1. Who you are and what your background is.
TrekHeroes Program is a client-centered program dedicated to help improve the quality of life of Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) who suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The TrekHeroes Program is founded by a registered dietitian nutritionist with decades of experience caring for our American Heroes. This program operates as a Non-Profit corporation with the founder as the Program Director and Nutrition Therapist. Other staff includes: one (1) Heroes Chairman whose tasks involve networking and collaborating with appropriate Veterans entities that will facilitate enlisting OEF/OIF PTSD heroes; one (1) Heroes Safety and Security Officer whose tasks involve ensuring safety and security of all program participants at scheduled events, one (1) Heroes Mentor Coordinator whose tasks is offering his own sacrifice and experience in an effort to provide encouragement and build trust in order to cultivate a positive attitude towards self and life as a whole, and one (1) Office Administrative Staff Members. Volunteer Heroes will be on board on a non-pay status to render assistance in facilitating scheduled class sessions, hiking and other events. The mission of TrekHeroes Program is to provide our heroes with high quality complementary therapy using holistic approach that enhances their health and well-being. This program includes group and individual nutrition counseling with strong emphasis on wholesome diet, physical activities, and mental health using chess learning activities.
Why Are We Doing This?
Nearly 1 out of 5 Veterans who returned from Iraq and Afghanistan suffers from PTSD, and the rate of related suicide is twice the national average.
Last March 2015 story of an Ex-Marine Georgia mother who was found dead with her 3 young children in a suicide will be added to this statistics. An OEF/OIF Veteran with PTSD herself, she had been seen at a local VA Medical Center for mental health issues. She had been tagged as being at a high risk for suicide and had missed two mental health appointments in December 2014.
Witnessing their devastating agonies that I have encountered while in my previous capacity as a VA Healthcare Provider, I am compelled to create this project to honor them. Because of concerns on the adverse impact of their situation, many of these Heroes are reluctant to seek proper help through the VA and Military channels. And so, we are providing alternate avenue to help ease their “pain” and improve their health and well-being. – See more at: https://fundanything.com/en/campaigns/trekheroes-program#sthash.3JcaExfr.dpuf