Mission Ready: Preparing for a New Season
byJenniferCesaitis
There’ssomethingaboutlateAugustthatfeelslikeashiftMaybeit’sthecoolermorningsorthe waythesunsitsalittlelowerintheskyEvenifthecalendardoesn’tsayityet,falliscomingFor manyVeterans,theseseasonaltransitionscarrymoreweightthanweexpect.
Shiftinggearsafterthefreedomofsummercanstirupoldpatterns.Thereturntostructuremight feelcomforting,oritmightfeeljarring.Eitherway,thistimeofyearofferssomethingweoften overlook.Areset.Acheckpoint.Achancetoaskourselves,HowamIdoing,really?
WhentheSeasonsChange,SoDoestheBody
Servicelifeteachesustorespondtostructure,toadaptontheflyButthatkindoftrainingdoes notalwaysprepareusfortheemotionalweightthatcancomewithchange especiallythe quietkind.Thechangethathappenswhenroutinesreturn,kidsgobacktoschool,orthehouse suddenlyfeelstooquiet.
Youmightnoticemoretensioninyourshouldersormorerestlessnessatnight.Maybeyoufind yourselfmoreonedgewithoutknowingwhy.Thesearenotpersonalfailings.Theyaresignals.The bodyrememberswhatwehavepushedthrough.Thistimeofyeartendstostirupthatmemory. Thegoodnewsisthatnorulesaysyouhavetojustwhite-knuckleyourwaythroughit.
Don’tBracefortheFall,PrepareforIt
Preparationdoesnotmeanmakingaperfectplan.Itjustmeanschoosingtorespondratherthan reacting.
Thisisagoodtimetore-establishasimple e.Nothingcomplex.Wakeupandsitin eforafewminutes.Drinkafullglassof beforecheckingyourphone.Takeaslow nthemorningorearlyeveningThese practicesgivethenervoussystem thingtorelyon.
seasonaheadfeelsoverwhelming,youare oneinthat.Sometimesthebestwayto reistopause.ProjectNewHopeoffers essretreatsthroughoutNewEngland, ngspaceforjustthat.Theseretreatsare boutfixinganyone.Theyareabout dingroomtobreathe,movegently,and withotherswhounderstandtheweightof transition.
ReconnectWithWhatMatters
Youdonothavetooverhaulyourlife.Youjustneedtofindyourwaybacktothethingsthatsteady you.
Ifyouhaven’tcheckedinwithyourgoalssincethenewyear,nowisthetime.Areyougettingthe sleepyouneed?Areyouspendingtimearoundpeoplewhotrulyseeyou?Haveyouspokento someoneaboutwhatyouarecarrying?
Smallstepscount.Reachingouttoapeer.AttendingaVeteransCoffeeSocial.VisitingSully’sPantry iffoodstressisgettinginthewayofyourwellness.Thesearenotjustservices.Theyaretoolsfor stayingconnectedwhenitwouldbeeasiertoshutdown.
You’veBeenHereBefore
You’vemadeitthroughtoughertransitions.Someseen,somenot.Thisoneisdifferent.Itisnot aboutsurvival.Itisaboutfindingsteadinessbeforethewindsreallyshift.
LetAugustbeyourcheckpoint.Youdonotneedtochargeintothefallfullofenergyandplans.Just takeoneclearstepforward.Thatmightbeaconversation,awalk,oraretreat.Whateveritis,letit beyours.
Thrive withProjectNewHope
FirstRespondersareinvitedtotakea transformativesteptowardhealingandresilience withworkshopsandtherapiesdesignedtoresolve trauma,calmthemind,andregainjoy.Youanswer thecallforAmericans24hoursaday.Thisretreatis designedtoprovideasafe,supportive,andhealing environment.
EveryonewhoattendswillbenefitfromTheCortina Method(TCM),ledbyTraumaResolutionExpert MichaelCortinaandhisteam.TCMhelpsresolve thetraumathatleadstoPTS,guilt,anger,fear, physicalpain,orlimitingbeliefs.Itoffersa neuroscience-basedsolutionforhealingwithout requiringparticipantstoreliveanytraumatic experiences.
Enjoyequinetherapy,holisticyoga,Reiki,and reflexology,andotherholisticwellnesspractices. LearnmoreaboutMichaelCortinaandTheCortina Methodathiswebsitehttps://michaelcortinacom/
SpaceisLimited:OnlytenspotsareavailableParticipantsareresponsibleforarrangingtheirown transportationtotheretreatlocation.
Afteryousubmityourapplication,aProjectNewHopeteammemberwillcontactyoutocomplete aphoneinterview,whichisrequiredtoconfirmattendance.Pertheinstructionsduringthephone interview,youwillneedtosubmitacopyofyouremployeridentificationcardorDD214.
