Boulder Crest Foundation
Transforming Struggle into Strength
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The first 15 years of this century have marked the longest sustained period of conflict in our nation’s history. During this stretch, more than 2.6 million men and women have deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations, many multiple times. While many tend to focus on the trauma and tragedy inherent to war, the truth is that these men and women were transformed on the battlefield into warriors. It is warriors who possess rare skills and abilities that are seldom seen and badly needed here at home. The current mental health system, with its reliance on a one-size-fits-all approach, has proven ineffective and ill equipped to address the nature and scale of the combat-related stress challenges facing combat veterans and their families. These service members, and their families deserve and require a safe and non-clinical setting to heal so they can begin to bring their unique set of skills, experiences and strengths to bear here at home.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
PATHH
It is critical that we provide combat veterans and their families with a free, safe and sacred place to rest, reconnect and recharge. That is why we created PATHH - Progressive and Alternative Training for Healing Heroes - which consists of five key programs for combat veterans and first responders:
(1) Warrior PATHH: a free 7-day combat stress recovery retreat for warriors (with separate programs for male and female combat veterans)
(2) Couples PATHH: a free 3-day partnered combat stress recovery retreat with SongwritingWith:Soldiers focused on couples, caregivers, and Gold Star family members.
Rest & Reconnection
In addition to our PATHH programs, Boulder Crest devotes a substantial portion of our calendar year to Family Rest and Reconnection retreats. These free retreats are 2-7 nights in length and provide families with the opportunity to rest, reconnect and recharge - together.
The Rest & Reconnection program is designed to provide combat veterans and their families, as well as Gold Star families, with the time, space and opportunity to take a breath, enjoy valuable time together and prepare for the future with a renewed sense of hope, resilience and strength.
During their time at the Retreat, guests can avail themselves of a wide range of activities including archery, time with our retired thoroughbred horses, kayaking the Shenandoah River, walking the labyrinth, hiking the Appalachian Trail, playing on the children's playground, fishing and enjoying the local sights and sounds, to include Washington D.C.
Struggle Well
Our nations first responders serve on the front lines in communities across the country. While said to
be essential, many have been left feeling disposable in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and recent social unrest. This is compounded by first responders concerns about the ramifications for their career if they seek out mental health services and a workplace culture that stigmatizes mental health challenges.
The results of this toxic brew are disastrous: according to data compiled by 1st H.E.L.P. the number
of suicide deaths among first responders rose between 2021 and 2022. The highest increases were seen in the firefighter and law enforcement populations.
First responders should not have to choose between the job they love and their mental wellness. To this end, Boulder Crest Foundation created the Struggle Well program to teach first responders practices to transform their struggle into struggle into strength and lifelong Posttraumatic Growth.
Where we work
External reviews
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Veterans, Military personnel, Emergency responders
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Total number of volunteer hours contributed to the organization
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Military personnel, Veterans, Emergency responders
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of corporate volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Veterans, Emergency responders, Military personnel
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Boulder Crest Foundation features a wide range of evidence-based therapeutic and recreational activities that are designed to offer our guests peace of mind and an enhanced sense of well-being. Each activity has a unique and longstanding connection to warrior culture and a strong track record of success.
The retreat exists to provide free, world class, short-duration, high-impact retreats for combat veterans and their families, and aim to revolutionize a model of healing that integrates evidence-based therapies, a safe, peaceful space and unparalleled customer service to improve the physical, emotional, spiritual and economic wellbeing of our nation's combat veterans and their families.
At Boulder Crest, we know that each person and family is distinct—what works for one does not necessarily work for another. We work closely with every individual to set personal goals that are realistic and achievable. It takes significant time and effort to reach these goals and there are many ups and downs along the path of recovery. Our goal is to offer guests and program participants an array of activities and enable them to determine which activities are most effective for them. We then connect them with resources in their local area (e.g. local therapists, equine therapy programs, etc.) to help foster their continued healing and growth at home.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
We accomplish this mission through our suite of PATHH Programs, and our Family Rest & Reconnection (R&R) stays.
PATHH Programs:
(1) Warrior PATHH: a free 18month program that begins with a 7day combat stress recovery retreat for warriors (with separate programs for male and female combat veterans). Warrior PATHH focuses on four main activities~ Education, Group Training, Regulation Practices, and Taking It Home.
