoff,DaveDillen andDonnaPeckfortheirserviceandwelcome themhomewithaVietnamVeteranLapelPin and50thAnniversaryProclamationfrom PresidentTrumpatourPhoenixTalesStorytelling RetreatforVeteransthispastweekend.
DonnaisafoundingmemberofProjectNewHope,Inc.andtheknownheartofthe organization. Hersmileandenergeticpersonalityarecontagiousandknowntobringa smiletopeople’sfaces.
Ofallheraccomplishments,includingworkingthirtyplusyearsatReliantMedicalGroup withintheOccupationalDepartment,Donnaismostproudtobethegrandmotherto sevengrandchildrenandmothertothreechildren,oneofwhich,ErinMoore,servedinthe MassachusettsAirNationalGuardandinsupportofOperationEnduringFreedomin 2015/2016.
WhoCanVolunteer?
Wearealwayslookingforkindandcaringpeople whowanttomakeadifferenceintheworld.Youwill bejoininganenthusiasticandfriendlycommunity devotedtothehighestprofessionalstandardsof care.Thereissomethingforeveryonewhovolunteers atProjectNewHope!
