Guest Blog From Patiences & Purpose
At Patients & Purpose, we care deeply about making a meaningful impact on peoples’ lives. So beyond the work we do on behalf of our clients, we support non-profits that share the same passions, and we even spearhead our own advocacy initiatives like the Lavender Purpose Project.
The Lavender Purpose Project is an initiative launched by Patients & Purpose in remembrance of Yvonne Lavender, a former agency partner. Yvonne was an incredible spirit who was passionate about living purposefully. In her memory, and to carry on her legacy, the Lavender Purpose Project supports agency employees as they positively impact the world.
This year’s Lavender Purpose Project will be supporting Project Sanctuary, an organization that helps military families heal, reconnect, and find hope again after service or deployment. After returning home from serving, veterans face higher rates of unemployment, suicide, and other challenges that affect mental health. Through unique therapeutic retreats, Project Sanctuary changes military families’ lives forever.
Our very own Stephen Medeiros, VP, Art Supervisor, selected to support Project Sanctuary with the goal of helping those who struggle with mental health hurdles. His mission became our mission — help veterans feel less alone, while reconnecting them with the ones they love.
MISSION 1: PLAN
With the onset of the pandemic, Stephen had to determine ways we could support the military families remotely. His solution was to have members of the agency create care packages (and lots of them) for families going on Project Sanctuary retreats.
In addition to helping those attending retreats, Project Sanctuary helped us expand our reach even further by connecting us with the United Service Organizations (USO) to send care packages to active service members to raise awareness of Project Sanctuary’s mission.
The retreat packages included a tote filled with journals, sketchpads, card games, art supplies, and more to help heal through self-expression. We also included a special bookmark that had an inspirational quote and information for mental health resources on it.
For the troops, we included essential supplies like toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, and other toiletries in addition to socks and playing cards.
MISSION 2: DISTRIBUTION
After weeks of collecting goods for the care packages, Stephen drove over 200 miles across the tri-state area to safely distribute the supplies to our volunteers. Each volunteer was given everything they’d need to create and send several care packages.
MISSION 3: PACK
Once all the supplies were safely distributed, it was time to pack! Our volunteers met virtually to assemble the care packages for the families going on Project Sanctuary retreats. In addition to the many goods, each package contained a note letting each family know that we are thinking of them and supporting their journey.
MISSION 4: SEND
We created over 300 care packages for veterans and their loved ones, and active service members. The care packages have officially been sent out to the military personnel and to military families participating in Project Sanctuary retreats.
A special thank you to all of our volunteers, to Stephen Medeiros, to essential workers, and to the members of the military and their families. We are grateful for all that you do!
For more behind the scenes from our mission to support Project Sanctuary, check us out on Instagram.
Learn more about the work Patients & Purpose has done for the Lavender Purpose Project.