Lodging,meals,andactivitiesareallprovidedatnocosttoparticipants.Thereisa$50dollar registrationfeethatisrefundedoneweekafterthecompletionoftheretreat.Youmustarrange yourowntransportationtoandfromWestfield,MA
PleasesendquestionstoSueatsmwilder@projectnewhopemaorgorcall(508)762-9738
PriorityEnrollment:
FirstResponderswhohavenotattendedaProjectNewHope retreatwillreceivepriorityconsideration.
Joinusintakingthissteptowardhealing,resilience, andrediscoveringjoyinlife.
StartDate:Thursday,November6,2025
EndDate:Sunday,November10,2025
Thrive withProjectNewHope
When the Fridge is Empty
Foodinsecuritydoesn’talwayslooklikeyouexpect.Sometimes,itseemslikeaquietVeteran standinginlineatthegrocerystore,tryingtodothemathinhisheadbeforegettingtothe checkout.Othertimes,itlookslikeamomskippingdinnertogivefoodtoherkids.
AcrossMassachusetts,foodinsecurityisontherise.ButforVeterans,thenumbersareespecially troubling.OneinthreeVeteransinthestatestrugglestoaffordfood.That’snearlyashighasthe stateaverage,where37percentofhouseholdsreportedfoodinsecuritylastyear.Thedifference isthatVeteransareevenmorelikelytoavoidaskingforhelp
BehindtheNumbers
WhenaVeterandoesn’thavereliableaccesstofood,itoftengoeshandinhandwithother challenges.Housingcosts,medicalexpenses,mentalhealth,andday-to-daystressareall connected.Inmanyhouseholds,oneproblemfuelsanother.
InMassachusetts,nearlynineoutoftenfood-insecurefamiliesarealsostrugglingtocoverrent, utilities,ormedicationsManyoftheVeteransweservearelivingwithservice-connectedinjuries, managingchronichealthissues,orcaringforlovedonesChoiceslikegroceriesversusheat,or foodversusgas,havebecomepartofdailylife.
Thisisnotjustaboutstatistics.Thesearepeoplewhoraisedtheirhandstoserve,whonowfind themselveswithoutthebasics.Nationalnumberssupportwhatweseelocally.From2015to2019, 11percentofVeteransaged18to64nationwidefacedfoodinsecurity.Amongmilitaryfamilies overall,morethanoneinfourreportedloworverylowfoodsecurity,anumbermuchhigherthan thatofcivilianhouseholds.Andstill,manyaregoingwithouthelp.
InMassachusetts,only7percentofVeteranswhoqualifyareenrolledinSNAP(formerlyknownas foodstamps).Someareunawarethey’reeligible.Othersareturnedawayduetopaperwork errorsordiscouragedbyrecentfederalrulechangesthatplacenewburdensonrecipients.These rulesdon’talwaysaccountfordisabilities,caregiving,orunstableemployment,theveryrealities manyVeteransarelivingwith.
When the Fridge is Empty
Sully’sFood&BabyPantrybeganduringtheheightoftheCOVID-19pandemic,builtoutofconcern forlocalVeteransandmilitaryfamilieswhowerequietlygoingwithout.Whatstartedasasimple responsetoaclearneedhasgrownintosomethinglastingThispantryisn’tabouthandoutsIt’s aboutmakingsurepeoplehavethebasicstocareforthemselvesandtheirfamilies.Whether someonestopsinforafewitemsorneedsafullrestock,they’remetwithrespectandkindness, everytime.
Veterans’FarmersMarket:FreshandFree
Thissummer,we’vepartneredwiththeWorcesterVAClinictoofferfresh,seasonalproduce throughourVeterans’FarmersMarket.FreefruitsandvegetablesareavailabletoVeteransand theirfamilies,noquestionsasked
WhyItMatters
Theeffectsoffoodinsecurityreachfarbeyondanemptykitchen.Formanyhouseholdsalready stretchedthin,itmeansmakinghardchoices,skippingmealssoachildcaneat,cuttingpillsin halftomakeaprescriptionlast,orputtingoffadoctorvisitbecausethegroceriesranoutfirst.In 2023,thestrainfromhungercontributedtomorethan$1.3billioninemergencyroomvisitsand hospitalstaysacrossMassachusetts.
Butthenumbersdon'tshowtheisolationthatcomeswhensomeonefeelstheyhavenooneto turnto;theguiltthatsettlesinwhenthereisnotenoughtogoaround,orthequietburdenof carryingonemoreworry,withnoclearwayforward.
