Rotarian Michael Endres Reflects on Project Sanctuary Experience

 

 
 
Rotarian Mike Endres and his wife Anita (along with fellow Rotarians Janice Beller and Sue Gardner) recently volunteered at a Project Sanctuary retreat held at Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby.  Mike was so moved by the experience, that I asked him to submit an article for the Lamplighter.  I want to thank Mike for his willingness to share his experience with us.  Hopefully other Rotarians will be moved to also volunteer their time to this very worthwhile cause.   
 
 
Project Sanctuary – Retreat #98 – August 2016
 
 
Project Sanctuary (PS) is a world-class, national non-profit focused on reconnecting military families. Founded in 2007 by former Parker resident, Heather Ehle, guest speaker at our August 11th meeting, PS gives heartfelt care and service to active duty, retired and veteran families from all the military services, enabling them to go from “battle-ready to family-ready.”  It provides 6-day outdoor, therapeutic retreats in a safe and healing environment which include classes such as “Healthy Marriages”, “Money Matters-Family Matters” and “Thriving--A Field Guide for Families Dealing with PTSD”.
 
Project Sanctuary is unique in that it is one of the few - if not the only - organization focused on the entire military family.  Since its founding, it has welcomed over 800 military families into its program.  There is a waiting list in excess of 1,000 families, many suffering alone with PTSD and its invisible yet deep scars from our many years at war.  Ongoing family support services for problems such as divorce, suicide, and spouse/child abuse are provided for 2 years following each retreat. 
 
Here’s a comment from one family:  “I cannot thank you all enough for the ‘sanctuary’ you provided our family.  Where we were on the verge of destruction, now we are rejuvenated, and capable of fighting again to preserve our family and happiness.  You are rescuing marriages and families.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
 
My wife, Anita, and I volunteered for PS’s recent August retreat at Snow Mountain Ranch (Granby CO) with fellow Rotarians, Janice Beller and Sue Gardner. Having both served in the US Army, myself for 24 years as an active duty medical service corps officer and my wife as a reservist, we understand the sacrifices made by and the needs of military families. 
 
We felt the program was exceptionally well-organized and executed.  The small PS staff of 4 (registered nurse, social worker, licensed professional counselor and certified recreational therapeutic specialist) are stretched thin conducting the “heart” of the program.  The behind-the-scenes roles played by volunteers are critical to the success of a retreat.
 
As such, we did what the Army calls “other duties as assigned!” We were kitchen help (yes – we washed plenty of pots & pans!), spent many hours holding babies and entertaining and loving on kiddos as well as making connections with the 10 families during communal mealtime conversations.  Although our help seemed less than glamorous, the fact that we were there meant that the couples could participate completely in the sessions offered without worrying about their children.  We were constantly busy and the days were long, but fulfilling.
 
We were impressed by Project Sanctuary’s stewardship - the program relies entirely on donated funds and stretches each dollar as far as it will go.  There continues to be a need for additional financial support and more willing volunteers.
              
We were humbled and privileged to serve these heroic American families who have sacrificed so much for the freedom we enjoy.  It was abundantly clear at the end of the week that all of us had contributed significantly in bringing healing and hope to these families.
 
 
 
Film trailer produced by Steffan Tubbs (KOA Radio) – “Acronym – The Cross-Generational Battle with PTSD”:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od33W1eEZ8s
 
Mike (Rotary Club of Parker) & Anita Endres
 
Sponsors