Dear friends and supporters of Project Sanctuary, we are thankful for YOU!

This has been an interesting year for all of as we make the best of some very challenging financial times. The team at Project Sanctuary is thankful for all of your thoughtful and encouraging words and sentiments throughout the year. We’re especially grateful for donations you were able to send as we support 143 deserving military families.

Currently we have 800+ military families waiting patiently for our services. When our veterans come home from deployments and war, they face a savage economy and depressing facts like:

• 25% of our homeless are veterans.
• Veterans unemployment hit 21.1% last year.
• 18 Veterans commit suicide every day.

These statistics are not ok. We, as a community can do a better job of “supporting the troops.” Project Sanctuary believes that to do this, we need to heal the family.

Project Sanctuary recognizes that these brave men and women and their families give us so much and now our communities have felt the desire to give in return. Project Sanctuary and its staff and volunteers are passionate about helping military families reconnect following deployments….to heal the seen and unseen wounds of war.

“I really felt heard, as a spouse, and the counseling was really helpful.  I felt like you all go out of your way to make us all feel special.  This is an incredible program!”  The Schwabauer Family 2011

Our TWO-year program begins with a 6-day retreat where the family is introduced to a therapeutic environment (disconnected from TV, phones, internet and other distractions) where they bond, re-learn to communicate through recreational activities, and attend classes that include the Healthy Marriage Project, and Financial Peace University.

A licensed professional counselor attends all retreats, and all activities carry a therapeutic component.  YMCA of the Rockies is our host with 5,000 acres and ample space for horseback riding, skiing, hiking, swimming, playing games, and many other activities – all done together as a family!

Imagine a retreat center built just for military families… This is quickly becoming a reality! Watch for more exciting news as Project Sanctuary and YMCA of the Rockies team up to begin our Capital Campaign to build our families a permanent facility at Snow Mountain Ranch!

To date, of 143 families attending a Project Sanctuary retreat, 138 remain intact. We can report ZERO SUICIDES. Project Sanctuary provides additional support and services to families by assisting with job placements, emergency funding for housing, and counseling.

“Project Sanctuary allowed us to take time away from our busy lives to CONNECT with our kids and each other.  We became patient with each other and had REAL fun……our family became closer and as a result”. Lee Family 2011

Today, Project Sanctuary is the leading pioneer in the effort to assist military families and is receiving recognition for our success from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the White House, The Fisher House, the Newman’s Own Foundation, and PEOPLE Magazine. Awards and recognition are great, but they don’t pay the bills!

Our families are patient, but they need our help. We are committed to finding a way every day to make that happen. They have not failed us and we have no intention of failing them.

$25 – Provides a gas card to a local military family to help get to a retreat

$250 – Sponsors one meal for 70+ people (families, volunteers and guests)

$400 – Sponsors Hero’s Night Out

$2800 – Sponsors one family, including travel, 3-bedroom cabin, all activities, therapeutic support, classes, food and follow up for the next two years

Sponsorships are available for our NY Eve Gala, Redstone Biker Rally and our PS Reunion Gala. Donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE!!

Thank you for this opportunity to be a part of something good for our troops and their families! Can we count on your support to spur us forward to another amazing year?!  We hope to increase from 7 retreats this year to

12 retreats and 120 families for 2012!!

With Gratitude,

The Whole PS Crew:  Heather, Sue, Chelle, Artie, Marci, Scott, BJ, Blake, Kristi, Missy, Stefanie, Tammy, Randi and our 143 families and 200 volunteers!!