My Nonprofit Reviews
tom-murrell
Review for Starfish Foundation Inc, Milwaukee, WI, USA
There is a question non-veterans ask that I really hate: "What was it like?" I have no satisfactory answer to that question. My war wasn't like anything in your civilian experience. Heck, my war wasn't like anything in anybody else's war. Even if you're a Vet, you weren't there at the same time or in the same place.
Healing Warrior Hearts is not a place where they ask that question. Oh, they'll ask you questions, and you won't be able to answer all of them at first. Turns out that sometimes the questions we take back with us are more important than the answers we fire off quickly. HWH is a place where not only will they listen to you, they will hear you. Yes, you will be heard, in some cases for the first time in your life.
And that can be pretty cool.
Vietnam Vet
Graduate of the Bamboo Bridge 2002 (predecessor to HWH)
Review for Starfish Foundation Inc, Milwaukee, WI, USA
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.
More Feedback
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.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
give them all the money they need.
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
