The Coming Home Project

This "organization" is self serving. Notice that STAFF & REPEAT attendees (a few) are oozing with the positive reviews. Told this would be peaceful and private, I traveled from Arizona to California (on my dime) to attend. Immediately a REPORTER was "embedded" with us and we were asked to sign releases. I did not wish to be photographed. I asked 3 questions and "volunteers" surrounded me CULT-LIKE. It was CREEPY. I am in a wheelchair, so not really an issue to anyone. Another girl echoed my concerns and agreed she would like the answer to the questions as well. She was "surrounded" Realize we (vets) were all sitting and they (volunteers) were all standing. The meeting introducing the reporter was adjourned and we went back to our shared rooms. "Volunteers" came to our room, surrounded my roommate and escorted her out. Bobrow came in and wanted me to sign papers that I wanted to leave. I didn't want to leave, just didn't want to be in the newspaper or TV. He kept pressuring me, using phsychological pressure techniques (I am a medical professional and recognize these techniques. They are ones you are taught NEVER to use on patients or traumatized people). He finally said I had to leave immediately. The "volunteers" continued to flock around and I was not allowed to say goodbye to new friends I had made or even my room mate. So, they never knew what happened to me and the other woman, a potent message to NOT ask any questions. As I left in my vehicle, I saw the other woman walking and crying with her suitcase. I was crying as well, not understanding what I had done wrong. The expectation was peaceful healing, the result was more trauma to add to my already traumatized situation due to OIF/OIF. Bobrow & his paid volunteers travel ON YOUR MONEY from fabulous place to fabulous place, rent out the entire place and then dupe Local volunteers to help. They fund themselves and have veterans, family and now "caregivers" attend. As long as you serve their purpose and they get their donor money for you, all is good. It is all about money. They scarred me and I am sure that other woman FOR LIFE with their tactics. It's unbelievable that these type of people are allowed to continue to function and collect good people's money.for their own gain. Good hearted people beware.

I returned from Iraq angry and crazy. The drugs didn't always help, and I was assigned a counselor who didn't have a clue what I was going through. Crap at work from my immature and useless female company commander didn't help. After a visit to the CHP (female vets only--what a relief!!), I was more relaxed, more able to handle her BS and my workload, and things at home were a lot easier on my husband too. To discover that you are not alone in your personal hell-on-earth, to know that there are veterans (sad to say, but true) worse off than you who have the courage to leave their homes and travel, in spite of their fear and emotional turmoil, to a place which CAN (for me, not MIGHT, but CAN) help, went a long way toward helping me move forward and leave the nightmare behind. If you are a vet, do this! If you are considering donating, donate! Every penny and hour you give helps combat vets like me who need to see the good people can do, instead of the horrible ways people treat each other on a daily basis (over there).

I am a volunteer for this org which provides powerful retreats to heal Veterans and their families. It helps to form community among them, and allows them to grieve and embrace life after war. User the great healing that takes place on every retreat!

There should be more programs like this! They don't provide singular services, but focus on working on communication, methods to cope with stress, rebuilding relationships and establishing new bonds. We should use this method to set up reintegration services for all returning veterans! There's no better time than right now!

I've been on the Coming Home Project Board since it was founded and am proud to be associated an organization that shows such compassion for and commitment to vets and families. The community building that takes place at the retreats and events does more than fill the gap left by agencies who are too understaffed and overloaded to help. Our vets have given so much, they deserve more than lip service and artifically quick fixes. They deserve to learn how to cope with what they've seen and how to return home and reintegrate with their families. I was not surprised to hear that the DCoE (Defense Centers of Excellence) said that CHP meets or exceeds their recommendations. Our vets keep coming home and we need to support programs like CHP now more than ever.

I was privileged to serve as a volunteer at a retreat this year. The benefit of just a few days of skillful and compassionate support was visible in the veterans who attended. I saw eyes go from wary to warm, bodies from on-guard to relaxed, faces from stiff to smiling. What a wonderful gift to returning servicemen and servicewomen!

This "charity" (and I use the word loosely) is a scam using deserving veterans who have served and been injured emotionally and (sometimes) physically in OEF/OIF to extort money. The "founder" Mr. Bobrow, who has a Ph(d) but is not a doctor, he is a self proclaimed "healer", "zen", etc. has figured out a way to have people donate money for his (and his knowing AND unknowing) staff to take trips in the guise of "workshops" for veterans. The reality is that the veterans are a group of "sheep" or they are told to leave (if they have any questions or raise concerns). The rest of the group never knows what happens to these participants, because it is all done while they are at breakfast. In other words, only those participants who sing "cumba ...." are allowed to stay, those who have questions (no conflict, just questions.... such as one that came up about having a major newspaper reporter "embedded" in these confidential "healing" workshops who would then report to the world about the personal stories of the veterans.......... Those who even asked about it were booted out the next morning. Mr. Bobrow continually asks for funds from the veterans as well as trying to get money from organizations who actually do help (all) veterans and are not self-serving.

