Description of Organization
Grant(s) Awarded
In 2021, a COVID-19 Operational Grant of $10,000 was awarded to Veteran’s PATH to adapt their in-person programs to an online platform that retains engagement and intimacy while connecting veterans virtually and piloting various formats to test engagement and effectiveness with various veteran groups. To maintain the effectiveness of their methods, staff is on call 24 hours a day to support participants. The COVID-19 Impact: The pivot from in person to an online platform roughly doubled development costs while donor fundraising decreased. Since veterans experience high rates of mental illness and substance abuse along with the extra stress brought on by COVID-19, Veteran’s PATH experienced an increased demand for their programs.
In 2018, a grant in the amount of $25,000 was awarded in support of the implementation of their five, four-month Gender Specific Anchor Programs including Five-day Retreats and 15-Week Practice Period. The Five-day Retreat gave people the opportunity to enter more deeply into practice, opening new insights and possibilities. The program included: mindfulness and meditation practices; sharing of significant stories which are witnessed and honored by other veterans as they all begin “rewriting” their own narratives; journaling; learning emotional literacy and communication skills; rituals; self-compassion practice; gratitude and appreciation practice; and physical activity. The program offered a combination of in-person retreats with on line resources, video conference calls and peer support.
In 2017, a Women in Buddhism grant in the amount of $2,500 was awarded to supplement the budget for the women’s 5-day retreat that took place in May 2017.