(2) Family PATHH: a free 5day combat stress recovery retreat focused on combat veterans and their families.
(3) SW:S PATHH: a partner program with Songwritingwith:Soldiers that is focused on caregivers and couples.
Family Rest and Reconnection (R&R) Stays:
In addition to our PATHH Programs, Boulder Crest Foundation devotes a substantial portion of our calendar year to Family Rest and Reconnection (R&R) Stays. These free stays last from 27 nights in length and are designed to provide combat veterans and their families (as well as Gold Star Families) with the opportunity to rest, reconnect and recharge – together. During their time at the Retreat, all R&R guests have the option of taking part in the wide range of therapeutic and recreational activities we offer including: archery, equine therapy, kayaking on the Shenandoah River, walking the labyrinth, hiking the Appalachian Trail, playing on the children’s playground, fishing and enjoying the local sights and sounds, including trips to Washington, DC. Guests are also able to enjoy family events including barbeques, game night and bonfires, where they can meet and receive support from other warriors and family members. Our goal is to offer these families the time, space and opportunity to escape the stresses of daily life and lengthy deployments free of charge, so they can enjoy valuable time together, and prepare for the future with a renewed sense of hope and possibility.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Boulder Crest Foundation is nationally known for our world-class combat stress recovery programs based on Posttraumatic Growth. Over the past 4 years, our team worked on the development and delivery of Warrior PATHH (Progressive and Alternative Training for Healing Heroes), our flagship 18-month combat stress recovery program initiated with a 7-day intensive and immersive retreat. We believe Warrior PATHH will serve as our foundation, and provide considerable synergies, for the development of formalized curriculum for couples, caregivers, and families.
Warrior PATHH offers the equivalent of 18 months of traditional therapy in the form of training over the course of just 7 days (76 hours). Beginning with Journaling and PT each morning, and concluding around the fire each night, combat veterans engage in a range of Warrior-specific modalities that enable them to make peace with their past, learn to live in the present, and begin creating plans for lives of passion, purpose and service at home. The Warrior PATHH program is based on the concept of Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) and has been developed in collaboration with Dr. Richard Tedeschi, the “father” of PTG, and Dr. Bret Moore, a former US Army veteran and clinical psychologist who deployed and support troops in the combat zone for 2.5 years.
The Boulder Crest team tracks and supports Warrior PATHH students for an 18-month period using monthly video conferences, ad hoc coaching calls and soon the MY PATHH technology platform. In terms of survey data, our collection points are at the pre, post, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 month marks.
Beyond the delivery of more than 50 Warrior PATHHs since 2014 and development of our Warrior PATHH curriculum, the team also delivered 12 Family PATHH programs Family PATHH features the foundational elements of Warrior PATHH curriculum alongside components of our Family R&R Stay activities.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
- Celebrated the 6th Anniversary of Boulder Crest Retreat Virginia’s Grand Opening.
- Celebrated the 2nd anniversary of Boulder Crest Retreat Arizona's Grand Opening.
- Celebrated the 1st anniversary of our Boulder Crest Institute for Posttraumatic Growth.
- Hosted community members, friends, and corporate employee groups for a total of nearly 34,989 volunteer hours performed since first recording this activity in 2012.
- Served more than 5,440 combat veterans and families between September 2013 to February 2020.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Boulder Crest Foundation
Board of directorsas of 02/13/2024
Mr. Ken Falke
Chairman and Founder
Fred Malek
Vice-Chairman and Co-Founder
Ken Falke
Chairman and Founder
Fred Malek
Vice Chairman and Founder
Lesley Kelly
Venrock
Braden Edwards
Royal Bank of Canada
Rob Assenmacher
MACH Ventures
James Ball
Morgan Stanley
Jane-Scott Cantus
The ILEX Group
John Dubia
Lieutenant General (RET) U.S. Army
Rob Gaines
Morgan Stanley
Tony Giachinta
Clune Construction
Frank Killoran
Founder, Apache Springs Ranch
Mike Monroe
A. James and Alice B. Clark Foundation
Brian Rathjen
The Kelson Group
William Walker
Paul Lombardi
Frank Larkin
Ryan Miller
Cushman & Wakefield's Greater Washington D.C. Area
Julie Bowen
MITRE
Michael Burns
Rob Driscoll
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Not applicable -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Not applicable -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Not applicable -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as: