Mental Health, Crisis Intervention

THE WARRIOR CONNECTION INC

The mission is over, the inner journey continues...

aka The Warrior Connection   |   Brattleboro, VT   |  http://warriorconnection.org

Mission

The Warrior Connection mission is to improve the overall well-being of our veterans and their families.

Ruling year info

2011

Executive Director

Mr. Aaron M. Phillips

Board Chairperson

Mr. Bob Brusa

Main address

PO Box 762

Brattleboro, VT 05302 USA

Show more addresses

EIN

30-0653682

Cause area (NTEE code) info

Mental Health Treatment (F30)

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

Hot Line, Crisis Intervention (F40)

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

The Warrior Connection (TWC) provides residential retreats and services to veterans and their families to heal the invisible wounds incurred in uniform. TWC's program eases the suffering of veterans and their families struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or military sexual trauma (MST). Our program helps prevent suicide and divorce while supporting improvement in the five key areas of well-being (physical health, friends & family, community, career, and financial).

TWC retreats are veteran led and backed by neuroscience and analysis. The program combines ancient warrior cultural traditions with modern science-based analysis, mindfulness techniques, trauma-sensitive exercise, outdoor nature activities, elements of individual counseling (CBT), group coaching (GCBT), and the expressive arts to address and release the causes of PTSD or MST.

TWC helps veterans and their families break the cycle of suffering so the healing begins and can continue.

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?

The Warrior's Journey Retreat - Male Military Veterans

At TWC, we help veterans discover that they are not their PTSD. We help Vets replace anger, frustration, and loss of compassion for yourself and others with simple yet powerful techniques for re-creating balance and harmony in their life so they can be more of the man, father, husband and community contributor that they can and want to be. Our retreats are run by Veterans, teamed with licensed clinicians and Veteran mentors. Activities and discussions are voluntary as actions focus on the individual. Although some may not choose to participate in all events, the safe military mentoring and guidance, along with the group dynamic, encourage individuals to be involved and work together. Support for retreat graduates continues after the retreat with follow-up meetings and community-based personal growth.

Population(s) Served
Veterans
Adults
Budget
$250,000

At TWC, you will discover that you are not your PTSD or MST and we can help you replace the anger, isolation, frustration, and loss, with compassion for yourself and others. You will learn simple yet powerful techniques for creating balance and harmony in your life so you can be more of the women, mother, wife, and community contributor that you want to be. Our women’s retreats are lead by female Veterans, teamed with licensed clinicians and Veteran mentors to conduct our unique programming. Activities and discussions are voluntary, and activities focus on the individual. At times, some may choose not to participate. Although the safe military mentoring and guidance, along with the group, encourage individuals to be involved and work together. Support for retreat graduates continues after the retreat with follow-up meetings and community-based personal growth.

Population(s) Served
Females
Veterans
Budget
$20,000

Whether you are or were married to a Veteran, this retreat is for a spouse, partner, or any other family member that is in a significantly close relationship with a Veteran. At our spouse retreat, a person who longs to discover who we are beneath the role of intimate partner—in that place where we can find our individuality and live from that place—can begin or continue moving toward a greater sense of self. In the company of other spouses who have lived with a Veteran’s PTS, the atmosphere and program offer a haven to explore creative ways to self-reflect, self-express, self-nourish, and self-care from a kind, loving and real place. While absolutely no artistic ability is required, the expressive arts provide a robust and fun tool to access inner wisdom and give you your unique voice. Here you can discover and reawaken that part of yourself that yearns to be creative, expressive, and reconnected with your spouse and your joy!

Population(s) Served
Caregivers
Military personnel
Budget
$17,000

Where we work

Photos

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Number of donations made by board members

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Type of Metric

Context - describing the issue we work on

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

We ask and expect that each of our board members make a meaningful gift to the Org each year that reflects TWC as one of their top three philanthropic causes.

Number of program/model/intervention innovations

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Families,Veterans

Type of Metric

Context - describing the issue we work on

Direction of Success

Holding steady

Context Notes

TWC provides three specific innovative program services to male and female veterans and military spouses.

Number of public events held to further mission

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Families,Veterans

Type of Metric

Context - describing the issue we work on

Direction of Success

Holding steady

Context Notes

TWC participates in a variety of community engagement events with the VA, Vet Centers, and localized partners like regional VFW's, American Legions, college campus', and military posts.

Number of participants counseled

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Families,Veterans

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Year over year, TWC continues to engage and support more and more service members in our programs.

Number of clients served

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Families,Veterans

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Year over year, TWC continue to grow the number of veterans and military families that are made aware of and supported by our programs and engaged with the Org in a variety of ways.

Charting impact

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

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

What is the organization aiming to accomplish?

Our goals are to scale this program nationally, organically, through partnership ecosystems like the Vet Centers, the VA, other NPO's, and private sector companies, to service the affected population by engaging funders, entrepreneurs, and strategic business partners

Build the "flagship" retreat location in southern Vermont where the model was developed, tested, and continues to be offered for the last ten years. Along with modeling the ideal partnerships needed to grow into other communities, nationally. <br/><br/>Develop "TWC in a Box" to replicate in other communities.

TWC is ready to expand into other communities. Having operated on a shoestring since 2010, the organization learned to be extremely prudent. The program is fully developed, tested, refined and documented. The replicable model, TWC in a Box, is ready to go on the road. TWC trainers have successfully used The Warrior's Journey Facilitator Guide to train local facilitators in preparation to teach facilitators in new communities. Standardized operating procedures are in place to assure consistency and excellence, and a strong leadership team is now in place.

Our dedicated staff has witness the healing power of the model and give tirelessly of their time and resources to grow the program. Watching the light return to eyes of combat veterans is evidence of the potency of the work.<br/>Pre and post surveys attest to the healing power of the model.<br/>During a men's warrior retreat they chose as their group name "No soul left behind!" Now that attests to what the veterans experience!

TWC has come a long way in a short period of time. We have been pulling together a solid group of dedicated volunteers until ready to transition into paid employees. As such, we are finding sincere folks who are contributing for noble reasons.<br/><br/>Now, with a new funding model in place, our single location model is allowing for expansion. The next steps will have TWC offering retreats in a second location in 2018.<br/><br/>The leadership team will continue to cultivate new board members, as well as additional paid staff to further support the day-to-day operational tempo and growth.

Financials

THE WARRIOR CONNECTION INC
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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
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  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

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THE WARRIOR CONNECTION INC

Board of directors
as of 3/12/2020
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Mr. Robert Brusa

The Warrior Connection

Term: 2012 -

Robert Tortolani

Dartmouth University

Mat Fairband

Waddell & Reed

Mark Terry

Cubic Global Defense

Nick King

VW Ware

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • 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? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
  • 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? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 03/12/2020

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
Multi-Racial/Multi-Ethnic (2+ races/ethnicities)
Gender identity
Male, Not Transgender (Cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Decline to state

The organization's co-leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Male, Not Transgender (Cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Person with a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

Disability

We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.

Equity strategies

Last updated: 03/12/2020

Policies and practices developed in partnership with Equity in the Center, a project that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems within the social sector to increase racial equity. Learn more

Policies and processes
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
  • We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
  • We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.

Keywords

Community, family, support, suicide prevention, combat veterans, retreats, moral injury, PTSD, MST