Programs and results
What we aim to solve
We are working to address the mental health needs of Veterans, First Responders, and their families who are suffering from PTSD, moral injury, anxiety, depression, and military sexual trauma. The invisible wounds that these men and women carry are often not healed by traditional Western medicine such as pharmaceuticals. The whole person must be treated - body, mind, and spirit - and alternative therapies are needed.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Empathetic Touch™
Empathetic Touch™ was developed by Dr. Donna Arz as a way to addresses and relieve the suffering associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), moral injury, chronic physical and emotional pain, anxiety, depression, and Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Dr. Arz and her team of trained practitioners have treated thousands of veterans using Empathetic Touch™ at the Sacramento Vet Center, Mather V.A. Pain Clinic, and David Grant Hospital at Travis AFB, as well as at the Forgotten Soldier offices in Auburn, California, at no cost to our Veterans. We plan to expand training for practitioners to meet increased demand for services, including First Responders in 2021.
Empathetic Touch™ treats the whole person, relaxes the mind, helps heal the body, soothes the spirit and helps bring back the soul.
The Armed Forces Pavilion and Community Garden
The FSP’s Armed Forces Pavilion and Community Garden provides a peaceful, welcoming place for our Veterans and community members to connect and gather outdoors while enjoying nature, socializing, and relaxing. It is a lush garden space for community members to grow vegetables in our raised beds, as well as a venue for concerts and special events, for exhibiting art, and paying tribute to those who we have lost.
Where we work
External reviews

Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Total number of counseling sessions performed
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Health, Adults
Related Program
Empathetic Touch™
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Number decrease due to Covid.
Number of clients who report general satisfaction with their services
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Health
Related Program
Empathetic Touch™
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Based on informal exit interviews.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
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?
Our mission is to give hope by offering support and alternative, integrative healing resources for Veterans who are at risk of suicide, suffering from PTSD/moral injury, and need help reintegrating into civilian life after serving our country. Our program’s mission is to offer holistic healing modalities that treat the whole person with compassion and respect, not only addressing physical pain but also help Veterans to heal their emotional and spiritual injuries.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our focus for the upcoming year is an expansion of services to accommodate the increase in demand. We see Veterans through outreach to our local V.A. hospitals and Veterans Centers. This will involve training additional practitioners, expansion of office space, and increasing fundraising events and efforts to cover expenses. The Forgotten Soldier Program will continue to offer a variety of integrated, holistic treatments at no cost to the Veteran through modalities such as counseling, guided meditation, yoga, acupressure, massage, craniosacral therapy, and Empathetic Touch™. We will also offer holistic nutritional counseling, health coaching, and various levels of peer support with reintegrating back into civilian life.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Dr. Donna Arz, founder and director of the Forgotten Soldier Program since 2004, has a PhD in Theology, Philosophy, and Religion and a BA in Holistic Nutrition. In addition to her foundational training, Dr. Arz is certified in the Suicide Prevention Assistance Program, Acupressure and Guided Imagery, Craniosacral Therapy, and the Lay Ministry program. Drawing from her training and experience, she has developed the practice of Empathetic Touch™ which has been recognized by the American Heart Association as an effective therapy for reducing pain, stress, anxiety, and depression. In addition to a staff of volunteers who each bring their own skills and areas of expertise to the program, Dr. Arz also personally trains our team of Empathetic Touch volunteer practitioners. Together they have treated thousands of veterans using Empathetic Touch™ at the Sacramento Vet Center, Mather V.A. Pain Clinic, and David Grant Hospital at Travis AFB.
Our community has supported the Forgotten Soldier Program on many levels, including 100% of the program’s financial needs. Through fundraisers, donations, and local grants we have been able to pay office rent, operational costs, and all other expenses.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Since it’s founding in 2004, the Forgotten Soldier Program has treated over 22,000 Veterans, their caregivers, and their family members. We hope to expand access in the coming years by training additional practitioners, expanding our space, and including group healing sessions. We also plan to see First Responders as our capacity expands in the next year.
In addition to our mental health services, FSP has created and developed the Armed Forces Pavilion & Community Garden. Previously an empty, overgrown lot, the Pavilion is now a beautiful community space that offers garden beds, art, a labyrinth, a meditation and Tai Chi area, and picnic areas. We plan to increase use of this space by offering classes, concerts, and art walks in the coming year.
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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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
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The Forgotten Soldier Program
Board of directorsas of 02/22/2022
General Robert Hipwell
United States Army Retired
Term: 2016 -
Richard Hall
Attorney
Term: 2020 -
Mark Korb
Michelle McMurtry
Jason Call
Cassie Call
Jeannie Harris
Jennifer Flamm
Stephan Flamm
Tom Moore
Patricia Bradley
Phil Sugg
Tom Eberlein
Gail Beeman
Melissa Fiore
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:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
No data