The Department of Veterans Affairs released an alarming report showing that at least 60,000 veterans died by suicide between 2008 and 2017, with little sign that the crisis is abating despite suicide prevention being the VA's top priority.

Challenges

Vision

We are building the Citadel, a bastion of holistic practices and land-based living where veterans can be immersed in a wealth of resources dedicated to healing. This will be an off-grid, self-sustainable working farm. HV programs are based in the Learn-Do-Teach method, where the student becomes professor in a short period of time. Within these programs, veterans will learn: green building, permaculture and food-foresting, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and other self-care practices. The Citadel will be a place from where we create, teach, and practice a lifestyle that promotes thriving people, families, communities and ecosystems.

History

With a membership of over 150 people, Holistic veterans has been helping veterans heal through holistic modalities such as yoga, meditation , breath work, and plant-based detox and nutrition, for the past 5 years. Founded by Paul Damon, HV began with the intention of helping other veterans heal by providing them access to the same practices he himself healed with over the course of his own multi-year healing journey. A year in to HV saw the initiation of the first land-based programs at a property in Gilroy, Ca. found much success in helping many veterans heal from significant debilitations.  With the right team in place, Paul and the Holistic Veterans are now ready to launch the next phase of their healing offering.