My Nonprofit Reviews

John and Brandy have been involved with Help Heal Veterans since 2012. The couple found H. H. V. during a 5 month period of homelessness. John was in the Army from 1980-87 were he had tours in Germany and Panama and stationed at Fort Carson where he completed his enlistment. John settled in Grand Junction were he and Brandy met at Catholic Community Services and became a couple. They lived under the 29th street Bridge and frequented The Help Heal Veterans Craft Center where they enjoyed the fellowship of other Veterans. John and Brandy began to sell the crafts they made to make some money. John reports that being able to make craft kits helped him out of depression. Both John and Brandy give credit to HHV for helping them network within the community. They have made many Veteran friends and continue to sell their crafts around Grand Junction. John and Brandy have been able to buy a home and car and continue to be involved with HHV.

Linda served in the Air Force 1978-1992. She was stationed at England Airforce base in Louisiana , Kwang Ju Air station in South Korea, returned to Louisiana. then to West Germany Lindsey Air station and then back to USA, Griffith Airforce Base in New York. Linda Bishop has been living in the Grand Junction since 1992. Linda got her first kit in 1994 while she was at an appointment at the VA Hospital. Linda passed by the craft room and was curious as what was going on. She inquired and selected her first craft kit. Linda has been involved in crafting ever since then. Linda credits her expanded crafting to Help Heal Veterans. She has had the opportunity to put together many of the kits and says it helps her dexterity and keeping her spirits up. She likes to have a craft to look forward putting together. Linda has developed relationships with other Veterans and looks forward to coming into to the store and seeing her peers. Linda states that through HHV she has become more outgoing and has become involved in many community groups.

Ernest has been coming to Help Heal Veterans here in Grand Junction since 2006. He reports that he gets distracted from his physical pain by doing the crafts. In 2006 he had sciatic nerve surgery and experiences pain every day. Help Heal Veterans has helped him retrain his brain and keeps him occupied and busy and off the prescription medications. Ernest has been involved in volunteering here at the HHV and recently he has dedicated himself to a permanent shift every week. Ernest has been involved in teaching other Veterans some of the skills needed to complete the leather crafts. Ernest reports that without HHV he would have very little to occupy his time. He looks forward to assisting in clinics at nursing homes and assisted living through our outreach efforts. Ernest is attempting to organize and locate a space to gather with other Veterans to assemble and create the therapeutic craft kits.