WhatYouCanDo
Youdon’tneedtowearauniformtoserve.Here’showyoucanhelp:
SharethisinformationwithaVeteraninyourlife
VolunteeryourtimeatSully’sorourmobilemarket
Donatefood,babysupplies,orhygieneitems
Advocateforpoliciesthatprotectaccesstofoodforthosewhoserve AndifyouareaVeteraninneed,knowthis:askingforhelpisnotasignoffailure.It’sasteptoward stability.Wearehereandreadytostandwithyou.
Learnmore:www.projectnewhopema.org
Veteran Spotlight: Edwin Blondin
Thismonth,wearehonoredtorecognizeEdwin Blondin,aproudU.S.NavyVeteranandlongtime residentofBrookfield.From1963to1970,Edwinserved aboardadestroyerduringtheVietnamWar,standing watchandcarryingouthisdutieswithcourageand resolve.Histimeinuniformreflectedaquietstrength thathecarriedintocivilianlife Afterhismilitaryservice,Edwinspent25yearsworking atHealdMachine,wherehebecameknownnotjust forhisworkethic,butforhisloyaltytothosearound him.Whetherinserviceorintheshop,Edwingavehis all.WethankEdwinforhisservicetoourcountry,his dedicationtohiscommunity,andthesteadywayhe continuestoleadbyexample.
Volunteer Spotlight: Anna Fleming
Thismonth,weareproudtorecognizeAnnaFleming, adevotedmemberofourWorcestercommunityand thebelovedwidowofRichardFleming,aU.S.Army VeteranwhoservedduringtheKoreanWar.Anna’s dedicationspeaksvolumes.Throughpersonalloss, shecontinuestoshowup withkindness,with strength,andwithaheartforservice.Hersteady presenceatProjectNewHoperemindsusthat resilienceisnotjustaboutenduring,it’sabout continuingtogivewhenitmattersmost.Annahonors herhusband’smemorynotonlywithwords,but throughaction.Hercommitmentreflectsthevery spiritofourmission toliftothersup,toservewith compassion,andtobuildcommunitythroughcare. Thankyou,Anna,forcarryingforwardalegacyoflove andservice.Youarealightamongus.
Veteran Spotlight: David Sweeney
WeareproudtorecognizeDavidSweeneyasourVeteran oftheMonth DavidservedintheUnitedStatesNavy duringthe1960s,apivotaltimeinournation'shistory. WhilestationedaboardtheUSSOzark,hewasdeployed toGuantanamoBayduringtheCubanMissileCrisis a tensechapteringlobalaffairsthatdemandedsteady handsandstronghearts.Hisroleinvolvedseekingand clearingwatermines,ajobrequiringprecision,courage, andcalmunderpressure.David’sservicereflectsa generationofVeteranswhostoodreadyinmomentsof uncertainty,oftenwithoutrecognitionorfanfare.Hisstory remindsusthatstrengthdoesn’talwaysraiseitsvoice sometimes,itsimplyanswersthecall.
WethankDavidforhisservice,hissacrifice,andhisplace inthelegacyofthosewhohavekeptourwaters,andour country,safe.
Volunteer Spotlight: Richard Duquette
Thismonth,weareproudtoshinealightonRichard Duquette,aU.S.AirForceandNationalGuardVeteran whosesteadypresenceandhardworkhavemadea lastingimpactatSully’sFoodPantry.
EachMonday,RicharddrivestotheWesternMassFood Banktopickupcriticalsupplies andhedoesn’tstop there.Afterthevanisunloaded,hestaystoorganize, stock,andpreparetheshelves,fridges,andfreezersso thatVeteransandfamilieswhowalkthroughourdoors aremetwithdignityandcare.
Richardneverseekscredit,buthealwaysshowsup. Whetherit’saheavyliftoralast-minuteneed,he’sthe onequietlysteppingintohelp.
We’regratefulforhisdedication,hisservice,andhis willingnesstodowhateverittakestosupportthe mission.Thankyou,Richard,forbeingpartoftheheart ofthiswork.
Where to Find Us!
JoinourWestfieldstaff,Amy&Barbara,whowillhaveatableatVeteranPicnicinthePark,West SpringfieldonAugust9attheVeteranPicnicinthePark! MorganRoadPavilion11am-5pm. Freeentry.Food,games,entertainment.
Thrive withProjectNewHope
GoodCoffee,RealConversation,andCommunityYouCanCountOn
Sometimeswhatmakesthebiggestdifferenceisn'taprogramoraplan,it'saseatatthetable andsomeonewhounderstands.That’sexactlywhatyou’llfindatourVeteransCoffeeSocials. Heldregularlythroughoutthemonth,thesegatheringsareopentoallVeterans,service members,andmilitaryfamilies There’snoagenda,nopressure,andnocost,justhotcoffee, goodcompany,andspacetoconnect.
