Families that live with our HEROES that cope with PTS can be very hard and even harmful for the family bond and personal relationships. PTS not only impacts the HERO, but also the people that surround them. Many times, the HERO may avoid expressing emotions and even detach from others, leading further issues within the family and personal relationships to include behavioral problems among the children.
To strengthen the family unit, Friends of Freedom annually sponsors five Arizona Hero families to participate in Camp OBR, a structured healing environment focused on reconnection and resilience. We also host and support The Heroes Journey workshops, enabling 25 Heroes to address Post-Traumatic Stress through structured storytelling modalities that benefit both the individual and family system. Additionally, alongside our partners, we have co-sponsored the Snowball Express for 15 years, a national initiative annually supporting 1,000 to 1,800 children who have lost a parent in combat. This program has served over 19,000 children across 48 states.
Mindfulness, can help individuals learn how to use meditation to stay present, avoid attention lapses, and mentally prepare for stressful situations, may be of benefit our heroes cope with past and future events. Studies suggest that mindfulness training, can improve resilience, enhance performance, and help prevent the other stress-related mental health issues.
As part of our commitment to resilience and recovery from invisible war injuries, Friends of Freedom launched and funded a Music Therapy Program. Conducted in partnership with Heartstrings Guitar Foundation and Fender Guitars, this initiative provides each participating Hero with a new guitar and instructional support.
Research has shown that America’s Heroes are high risk for mental health issues such as posttraumatic stress (PTS), depression, to include traumatic brain injury (TBI) and that these issues often go untreated. When left untreated, mental health concerns such as these often become worsen and may lead to suicidal ideation or even suicide.
Mental resilience is rarely built in isolation, it is forged through shared experience and the healing power of nature. To put this into action, Friends of Freedom contributed $5,000 to fully outfit 10 Heroes for structured hiking and camping expeditions. These wilderness treks are intentionally designed to counter isolation, promote deep interpersonal connection, and build the mental resilience necessary for a successful post-service transition.
Research has shown that financial issues among our HERO’s has had significant impact on their over-all well-being, which impacts the overall quality of life. Money mismanagement such as debt, inability to pay for basic needs, and utilities, not only impacts the overall well-being of our HEROES, but also their mental health and quality of life.
True freedom requires long-term economic stability, which is why Friends of Freedom actively dismantles financial barriers for veterans and their families. Our sustained initiatives provide critical relief and career pathways right where they are needed most by assisting over 500 Hero families with emergency housing, vehicle repairs, and utility support, alongside delivering 13 life-altering mobility devices valued at $120,000. To foster lasting independence, we sponsored a major Career Expo resulting in over 1,000 veteran interviews with 72 companies, and provided a $15,000 grant to certify five Heroes as Wilderness First Responders to expand their career capabilities in the outdoor industry.
Studies have shown physical activities have a positive impact on our overall health. Playing a major role in the fight against mental health and influences well-being. Physical activities improve self-esteem, cognitive function, and overall health. Physical activity 1-3 times a week reduces stress. Group activities helps individuals reintegrate into social groups and provides a sense of belonging.
We leverage outdoor engagement to promote mental and physical well-being. Friends of Freedom has supported therapeutic multi-day excursions serving over 50 veterans and families with Veteran Overland Expeditions, contributed outfitting resources for Freedom Trek Expeditions, and funded Wilderness First Responder certifications for Arizona Trail VETS. Our expedition support has empowered nine amputee warriors to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, enabled 14 disabled veterans to complete a Rim-to-Rim Grand Canyon expedition, and provided embedded logistical support for a blind veteran’s TransAmerica Trail and Continental Divide cycling expeditions, reinforcing the principle that disability does not define capability.
Families that live with our HEROES that cope with PTS can be very hard and even harmful for the family bond and personal relationships. PTS not only impacts the HERO, but also the people that surround them. Many times, the HERO may avoid expressing emotions and even detach from others, leading further issues within the family and personal relationships to include behavioral problems among the children.
To strengthen the family unit, Friends of Freedom annually sponsors five Arizona Hero families to participate in Camp OBR, a structured healing environment focused on reconnection and resilience. We also host and support The Heroes Journey workshops, enabling 25 Heroes to address Post-Traumatic Stress through structured storytelling modalities that benefit both the individual and family system. Additionally, alongside our partners, we have co-sponsored the Snowball Express for 15 years, a national initiative annually supporting 1,000 to 1,800 children who have lost a parent in combat. This program has served over 19,000 children across 48 states.
Mindfulness, can help individuals learn how to use meditation to stay present, avoid attention lapses, and mentally prepare for stressful situations, may be of benefit our heroes cope with past and future events. Studies suggest that mindfulness training, can improve resilience, enhance performance, and help prevent the other stress-related mental health issues.
As part of our commitment to resilience and recovery from invisible war injuries, Friends of Freedom launched and funded a Music Therapy Program. Conducted in partnership with Heartstrings Guitar Foundation and Fender Guitars, this initiative provides each participating Hero with a new guitar and instructional support.
Research has shown that America’s Heroes are high risk for mental health issues such as posttraumatic stress (PTS), depression, to include traumatic brain injury (TBI) and that these issues often go untreated. When left untreated, mental health concerns such as these often become worsen and may lead to suicidal ideation or even suicide.
Mental resilience is rarely built in isolation, it is forged through shared experience and the healing power of nature. To put this into action, Friends of Freedom contributed $5,000 to fully outfit 10 Heroes for structured hiking and camping expeditions. These wilderness treks are intentionally designed to counter isolation, promote deep interpersonal connection, and build the mental resilience necessary for a successful post-service transition.
Research has shown that financial issues among our HERO’s has had significant impact on their over-all well-being, which impacts the overall quality of life. Money mismanagement such as debt, inability to pay for basic needs, and utilities, not only impacts the overall well-being of our HEROES, but also their mental health and quality of life.
True freedom requires long-term economic stability, which is why Friends of Freedom actively dismantles financial barriers for veterans and their families. Our sustained initiatives provide critical relief and career pathways right where they are needed most by assisting over 500 Hero families with emergency housing, vehicle repairs, and utility support, alongside delivering 13 life-altering mobility devices valued at $120,000. To foster lasting independence, we sponsored a major Career Expo resulting in over 1,000 veteran interviews with 72 companies, and provided a $15,000 grant to certify five Heroes as Wilderness First Responders to expand their career capabilities in the outdoor industry.
Studies have shown physical activities have a positive impact on our overall health. Playing a major role in the fight against mental health and influences well-being. Physical activities improve self-esteem, cognitive function, and overall health. Physical activity 1-3 times a week reduces stress. Group activities helps individuals reintegrate into social groups and provides a sense of belonging.
We leverage outdoor engagement to promote mental and physical well-being. Friends of Freedom has supported therapeutic multi-day excursions serving over 50 veterans and families with Veteran Overland Expeditions, contributed outfitting resources for Freedom Trek Expeditions, and funded Wilderness First Responder certifications for Arizona Trail VETS. Our expedition support has empowered nine amputee warriors to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, enabled 14 disabled veterans to complete a Rim-to-Rim Grand Canyon expedition, and provided embedded logistical support for a blind veteran’s TransAmerica Trail and Continental Divide cycling expeditions, reinforcing the principle that disability does not define capability.
Social activities are known to improve mood and actually can reduce depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Research has shown that feeling socially connected is a key factor in overall health and well-being.
Social connection is a pillar of our programming. In collaboration with our partners, our Salute to the Troops program provided four days of morale support and workforce reintegration education over Veterans Day weekend, serving over 1,500 Heroes and family members from 2009-2021. Furthermore, we engage in community response, such as providing operational assistance to Operation Barbecue Relief during the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, contributing to the delivery of 22,000 meals over a 17-day period.
Social Activities
Social activities are known to improve mood and actually can reduce depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Research has shown that feeling socially connected is a key factor in overall health and well-being.
Social connection is a pillar of our programming. In collaboration with our partners, our Salute to the Troops program provided four days of morale support and workforce reintegration education over Veterans Day weekend, serving over 1,500 Heroes and family members from 2009-2021. Furthermore, we engage in community response, such as providing operational assistance to Operation Barbecue Relief during the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, contributing to the delivery of 22,000 meals over a 17-day period.