I'm a retired Naval Officer working in a large engineering firm and served as a professional mentor for 2 workshops. This program offers incredible benefits to returning vets. It connects them with others who understand their unique issues and provides them with actionable tools to help them move forward in reintegrating into their communities and into the civilian workplace.

I volunteered on a handful of retreats, and have been involved with The Coming Home Project on many different occasions, and have had endless positive opportunities. The CHP is an outstanding organization with so much to offer. I have seen first hand the transformation, relaxation, connection, creativity and healing that occurs during retreats and other events.

I participated in a Coming Home Project retreat a few years back. It was a retreat for service providers. I had an absolutely amazing experience. The staff was incredibly welcoming and supportive. I left there with a renewed and more positive sense of self, and more confidence in treating others. I have since referred Veterans and providers alike to their retreats, and will continue to do so.

I attended with my husband. As a military spouse, it was nice to spend time with others, sharing our stories and experiences and making new connections. This is a wonderful program and I hope others will benefit from it as much as I have for years to come.

I first became aware of the Coming Home Project when I came across some of their excellent resources on the website. I was fortunate to attend a training conference in California--it was a life-changing experience--camaraderie, trust, learning new skills, sharing pain and joy and SO MUCH MORE. It was surpassed the following year when I was honored to be a facilitator at a family retreat. "Being with" returning OEF and OIF servicemen and women and their families is an privilege I shall never forget. It was a emotionally hard and rewarding work as I was able to see positive growth and change in each individual who participated. The overwhelming sense of coherence and community contributes to the healing and adds to the practical activities and skills. The flow of the weekends are well designed and planned to offer opportunities to allow folks to process painful experiences, learn new coping skills, and, enjoy and participate in joyful activities.

I was fortunate to attend a retreat for professionals. As a mental health professional, serving active duty, veterans and their loved ones, I had exhausted myself trying to care for everyone else - forgetting my own oxygen mask. The retreat reminded me that self-care is a MUST if I wanted to continue to be helpful to others. I attended the retreat over 2 years ago and I still use some of the self-care techniques taught there. I also connected with other professionals in the field and continue those supportive relationships as well. The Coming Home Project is an amazing organization.

I attended a Coming Hme retreat several years ago as a mental health professional who works with combat veterans. From the beginning there was a feeling of togetherness, mutual respect, and support that was welcomed and regenerative. The entire event was organized and conducted in a professional and therapeutic but also playful manner. The mixture of activities and offerings allowed me and others to connect with each other and with ourselves at a deeper level than was available in the daily practice of life. Much of what I experienced has stayed with me and I would welcome the opportunity for a refresher retreat. Events such as the retreat I attended are revitalizing and I suspect they pay off in more ways than can be measured. In addition to the reprieve from a demanding work schedule, there is the anti-burnout format which allows one to return to work with renewed energy, new ideas, and newly formed contacts. I'd like to see such events being provided on a regular basis for those who work with combat veterans and their families but I am very grateful that I was at least able to participate in the one I did.

I attended a retreat for clinicians working with returning veterans and found it to be the most rewarding, enriching and revitalizing experience of my life. Returning from that retreat 2 years ago enabled me to better fully connect with and be there for the returning veterans with whom I worked. Having attended the retreat with veterans and family members that also happened to be clinicans, I also saw first hand how incredibly healing this program is. Jo and his staff are unparalleled.

I went to a Coming Home project 3 years ago. I have made wonderful connections with new friends. We have maintained a tight relationship since then. I have invited them into my personal life and trusted them with my family. This is a big step in reintegrating into society after coming back from the war. Being a Marine, I always long for the camaraderie that I felt in the Corps. This retreat has satisfied just that.

I attended the female veteran retreat in California. I enjoyed every minute of the retreat and enjoyed the company of the females that I met. Unfortunately I have not kept in touch as I feel my psychological wounds are much deeper than one could have ever imagined. Had it not been for the coming home project I don't think I would have been able to identify my wounds from war and active duty. There are many more women who bear the same wounds and through this wonderful program are now seeking help to slowly close those festering wounds. I am honored to have been able to participate in this program and I recommended it to my sister in law. When my brother in law came back from iraq they attended the family retreat in San Antonio. I hope to one day be able to volunteer my time to this outstanding program that is helping to change the lives of my brothers and sisters in uniform.

The Coming Home Project does exactly as it's title says. It helps veterans interact and communicate with a group of volunteers when they have come home. we learn so much about "adjusting to life back home" but we also learn about ourselves. I haven't been on an event since 2008 when we went rafting, but I remember that I had the time of my life. I also keep in touch with a lot of the veterans that I met while I was there. We formed a bond so quick because we learned that almost everyone has the same battles Coming Home... Thank You So Much Dr. Bobrow.

The Coming Home Project is the most dedicated, professional, realistic honest organization helping our nation's warriors! The compassion for warriors and provider support exceeded my expectations! I know non profits are struggling financially - and I strongly recommend that they receive funding to continue their work. Please anyone, If you can help, do it! and the nation will be grateful for your support.

I was a volunteer for a family retreat with the Coming Home Project and the experience was fantastic. It is a wonderful organization with the most compassionate, kind, and tolerant people I could imagine. The impact for participants of the retreat was indescribable, and a life changing experience for everyone involved. I felt supported by everyone when I was having a difficult time, and was able to give support to others who were too. There is a wonderful base of knowledge of and experience around working with veterans, but amazingly, everyone was very humble which I loved. I am constantly referring people to the Coming Home Project because it was such a valuable experience and I was so honored to work with them.

I was a volunteer facilitator at a CHP retreat for professionals serving veterans--many of whom were active military or veterans themselves. The experience was deep, healing and life changing not only for the participants but for me too as part of a remarkable community where people made connection with each other, resolved burn-out and found new inner resources to go forward. CHP is a model that should be the basis for comprehensive programs fo help military and vets re-connect with the world back home.

I enjoyed the opportunity to receive the guideance from the staff at The Coming Home Project for my sister and I. We grew more closer as siblings and I received a better understanding as to how I should help her continue to integrate back into society. This program is very benefical to soldiers and family members.

This is an awesome program and helped me get in contact with other vets and made me realize I am not the only one who feels the way I do. It helped me realize who I am and gave me a relaxing weekend that I desperately needed

Myself, my husband who is a Veteran and our then 1 year old son attended a retreat a few years ago. It bought to light several things that troubled us and in the end we went home with more knowledge,support and new friends. I would reccomend this to any active duty or Veteran who is struggling with what is going on in their lives after combat and their families to attend to get a better grasp of things that went on.

I attended a Retreat this year and it was very impact full. During this event I was able to share and build new relationships with people who had the same issues. Being involved allowed me to get out issues that I forgot I had which allowed me to fully release a lot of anger, hurt and confusion. The retreat was well rounded and had equal time for many events so I didn't feel like herded cattle. I was able to be free within limits that weren't to suffocating. The staff was great, very personable and approachable, which made me feel comfortable and helped me to open up easier.

After a extremely difficult year after separating from service, this retreat provided that foundation for me going forward. I look back at everything I went through before this retreat and I thank God for the calm that was provided. I felt human again.

I went there with an open heart and mind. I found myself feeling like I was missing something spiritually. Being surrounded by nature, the walks, the events, and the people all combined eventually helped me find what I was looking for. It was an amazing experience and would recommend it to any veteran in a heart beat. I feel exponentially better about myself and my life and am looking forward to the new path I am going on because of the experiences there at the retreat. I want to thank all the staff of The Coming Home Project.

Since 2008, I have participated in the Coming Home Project retreats. These retreats have been the highest points for me these last few years. The other volunteers, the Coming Home Project staff, the veterans and their families all come together to create a healing community where deep bonds are quickly formed. Community, expressive arts, recreation, meditation, and support groups, good food, beautiful settings--the Coming Home Project creates something very close to magic.

i have participated in a number of retreats for the Coming Home Project. I have seen outstanding results that this program has to offer for Vets of the recent wars. I have evaluated another non profit in this field and from my point of view nothing can be compared. Howard I. Levene, M.D.

I am so impressed with the caring, skills and results of the Coming Home Project. The work of this group has been carefully studied and even imitated, but I believe that the Coming Home Project provides the best workshops for veterans with the most effective, positive impact on the lives of the veterans and their families. I know that the founder of the Coming Home Project, works tirelessly and selflessly to keep the program top notch. Keep up the good work!!

The Coming Home Project's equine program is both subtle, yet powerful. The honesty of the horses can provide a mirror and show us our own ways of reacting to stimulation and stress. They show us how actions, sentiments and touch can be so revealing. Their immediacy and inability to lie is liberating.

I partaicipated in the provider training & have nothing but praise for the Coming Home progject. They are a group who genuininely cares about the well being of the veteran & their family. Beyond their professional expertise they come form a place deep inside, the heart.

