Support
I have come to understand that the pain we endure in the face of trauma (be it through events, loss, or whatever else in this world breaks our hearts and leaves scars upon us), so often becomes a dominant force within our individual existence. It’s the nature of it. It manifests in our heart and mind in a way that becomes hard to escape, and often we become so attached to it that we begin to believe that it is our new reality.
I have also come to understand that this does not have to be the case. In the trauma work that I have come to love and respect, we have led every single person that has given us an honest chance to better ground. Veterans. First Responders. Others who have endured tragic events and experiences from sexual assault to horrific accidents. Each and every one of us has the ability to rise above the effects of trauma. But it takes work. Deep work.
And possibly the most amazing thing of all lies in the innate ability of someone who has overcome those demons to lead others through the darkness by re-purposing the generosity of their own scars. It allows for a connection and wisdom that can and should be paid forward, and the return for all involved is beyond words. I believe that it is the ultimate gift of human connection and resiliency and is truly a process of grand design. I’ve received it. I’ve shared it. I know without a doubt that it is the one thing that can truly impact the unacceptable numbers of those that take their own lives.
There is a reality within the depth of my songs for those that have been truly broken. There is also an ability to breathe again on the other side of that reality. To reach for that takes the greatest courage of all, for it means taking a stand not only for yourself—but the ones who love you. Doing so opens doors that you can’t even imagine. We are all standing by…
A large portion of the proceeds from this album go to support the following national nonprofits.
The Hero’s Journey
At The Heroes Journey, we are a 501C3 of Warriors and Civilians with a passion for storytelling. We work directly with veterans, first responders, and their families to help them find their voice, and then tell their own hero’s journey in their transition from service to civilian life.
This is essential to reconnecting with their new lives and purpose beyond service. When Warriors tell their stories, they are much more resilient to cope with the stresses of transition and to lead our communities here at home. Our services include therapeutic storytelling workshops, online learning courses, and books on the transition from service to civilian life for veterans, first responders, and their spouses and children. We help our warriors explore their narrative through all means of storytelling, like music, writing, acting, and comedy.
When our warriors with Post Traumatic Stress tell their stories, the brain begins to make new connections to that memory. Warriors are not only attaching words to their experience; they are attaching the feelings and sensory impressions that were felt at the time as well. In doing so, the ‘stuck’ part of the brain can finally stand down and stop firing as if there’s an immediate danger.
Our Transition Support Team of trained trauma specialists, counselors, and psychologists stands ready to assist our warriors through free comprehensive education, highly effective support programs, and innovative trauma intervention techniques. Our team members bring real and proven solutions to help our Warriors overcome their challenges, find their voice, and tell their stories.
The return and transformation of these Heroes is central to the strength of America.
A portion of the proceeds of this album go to support The Heroes Journey.
Visit www.theheroesjourney.org to learn more.
Operation Angel Wing
Operation Angel Wing (OPAW) is a direct action, non-profit organization that provides immediate and long-term assistance to those who serve or have served our communities and great Nation and now suffer from their own scars.
Our ability to connect to our heroes and their families and lead them through the darkness of traumatic stress defines the mission that we stand behind; “…aiding and assisting our service men and women in whatever capacity needed as a single or family unit, one victory at a time.”
Our organization brings proven, board-certified therapies and long-term trauma coaching to the table, as well as a highly effective approach to overall wellness. Of equal importance, however, is the fact that each of our members have served either in the military or public service, have overcome our own scars and genuinely understand the fight against suicide and damage from trauma. We truly come from a place of understanding and experience, and bring tools and techniques that we have received as well as administer. Our approach has shown incredible success in treating the specific types of trauma that our Veterans and First Responders (and their families) are continually exposed to.
One of the most difficult obstacles within the path of recovery is the initial gap between the service member who is suffering and their reluctance to reach for help. OPAW incorporates the healing and connective power of music and story and the relevance of experience to help bridge this gap, often times connecting with sufferers of trauma when no one else can.
We require no financial obligation and maintain complete confidentiality. Our goal is to overcome any obstacle and get those who are suffering to better ground.
A portion of the proceeds of this album go to support Operation Angel Wing.
Visit www.operationangelwing.com to learn more.
HOOAH
HOOAH, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, operates under the general direction of an all volunteer National Board of Directors. HOOAH has supporting all-volunteer chapters operating in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Texas, and Tennessee with committees and volunteers in many other states.
Our purpose at HOOAH is to provide for the health, wellness, and social welfare of troops and veterans across the United States and abroad.
We assist service members, veterans and their families with financial resources where a bona fide need exists and ready benefits have failed to meet their needs.
HOOAH assists military families in times of mortal crisis where distance is a barrier.
Our mission is to lend support to forward deployed special operations troops, servicemen and servicewomen, their stateside families, and returning veterans with a high level of understanding, compassion, empathy, and appreciation.
Our vision is to give our volunteers, and the public, an opportunity to honor our dedicated servicemen and servicewomen and veterans with customized support and services when they need it most:
Simply because it’s the right thing to do.
A portion of the proceeds of this album go to support HOOAH, Helping Out Our American Heroes.
Visit www.hooahinc.org to learn more.