Project Sanctuary, a Granby-based organization that sends military families on healing retreats in the Rocky Mountains, joined four other groups across the nation honored for their creative approaches to helping veterans this week in Washington, D.C.
“My idea was to take them out of a stressful situation, take them to the mountains, get them unplugged, get them resources,” said executive director Heather Ehle, who served as a nurse in the first Gulf War.
On retreats that last six days, Project Sanctuary serves about 10 families at a time, with a mix of active duty soldiers and veterans plus spouses and kids, and offers them recreational opportunities as well as help through classes on anything from finances to healthy marriages.
The organization also conducts follow-up to help provide continued services and support in an effort to confront problems like divorce, suicide and child and spousal abuse.
The announcement of the awards coincides with the first anniversary of Joining Forces, a national initiative to aid military families headed by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. The honors recognize innovative approaches to support.
“It says what we’re hearing from families, that what we do works,” said Ehle of the award. “It’s innovative and timely. Sometimes when you think outside the box, you get astonishing results.”
Project Sanctuary has done 22 retreats with 164 families, with the next one scheduled for April 27. Those families have experienced zero suicides and more than 95 percent of couples have stayed married.
There are more than 800 families on the waiting list for retreats.
“It’s absolutely an honor to be recognized,” Ehle said. “I feel like we’re representing a lot of non-profits out there. I can’t take a ton of credit. It’s the military families that help decide what goes into the program.”
Still, the organization runs on a shoestring. Ehle said the scheduled May retreat is in jeopardy because of funding — though she always remains hopeful that the organization can pull it off.
Project Sanctuary operates with only two-and-a-half paid positions, a 28-person volunteer staff that serves on various boards and committees and a reservoir of more than 200 other volunteers who help with retreats.
“It really is a whole community coming together,” Ehle said.
Ehle started the non-profit in the middle of a recession, without public money. She relied on foundations, fundraisers and private donations and has worked closely with YMCA of the Rockies, which offered her organization discounts to make the retreats possible.
“When I started, I felt I just needed to help service men and women,” Ehle said. “I didn’t recognize how much help spouses and kids need. Then I realized the whole family serves.”
Kevin Simpson: 303-954-1739 or ksimpson@denverpost.com