This is an incredible and much needed organization. It was at these retreats that I learned my husband had PTSD...from the classes that were offered describing it. We were surrounded by counselors who specialize in helping veterans and their families for 3/4 days. I came away feeling more whole, more able to cope, and with a greater understanding of myself and my spouse. My children never want to leave. They are surrounded by counselors who specialize in working with children. I don't have words to express how grateful I am for this organization.

Absolutely wonderful group of people who are providing services that are badly needed. The volunteers and staff were so accepting and supportive that my family has been profoundly affected.

I received information about this non-profit organization through another Veteran female. My experience in attending this all women retreat was outstanding.In addition to receiving awesome support, everything was paid for or reimbursed including travel and food. I really appreciated the support, coping techniques, cooperative environment to vent, share experiences, and receive useful information. The supportive environment without judgement and encouraging any perspective and/or feelings made me feel very comfortable to share and receive help with military, deployment, and other related issues. I believe the Coming Home Project is one of the very best non-profit organizations that I have ever worked with, and the best organization for Veterans and families to assist with emotional needs that often get overlooked otherwise. I would strongly recommend this program to anyone and look forward to watching them continue to grow and inspire more and more Soldiers and families in the future.

Unique, and valuable organization full of amazing volunteers, staff and participants! I am so glad that The Coming Home Project is working to make the coming home experience more positive.

excellent retreat. I met new friends and learned to to deal with my issues and be able to discuss them with my wife.

I attended one of the CHP retreats for service providers of OEF/OIF Veterans and found the experience wonderfully rejuvenating. I still have many of the materials that I received at the retreat and practice some of the exercises that were taught there as ways to stay grounded, directed, and continually rejuvenated in the work we do with combat Veterans.

Working with the professionals at the Coming Home Project was a thoroughly enjoyable and beneficial process. The folks involved were not only competent, but also empathetic. They understood my difficult schedule and did everything they could to accomodate me. Further, I found it very therapeutic to dicuss the issues affecting our family through their interview process.

As a professional facilitator and event organizer, I remain very impressed with the Coming Home Project's capacity to (1) create community quickly, (2) build a safe and healing atmosphere for veterans, their counselors, and their families to begin dialogue about their challenges both in the theater and during the coming home phase, and (3) offer a variety of inner and outer explorations (walking meditation, yoga, meditation) and settings (small group, large group, one-on-one, and solo) within a 48 hour period. Some stories that I heard continue to guide my personal work and relationships that I established during my experience continue to add to the riches of my life.

It was awesome for me and the family the groups meditation the atmosphere they go above and beyond to take care ofus vets and families the staff awesome and surroundings were wonderful

This is an extremely thoughtful, well-run organization that greatly benefits the people it serves. The leaders and volunteers are concerned, intelligent people who know how to, and have the desire to, share their gifts.

I attended an excellent public presentation about healing from trauma, and came away with deep appreciation for these very dedicated professionals' skills and abilities providing aid and assistance to our veterans and their families who truly deserve the best!!

-Great Counseling -Was able to share stuff that was hidden for years -We went kayaking -I felt free and safe -The group therapies was great and helpful to me -I finally sought help after talking to one of the women there... it was something that I never wanted to do but I did it and it helped -I experienced Chi Gong and it helped me to relax and I was able walk(I've been in a wheel chair for over six months) -The place was great, peaceful and beautiful -I was stress free -Hearing all of the other womens' stories helped me...to be strong, to share my stories, to comfort others as others comforted me -I keep in touch with most of the women that attended the Oct. 2009 Womens' Retreat -This is the best thing that ever happened to me and will be for anyone else that attends -There were no thoughts of war anymore...just peace and freedom from war and death -This is the best experience I've ever had -This organization was very well organized

Coming Home Project is one of the few veterans organizations, that I have found, that offer a family retreat for the veteran to bring his/her family. This is a huge help in reconnecting with each other in a beautiful peaceful place at no cost to the family. The friends we have made at the conference have been valuable and beneficial to our overall well being. We can't thank Joe and his staff enough for the love and kindness they provide to us at the retreats. They definitely have our best interest in mind.

My Experience has been excellent. I am a professional coming in to teach classes, and the staff is A one. The Coming Home Project is highly professional, helpful, friendly and well orchestrated. I have consistently heard positive feedback from participants at every function. Clearly the entire system is a reflection of the excellence of those that are running the program from the top.

Thoughtful collection of caregivers -- I've seen many hugely touched at the two retreats I've attended. DoD caregivers are often overworked with little relief. The Coming Home Project gives a weekend of rest and a lifetime of skills. I highly recommend their retreats for those needing rest.

The Coming Home Project has been an incredible experience as a volunteer Therapist. The training and discussions regarding veterans issues has helped my understanding of the unique elements of the military culture. The leadership are compassionate and insightful into the complexities of this work.

I attended the 'Service Provider' retreat and wow, what a wonderful experience! The Coming Home Project staff takes excellent care of you and ensures all your need are met. I truly enjoyed the decussions,listening and sharing with others who assist veterans and family members. There is no pressure and it's a 'judgement free' zone. It was great to meet and connect with others and having time to be with myself when needed. I highy recommend this program and encourage the service members and families to attend. The food is great too!

My family as a whole benifitted from our CHP retreat. It has opened my spouses eyes to the fact that we are not the only family going though this. It helped my son discover that there are other military families out there. And it showed me that there is a force to help during the tough times. Keeping a positive community around us, to include the CHP is now estential. The All Women Vet conference has to be a one of a kind experience. I've never heard of such a thing until the CHP did it in Oct 2009. The CHP is on the cutting edge of how to help us Vets.

I attended a 4 day retreat in October 09 with this org. Thr staff, volunteers were amazing. Attentive, responsive, nurturing and knowledgable. Lots of substance , no fluff. Very beneficial and rewarding. I learned a lot an gainied a new perspective on handling situations in my daily life.

Because of the dedicated service of the Coming Home Project for the military and veterans who have served in Iraq and Afganistan, and the integrity and high esteem of the organization in the therapeutic community,I chose to become a volunteer therapist. I have been working with a Marine who has served two tours of duty in Iraq and he states that his experience in therapy has changed his relationship to his past, his self, and his relationships. The support for Veterans and for clinicians is exemplary, and the difference that is being made with Veterans will have far reaching effects. I have been a therapist for over 20 years and have managed many non-profit programs, and CHP is one of the finest I have ever known. I truly hope they are honored for their amazing contribution.

The Coming Home Project provided an opportunity to genuinely connect with other female veterans in a way that was deeper than any connection I made since returning from the war. For four days we were provided free accomodations, travel, and expert counselors,and the like. In fact, it was due to this experience that I felt a call to go back into the military to serve as a Chaplain!

Retreat was a life changing experience, very well coordinated, well planned and of great benefit to providers who work with combat veterans.

I've been connected to CHP since it's inception, and have known and worked with the founder Joe Bobrow over many years. I've seen this organization grow from idea to a vibrant community that fills a much-needed gap in Veteran care. And it does so with both modern psychological knowledge and resources as well as a great deal of compassion and personal care.

While informative for self-care and relaxing, the event is highly structured from early morning through the evening. Although they caution participants against proselyting, be advised the primary instruction (under Joseph Bobrow) is and follows buddhist principles, to include a primary presentation by Steve Torgerson which discounts the spiritual value of revealed religious truth and religion.

Attended 2 of their retreats. Great ability to facilitate trust and healing among combat Vets and their families. They are continuing to build on that by offering retreats throughout the nation.

This group is experienced with Veterans and open to suggestions. Their groups and retreats are formed to be welcoming, open and honest in a safe and sober atmosphere. There is a spiritual atmosphere that not everyone is ready for but if one is willing to try new things is very benificial.

This was a very well run, very well intended and very well received retreat. I'm confident that the retreats for veterans and their families will be just as wonderful.

My experience with the Coming Home Project definitively exceeded my expectations. I attended the February Provider's Retreat in California with some level of apprehension. I initially applied to attend as a means to "get away" from the daily stressors associated with work (a Clinical Social Worker providing services to OEF and OIF Soldiers and Veterans)and family. However, what I got was a truly transformative experience. Not only was I reminded of the need for self-care as a someone who cares for others, I was offered practical tools and, more importantly, the inspiration and motivation to use them in my daily life when I returned to "real life". The retreat was one of the most positive experiences I have had in many ways. The communion with other attendees, the peace and serenity of the retreat environment, the acceptance and non-judgement from participants and facilitators, and the opportunity to focus on caring for ourselves on a physical, emotional and spiritual level were all factors that led to a genuine transformation in my thinking about my work, my family and myself. It has changed the way I respond to stress, allowed me to give myself permission to take a moment to center myself each day and shifted my general outlook to focus on the joys of daily living rather than the stressors of daily living. The staff was wonderful and the retreat was well-organized. I would highly recommend this organization to others, whether it be as an attendee, a financial contributor or a volunteer who would like to participate in the act of helping others. As a matter of fact, I have posted a link to the organization to my social networking page encouring others to utilize and support The Coming Home Project.