Whetheryou’renewtothearea,lookingforsupport,orjustwanttobearoundpeoplewho“get it,”theCoffeeSocialsofferarelaxedsettingtotalk,listen,orsimplybepresent.Somefolkscome everyweek,somejustdropinwhentheycan.Eitherway,you’rewelcome.
WhyitMatters:
BuildconnectionswithfellowVeterans
Shareexperiencesandresources
Combatisolationwithcommunity
Learnaboutlocalprogramsandservicesinalow-keysetting
WeknowtheweightVeteranscarryisofteninvisible.TheseCoffeeSocialscreateaplacetoset someofthatdown,evenifonlyforanhour.
Coffee’shot,chairsareopen,andcommunityiswaiting.We’dlovetoseeyouthere.
School’s
In, So Is Stress: How Veterans and Families Can Stay Grounded
byJenniferCesaitis
Augustsometimesfeelslikearacetowardthestartofanewschoolyear,andoftenitfeelslikea racewe’renotwinning.Thereareliststocheck,suppliestopurchase,formstocomplete,andnew routinestoestablish.ButforVeteranfamilies,there’softensomethingelseunderthesurface.A quietstressthatshowsupjustasbackpacksstartcomingofftheshelvesandcalendarsstart fillingup.
WhetheryouareaVeteranraisingkids,acaregiverhelpingsomeoneelse,orevenastudent Veteranheadingbacktoclassyourself,thistimeofyearcanstiruptensionoruneasinessthatis hardtoputintowordsThekeyisknowingyouarenotaloneinit andyoudonothavetopower throughwithoutsupport
WhyThisTimeofYearCanFeelHeavy
Theback-to-schoolseasonbringschange,andwithchangeoftencomesunease.Forsome,it meanssayinggoodbyetotheeaseofsummer.Forothers,it’sthefearoftheunknown.New teachers,newroutines,newpressures.
Ifyoulivewithtrauma,anxiety,orpost-servicestress,thesetransitionscanbetriggering. Crowdedparkinglots,loudschoolevents,andsleeplessnightscanalladdupEvenforstudent Veterans,walkingintoaclassroomwhereyourexperiencesarenotsharedbyotherscanbringup feelingsofisolationordisconnection.It’smanageablewiththerightsupport!
School’s In, So Is Stress: How Veterans and
Families Can Stay Grounded
CreateaGroundedRoutine
Routinescanmakeyourlifepredictableandcalming.Structureisyourally,butitdoesn’thaveto resemblebasictraining.Startthedaywithfiveminutesofquietbeforethechaosbegins.Enditwith amomentofstillness,whetherthat’sashortwalk,abreathingexercise,orsimplyturningoffyour phonealittleearlier.
Helpyourkidsbuildthesamekindofstructure.Aconsistentbedtime,acalmmorning,aspaceto talkthroughtheirfeelings itallhelps.Andwhentheirstressshowsup,rememberthatyour responsemattersmorethanyourperfection.
UsetheToolsThatAlreadyExist
Thisisalsoagoodtimetoleanonresourcesthatcanhelpcarrytheload.TheAnnieAppfor Veterans,createdbytheVA,offerspersonalizedtextmessagestosupportyourmentalhealthand wellnessFrombreathingexercisestomoodcheck-ins,Annieisaquietpresenceinyourpocketthat askshowyouarebeforethedaygetsawayfromyou.
VeteransCoffeeSocials,offeredweeklythroughProjectNewHope,givespacetospeakfreelyorsit withotherswhogetit.Duringourbusiesttime,thesemomentshelpusconnectandeasesomeof thepressure.
Ifyouareacaregiverorco-parent,besuretocheckinwithyourselfaswell.Youcannotpourfrom anemptycup,andthistimeofyearasksalotfromtheadultsholdingthingstogether.Youdeserve support,too
Andiffoodsecurityisaconcern,Sully’sPantryremainsavaluableresourceforfamiliesinneedA stockedfridgecanmakeallthedifferenceinastressfulweek.
ThereIsRoomtoBreathe
IfthepaceofAugustfeelsfast,giveyourselfpermissiontoslowdown.Youdonothavetofix everythingtoday.Rememberwhathelpsyoustaygrounded.
Maybethat’sapausebeforeanswering.Perhapsit’splanningonequietweekendinthemiddleofa busymonth.Itcouldmeanaskingforhelpbeforeyouthinkyoudeserveit.
Whateveritlookslike,trustthatyouarenotdoingthisalone.Thepaththroughstressisnotalways straight,butitdoesgeteasierwhenyouwalkitwithotherswhounderstand
