SOLDIERS FREEDOM OUTDOORS ORG
Healing the Hidden Wounds of War
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
A significant number of veterans and active duty military personnel struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury. Traditional therapy has fallen short for many. the suicide rate among veterans is far too high. Theses are individuals who were willing to give all in service t our country and us, its citizens. Each one is a hero. Soldiers Freedom Outdoors exist to bring healing to these heroes who struggle to find healing elsewhere. On any given day approximately 20 veteran commit suicide according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2014, the latest year in which date is available more than 7,400 veterans took their own lives, accounting for 18 percent of all suicides in America, even though veterans only make up less than 9 percent of the US population. Most Vietnam-era veterans never received a PTS diagnosis and yet, 40 years later they are still suffering. Many of these men and women with PTS have received tradition treatment such has anti-depressants.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Camp Freedom
Camp Freedom is providing active duty, separating, transitioning and retired military personnel the opportunity to engage in outdoor recreation with their peers and provide counseling and mentoring opportunities they otherwise may not have. We are blessed to be in North Central Florida where recreational opportunity abounds and we are to taking full advantage of our natural resources. Outdoor experiences we currently offer include equine therapy, bow and firearms hunting, freshwater fishing, barbecues and informal gatherings. In additon we offer several water sports days which include boating, tubing, kayaking and water skiing.
Where we work
External reviews
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 Goals:
• To offer weekly nature retreat, fishing, hiking, horsemanship, riding and other outdoor adventures to our veterans.
• To open lodges where our military and their families may enjoy outdoor adventure and the healing effects these activities may provide.
• To facilitate outdoor adventures for the Youth of our troops, deployed, retired active or K.I.A.
• To expand our Equine Program
• To have three well supported chapters in the US.
• To make a difference.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Getting the word out is absolutely paramount to the success of any non-profit. Fox News, CNN, CBS, ABC and other major media websites are valid, realistic targets.
At the local level, we would like to secure billboards along major traffic areas to help brand our Name and bring public awareness to our cause for our veterans. We will be doing radio, TV and grass roots door-to-door advertising as well. Next would be to secure advertisement booths at large outdoor activity expos to reach out to our outdoor community on a one-on-one basis, sharing our mission and creating a solid relationship with the public. T-shirts, hats, flyers, tri folds, and plaques thanking our Veterans for their service will also be offered. We currently give every Veteran that we host a “Thank you For Serving" plaque at every outing. We will continue growing our venue at Camp Freedom in Florida while establishing new chapters through out the country.`We will begin having a Annual fundraising campaign, organize charity runs and other sport type fund raising events. In addition to all of the above grant writing and one to one fundraising will be an important part of support.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our board members give us the capability to implement our programs. Many of our board members are retired military, all of which have served multiple deployments. Personal experience enables them to relate, mentor, and empower our military. All of our board members are dedicated to our cause and contribute in many ways. Some have the ability to contribute financially, some give of their time and talents, all give their hearts to our troops who serve past and present. Constant networking has helped us to provide outdoor adventure opportunities on leased and private land.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We strongly believe the eco therapy, nature, the best medicine for our troops. With our existing and proposed facilities we have reached hundreds of veterans, provided them respite and allowed them to reconnect with the Great Outdoors. In this environment, veterans are establishing new friendships and support networks within their own peer groups, and also find that they themselves are an instrument of healing and comfort for others.
Our greatest challenge is to make a positive, tangible difference in the lives of every veteran we meet. People are the most effective tool for this task and the Soldiers Freedom Outdoors team intends to meet that challenge. A veteran's gender, orientation, ethnicity, disability, rank, length of service, active or retired, offers no barrier to the pursuit of our mission. With the collective guidance and commitment of our talented Board Members, we are determined to succeed.
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
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
SOLDIERS FREEDOM OUTDOORS ORG
Board of directorsas of 11/27/2019
Daniel DiMarco
Soldiers Freedom Outdoors Inc
Term: 2012 -
Benjamin Baxley
Soldiers Freedom Outdoors
Term: 2013 -
Gail DiMARCO
Soldiers Freedom Outdoors
Michael Fletcher
Soldiers Freedom Outdoors
Tracy Roane
Soldiers Freedom Outdoors
Bob Rose
Soldier Freedom Outdoors
Jason Bucy
Soldier Freedom Outdoors
Heidi Bucy
Benjamin Reichenbach
Soldier Freedom Outdoors
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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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