Starfish Foundation Inc
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I have been working with the Vets Journey Home / Starfish Foundation for 10 years. I have staffed 20+ weekends and instructed quite a few as well. These men and women hold space for the vets with such love and conviction that it makes personal awareness and change possible for the wounded Vet. As a Vet and as an Army Brat who lost his father in 1968, I have nothing but love and admiration for the particiaptns, staff, and the Mission.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my professional life and my personal relationships.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
hire professional staff and create opportunities for those that have the passion to make their mission their carreer. I would create a followup community of circles to help solidify the results of the training
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the focus on personal accountability and unconditional love as agents for life change.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
diverse and passionate. Each were there for their own mission and served the greater mission with their passion.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Train more instructors, train the social services community and heal more vets.
Ways to make it better...
the follow-up community were more structured and financially supported.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Money and burning out the instructors and senior staff. THey need many kinds of support, some of which can be addressed through money for professional development and payment for services rendered.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Thanks for the opportunity to speak about these people.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I am a civilian volunteer for VETS JOURNEY HOME. I am going to go back as many times as they will have me. The healing work that is done by vets and supported by staff is deep, profound, and much-needed. The vets who attended this great weekend, which is free to vets [as VJH says, Vets have paid enough] ranged in ages from about 23 who served in Iraq and/or Afghanistan, to an 80 yr old who had served in Korea. The safety and intimacy of the weekend allowed those vets to share things that they had carried silently for years about their experiences. And each was welcomed home with gratitude and joy by the staff all weekend, and by staff and visitors on Sunday. It was a beautiful, moving experience for me. I judge that it was even more powerful for those vets. VJH is essential for vets to "come back" home, even decades after they left the combat zone. I have not been a part of anything that has had more impact and importance than Vets Journey Home. brad jones
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
actively offer their important services to all veterans returning home from combat, to gratitude, appreciation and support for their re-integration into home life, with dignity and healing.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I have been a part of Vets Journey Home since its inception. I first participated in The Bamboo Bridge in May of 2002, when I finally realized that even though I had escaped my tour in Vietnam physically unscathed, I had not escaped emotionally unscathed. Bamboo Bridge helped me begin my healing journey. So I continued it by, among other things becoming a volunteer and staffing weekends to help others and continue my own healing work. Later, when Bamboo Bridge transitioned into Vets Journey Home, I made the transition as well. I have witnessed and experienced much emotional healing at VJH weekends and seen many a wounded warrior from wars as diverse as Korea and the current conflicts (as well as those in between) find a measure of peace and reconciliation with themselves and others over what they had done and what was done to them by war. I plan to continue this work as part of my healing. Beyond what I have written here, words cannot express how valuable I believe this work is for a returning veterans from humanity's wars. It needs to continue until all wounded warriors have experienced it. In the military, we have a code that includes not leaving fellow service members behind in combat zones. What many outside the society of veterans do not realize is that this obligation remains with us till the day we die. When a brother or sister has not yet emotionally come home from her or his war, we still need to be there for them, find them, and help them to come home.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've personally experienced the results of this organization both as a client participant and as a volunteer staff member. I have both experienced and witnessed the emotional healing this weekend brings to veterans of combat zones.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
give them all the money they need.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the comaraderie with staff and participants.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
All kinds of people from war resisters to draft dodgers to concientious objectors to veterans of hand-to-hand fighting. People from all walks of life who want to help and give back to those who gave so much.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
set up in cities around the world and bring this healing to veterans everywhere who need it.
Ways to make it better...
My experience would be better if everything wasn't done on a shoestring budget.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Getting the word out, reaching the veterans who still need this honoring, healing weekend.
One thing I'd also say is that...
The people who do this work have love in their hearts.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
I am proud to be a volunteer connected to the Starfish foundation. As a staff member of Vets Journey Home, I have the honor of serving the men and women who sacrifice to serve our country, and have witnessed countless people whose lives have been ridden with trauma and pain find healing, comfort and peace in their lives... blessings they may not have received without the financial support of the Starfish Foundation. A Beacon in the community, this foundation shines light onto the journey of the Veterans' path to wholeness and a home-coming of the heart.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
not only watching the transition of Veterans from fearful to hopeful, but also seen personal friends benefit in their relationships, work lives, daily functioning, and even increase their will to live.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the effect it's had on my faith that people care, that there IS hope, that I can make a difference in my own life, as well as the lives of others.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
kind, comforting, and offered support in a way that makes people feel safe & accepted, while fostering healing.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
spread the gifts of healing to all veterans who have experienced the trauma of combat and the challenges of serving in the armed forces.
Ways to make it better...
more funds were available to include unlimited Veterans.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
As a military mental health technician with a specialty in combat psychiatry I was trained in clinical theory. As a Veteran working in the Veterans Community I have seen how Post Traumatic Stress has affected Veterans and their family’s daily lives. Traditional interventions are often not enough. Vets Journey Home helps Veterans reach into the body and soul of their experience to begin the healing process for themselves and their families. It returns honor to what it means to be a Veteran. Please help support Vets Journey Home through the Starfish Foundation. Best Regards, Vera Roddy US Air Force, 1977-1992, Cold War/Desert Shield/Desert Storm BA, Psychology, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
reduce the impact of Post Traumatic Stress in many more Veterans and their families.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I was a Vietnam veteran carrying some ghosts for over 30 years. The experience of Vets Journey Home helped me let go of these ghost and find closer to feelings that were bottled up inside me for many years.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
being a participant and now looking forward to being a sponsor and staff person.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the one on one experience each participant gets while going through the retreat. The true caring and fellowship and friendships that were made and bonding that took place.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
made up of both ex-military and civilian personnel, each with their own story as to why they were there to care for the participants.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
radiate more retreats across the country and help more service men and women who could tell those stories that they keep to themselves.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
The Starfish Foundation has made it possible for us to heal deeply wounded hearts from military combat/experiences. Vets Journey Home (http://www.vetsjourneyhome.org) receives hundreds of volunteer hours from all involved and every dollar the Starfish Foundation provides goes directly to program delivery. To hear the vets speak of their first full night's sleep in 30 years, or feeling connected to their families again, is so very rewarding and worthwhile. They were willing to give all. Thank you Starfish Foundation for making it possible for us to give back!
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
teaching Vets Journey Home for many years and watching the healing happen.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the extreme dedication of an entirely volunteer staff.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
dedicated, compassionate, willing to give their all
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
heal the hearts of thousands of vets and other trauma surivivors
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009