Frequently Asked Questions
General
Any active duty service member or veteran families of all branches of the military and all eras who would benefit from a therapeutic retreat or services is welcome. All types of families, including single individuals and the LGBTQ+ community, are welcome.
We support the whole family! We believe that when one person serves, the whole family serves and take a human-centered, solution-based approach to helping military families heal and move forward in life.
Therapeutic Retreats: We host approximately 30 retreats annually across the country and are staffed and designed by Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists and licensed counselors. While we have a lot of fun helping families connect, these are not “vacations” but working programs for the adults as well as educational programs specific for teens and youth.
Family Support Program: FSP offers services lead by licensed clinical staff for all military and veteran families and can include financial assistance, counseling referrals and connection to services offered by collaborating partners.
Destination Resource Weekends: These two-day events are offered three times a year to military and veteran singles or couples to focus on their unique and personalized needs through our goal-setting exercise. From there, we help make connections with attending resource partners via one-on-one consulting and educational tools.
Therapeutic Retreats
Project Sanctuary current hosts approximately 28-30 retreats a year in seven states across the U.S.
Apply online via our website at: https://projectsanctuary.us/forms/
- A $100 Commitment Fee via check is required before your family’s retreat reservation can be officially booked. Each reservation is a valuable spot for a family and no-shows or cancellations less than two weeks from your retreat date will result in the loss of your deposit. If you attend, your uncashed, original check will be returned to you at the retreat.
- Once you get to your retreat location, your food, lodging, activities and all follow up services are paid for.
No. Only Services Dogs are welcome
Once your retreat dates and location are confirmed, you will receive location-specific instructions with all the information you need.
Family Support
- Family Support can assist with emergency financial needs on a case-by-case basis.
- Family Support staff works with families to determine what the current critical needs are and assist the family in identifying the local resources that can help with those needs.
- Family Support communicates with families prior to attending a retreat to answer questions, provide support, and help connect families with additional resources/information that might be needed before traveling to a retreat.
Yes. The Family Support Program also facilitates Destination Resources Weekends. Throughout these weekends, couples are connected with community partners and resources that provide support to military/veteran families to help with mental health, financial stability, and resources/tools to achieve goals.
Donating
Project Sanctuary is funded 100% by charitable contributions. The majority of our donors are individuals from across the country who have a passion to honor our service members and their families. Additional funding come from companies, foundations and event proceeds hosted by third parties.
Donors can choose to make a gift online at https://projectsanctuary.us/donate/
Additionally, donors may mail a check to:
Project Sanctuary
PO Box 1563
Granby, CO 80446
Facebook / Virtual Birthday Fundraising
Ask your friends and family to honor you by making a donation to Project Sanctuary. Visit
https://www.facebook.com/fund/ProjectSanctuary/ to get started. No Facebook, no problem! Contact Tracy Cullinan at [email protected] for assistance.
Corporate Matching Gift: Double Your Donation
Many companies encourage their employees to make charitable contributions by matching their philanthropic support. To find out if your company matches gifts talk to your human resource officer or click this link to search for your company. https://doublethedonation.com/ProjectSanctuary
Yes, Project Sanctuary is proud to be an official charity within in the Combined Federal Campaign, which allows Federal Employees to make payroll contributions. Our CFC number for making payroll donations is: 89990
Additionally, Project Sanctuary is an official charity within the Colorado Combined Campaign, an employee giving program for State of Colorado employees. Our CCC number for making payroll donations is: 1468
Estate Plans, Wills, Trust & Life Insurance
You can donate through your estate planning by naming Project Sanctuary in your will for a specific amount or a percentage share in your estate. Another option is to name Project Sanctuary as the beneficiary of your estate after payment of bequests to all others. You may also name Project Sanctuary as a beneficiary of an existing or new life insurance plan. You can learn more about these options and more at https://projectsanctuary.us/legacy-giving/
We suggest talking with your financial advisor to see what the best option for you will be as you consider leaving a legacy that will support at-risk military families for years to come.
Yes, we periodically have needs for items specifically related to our therapeutic retreats and accept in-kind gifts around these needs.
Project Sanctuary has achieved the highest rating from Charity Navigator (four stars) and Guidestar (Platinum) five years in a row due to our fiscally responsible practices.
More than 80% of funds go to directly support our programs.
If you are interested in making a gift via wire transfer or have any questions on any of the above giving options, please contact our Chief Development Officer, Carrie Bair-Norwood at [email protected]
26-1410596
Volunteering
Anyone with a heart to serve our military families and can pass a background check. No military experience or affiliation required. Must be 18+ if coming alone.
Complete the application online at: https://projectsanctuary.us/forms/
No, you can split it up. We do ask that you stay with us at least two consecutive nights for housekeeping purposes and to maintain continuity with our families.
- Sign up for information about our Ambassador program to keep up–to–date on ways to support PS.
- Share our content, tell your friends, be willing to speak on behalf of PS at events in your area.
- If you want to volunteer a special talent….just ask!
Safety is a top priority for our staff and families. We follow strict CDC guidelines by state including but not limited to: Smaller retreat size, masks, grouping families and distancing, no buffet-style dining options, monitoring individual temperatures and continuous hand washing.
- Yes. Older children (10 and above) are great helpers. However, certain retreat locations do not allow children of any age due to lodging arrangements. Please inquire when your retreat location is determined.
- During the current Covid climate, we are unable to take children under five years of age because of the difficulty with social distancing at that age. The health and safety of our families, staff and volunteers are our priority.
Absolutely! Please fill out our service dog registration form. Please note: Emotional Support Animals are NOT considered service animals and not allowed.
We provide all meals and lodging during the retreat. Depending on the location of the retreat, you will stay in hotel–style housing close to where the staff stays.
