Project Sanctuary will help ten more military families through therapeutic retreat services May 27th through June 1st at YMCA of the Rockies, Snow Mountain Ranch, Granby, CO. Recent statistics indicate that 1.7 million American children and youth under age 18 have a parent serving in the military. Most of these parents will be deployed two or more times. With statistics from the Department of Defense that child abuse doubles and neglect triples during deployments, Project Sanctuary is stepping up to the challenge to help military families reconnect.“The stress on these families is enormous,” says Heather Ehle, Founder and Executive Director of Project Sanctuary. “It is our social responsibility to help these families.”
And help is what Project Sanctuary provides. Through a five-night, all expenses paid, therapeutic retreat, families experience time away from the daily stresses of life and experience healing and reconnection as they enjoy ATV rides, whitewater rafting, hiking, horseback riding, campfires and s’mores.
“$2800 is the cost for each family to attend a retreat,” says Ehle. “That’s a challenge in this economy, but our donors have been phenomenal! We are all beating the odds”.
With more than 550 families on a waiting list, and potentially several hundred thousand more, Ehle is determined to help everyone as funding becomes available. “We won’t stop until we have helped everyone!” proclaims Ehle. “I am proud to serve those that serve us!”
