River Deep Foundation

We are aiming to assist individuals to heal and re-engage in life through adventure, recreation and a network of support.
We believe in providing an instructional foundation. Our goal is to enable clients to explore new interests, start a new hobby and have the confidence to build on their experiences.
Daily life for individuals with a debilitating injury or trauma can be stressful and isolating, leading to depression, anxiety, hopelessness, despair and, in too many cases, suicide.
River Deep is dedicated to providing the highest quality experiences possible and we work diligently to tailor design events that specifically target the physical, social and emotional needs of our participants.​

In our years of experience developing programs, we have identified specific areas where we can stand out.
These principles help guide the River Deep Alliance and it’s programs
We understand that if an individual is in crisis, the family is in crisis. We incorporate participation of
families in our programs wherever possible. We believe in consistency. We provide diverse, year-around opportunities for participants so they can avoid returning to a state of crisis and despair.
We believe in providing an instructional foundation. Our goal is to enable clients to explore new interests or start a new hobby with the confidence to build on their experiences.
We believe in the power of cooperation. The collaboration within our alliance allows us to offer more resources to our mutual client base and provide a sense of community.
We believe in positive and inclusive experiences. Each individual is treated with dignity and encouraged to
enjoy each experience without pressure

Our strategies are one, to facilitate healing through active re-engagement in life.Recreational outings are the cornerstone of our programming. They are funded, planned and organized by River Deep with and serve a vital role in the healing process. These outings and activities are open to veterans and other individuals who have suffered a life-changing spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress disorder, or other trauma. Each outing also provides veterans and their families with the opportunity to relax and enjoy the outdoors, network with other veterans and families, experience camaraderie and learn about resources in a supportive environment.

Opportunties include fishing and hunting adventures, archery, fencing, equine therapy, art classes, cooking classes, family fun days and more!

Link to the outings can be found here- http://www.riverdeepfoundation.org/eventcalendar.html

Our secondary strategy is to collaborate with other complimentary 501C3 not-for-profit organizations ​who share resources, knowledge and ideas with the goal of providing more efficient and effective programming and outreach.The River Deep alliance, http://www.riverdeepfoundation.org/programs.html, is a program under the River Deep Foundation. It was born out of existing relationships between like-minded leaders who saw the need for their organizations to combine strengths in order to focus better on clients in need. Each organization under the alliance umbrella offers unique stand-alone, but complimentary programs, that all serve to assist in the healing process by helping to re-acclimate, re-enable and re-engage their clients while improving outlook and quality of life

River Deep organizes and implements outings that bring clients and their families from all member organizations together for activities and often in the out-door, that provide a priceless day of peace, relaxation, camaraderie and fun in a safe, supportive envi-ronment. These outings are shown to have a therapeutic effect and to facilitate the healing process, greatly improving one’s outlook and willingness to reengage in life. The River Deep Alliance funds the logistics of
these group outings and provides support to member organizations on an as-needed basis to their bolster programs as they grow towards self-sustainment.

Anglers of Honor provides accessible and therapeutic fly fishing opportunities on premier private fly fishing water, restored to allow access for individuals with disabilities.AoH has provided crucial organizational and operational support for the alliance.

Task Force: ISO uses the art of photography as a healing tool for military veterans who have faced physical or mental adversity as a result of their service. Offering a photography education program with the intention of providing a means of self-therapy, encouraging personal growth and an active, productive lifestyle.Task Force: ISO benefits by providing photographic training opportunities in the field to their veteran clients.

Victory Service Dogs provides service dogs and companion dogs for military veterans. They stand apart from many other service dog organizations because the client and dog train together for the specific needs of that individual.

Craig Hospital is a world-renowned, premier center for specialty rehabilitation and research for people with spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury.

Operation TBI Freedom- As the military program of Craig Hospital, Operation TBI Freedom (OTF) helps the alliance outreach to Veterans suffering from Traumatic Brain Injuries. Participation in our group outings helps with the depression, isolation and anxiety that can result from a TBI. The alliance offers ongoing programs that complement the other support services they provide to clients.

SCI Humanitarian Outreach Program- As the logistical arm and initiator of these programs, the SCI Humanitarian Outreach Program (SCI HOP) brings expertise in organizing the outings, contacts and resources. The alliance has allowed the programs and outreach to expand.

Quality of Life Plus's (QL+) mission is to foster and generate innovations that aid and improve the quality of life of those who have served our county - veterans, first responders and service members


Belleview Spine & Wellness works with PainFreeMilitary.com, created for our military member (active and retired) and their families. Their mission is to provide accessible musculoskeletal treatment and benefit (VA & Tricare) education

We held our Fourth fundraising event, with 92 participants joining us for a day of Sporting Clays at Kiowa Creek Sporting Club and our second Golf Tournament with72 participants

Participation and program hours were down due to Covid shut downs. However with the spike in suicides we made the decision to resume programing in a safe enviroment
We were able to hold a total of 32 programs, down from 65 the previous year
Craig Hospital Participants: 18
Veteran Participants: 227
Family Member Participants: 174
Volunteers: 153 (Including Guides, Instructors, Outfitters, etc.)
Total Over All Participants: 572

Program Hours: 208, down from 895
Participant Hours: 3502, down from 12985

We use feedback from participants and family members/ caregivers as wells as through a formal follow-up evaluation tool to help us refine and enhance the experiences in order to continually reach for our greatest impact.

Program evaluation results of outings. On a scale of 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree) 2019
Participants reported:
1. I felt more confident as a result of these outings
74% reported a score of 5
26% reported a score of 4

2. I had positive interactions with peers as a result of these outings.
100% reported a score fo 5

3. I had positive interactions with family/ caregivers
89% reported a score of 5
11% reported a score of 4

4. I was able to meet new people
78% reported a score of 5
11% reported a score of 4

5. The outing provided motivation to leave my house and spend time outdoors
80% reported a score of 5
11% reported a score of 4

6. I enjoyred engaging in physical activity
80% reported a score of 5
13% reported a score of 4

We gained press attention in the June 2018 Your Hub section of the Denver Post print edition that included an article we submitted about our new collaboration. Alliance Committee Chairman, Bob Adwar spoke on the The Americhicks radio program on station KLZ 560 AM several times about our programs and to invite listeners to our Sporting Clays Fundraiser in July 2018. We also have an ongoing relationship with popular radio personalities, Peter Boyles and Stephan Tubbs of KNUS 710 in Denver. We will continue to partner with them for future promotion and awareness.

We are thrilled by the tremendous growth we experienced in 2019, proud of what we were able to accomplish in 220 and are energized and excited as we look to the future.

In 2021, we hosted 56 program outings that served 1626 people for 400 program hours.