PLATINUM2021

The Forgotten Soldier Program

Giving Hope So No One is Forgotten

Mission

We have a simple, mission: Giving hope so that no one is forgotten. We do this by focusing on the needs of the Veteran and their family, and by meeting these needs with effective, compassionate care and holistic treatments that complement traditional medicine with a focus on suicide prevention and the treatment of PTSD, moral injury, anxiety, depression, and military sexual trauma.

Ruling year info

2011

Executive Director, founder

Ms Donna Jo Arz

Main address

991 Lincoln Way

Auburn, CA 95603 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

27-2305344

NTEE code info

Human Services - Multipurpose and Other N.E.C. (P99)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

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

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

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.

Population(s) Served
Military personnel
Veterans
Emergency responders

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.

Population(s) Served
Military personnel
Veterans

Where we work

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

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

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

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.

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.

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.

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

The Forgotten Soldier Program
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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  • 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 directors
as of 02/22/2022
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board co-chair

General Robert Hipwell

United States Army Retired

Term: 2016 -


Board co-chair

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

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 12/14/2020

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
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender (cisgender)
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability