Starfish Foundation Inc
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April 18, 2012
I staffed a VJH seminar for the first time last weekend. I did not really know what to expect. What I found was a safe and loving environment where each veteran was allowed to take as much time as he or she needed to tell his or her story in its entirety. Then each veteran was allowed to do a piece of work to help heal one or more wounds created as a result of his or her time in service. The transformations I saw on that weekend were truly amazing. I will staff again as soon as possible.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
March 26, 2012
I have resisted for a while to participate in this Journey Home Weekend. I served during the Persian Gulf War and did not realize how much I was hiding, repressing and denying from 23 years ago! It was a most powerful and enlightening weekend! I regret not having done it sooner. I will come back and staff and my goal is to bring this weekend to Dallas and have it 6 x a year. I would strongly recommend this weekend to anyone who has served, is serving and members of those women and men that have already sacrificed so much! Thank you to all the wonderful participants as we all had each other's backs and understood one another very well regardless of age difference. A huge blessing to the staff who held such a wonderful sacred space for all the particpants and made it that extra special! Thank you for your giveaway and its now time for me to step up and share the gift with other Vets that I received!
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
January 22, 2012
I'm a peacetime vet and staffed a weekend recently. I saw a men and women treated with dignity, honor and respect the entire time. There was no politics or stance on war one way or another, it was simply a safe place where wounds could be looked at and healed. Often, it was the other participants who provided the authentic perspective so needed for another to heal their own injuries. I saw men release messages about themselves they've been carrying for 40 years. Messages about their own conduct or about "sitting it out" in some cushy assignment while others saw heat. I myself found some peace with my perspective on the military ceremony, saluting and the flag: whereas before it was just junk to me, it took on new meaning as a commonality between all veterans: wartime, peacetime, man, woman, officer, enlisted, survivor, wounded, killed. It felt good to have new messages inserted where there used to be only confusion and pain.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
October 25, 2011
I am a wife of a veteran that went through the program 3 years ago. I cannot say enough about this wonderful organization and the many volunteers that offer so much of their time and unconditional love to veterans. After the vets goes through this weekend experience, they have a graduation ceremony for them where family and friends are invited to come. I walked into the room prior to the ceremony and chills came over me and tears immediately came rolling down my cheek. I was filled with a wave of emotion just by entering the room as I knew something had changed. There were many times before this weekend I considered taking our children and leaving as we didn't know the husband and dad we were living with anymore. We just as everyone else had expected him to come back just the same man as when he left for Iraq. This was definitely not the case. War changes a person no matter what their role; combat or not. It was such a struggle watching this beautiful soul who is my husband turn into such a different person. I didn't know who he was anymore and struggled as I didn't want to leave and take the father away from our children even though we didn't know this person anymore. He tried to burry himself in work, college, and a huge overhaul of our home (all at the same time) to keep his mind occupied. I adapted and tried to make things as normal as I could for our family. We started seeing behaviors modeled by our children that we were seeing in him and knew something had to change. I often remember thinking..."what am I doing wrong?" He was involved with the VA and were starting to see some results from his counseling there, however there was something missing. He was realizing the same things. He discovered VJH and noticed there was a weekend coming near and it was held in the Northern Wisconsin Woods, a perfect setting for him. I am eternally grateful for the staff and instructors that weekend that gave him their expertise, support, and unconditional love. It was just the emotional healing that he needed! This gave him the tools he needed to deal with his PTSD as well as the tools he needed to be the husband and dad we knew he was. I am glad to report today that our marriage is saved, he is more of a dad than I could have ever asked for, and an amazing person to be able to share my life's journey with. Please encourage anyone you love to find the nearest program weather they are an OIF/OEF vets, Saudi, Vietnam, Korea, any vet needs to find this program. I have since had the privilege give back to staff one of these weekends, there were veterans that attended from Vietnam that were STILL holding on to guilt or shame from their tour and were able to release that. It was so amazing to me to see the look on a veteran participants face on Friday when they arrived and compare it to Sunday at the graduation ceremony...in many cases you wonder if you are looking at the same person. Incredible and by far one of the best experiences of my life to be privileged to be a part of. I am happy not only to be there to help the veteran but also to represent and help the families of these veterans that are suffering and most likely suffering silently as we were.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
September 9, 2010
VJH, Vet's Journey Home, helped me to start the healing. It opened my mind to new and exciting ventures. I feel as though I have direction in my life, that there is a purpose for me, and that I am proud of who I have become and the accomplishments I've made. I had to overcome many barriers and am still wrestling with I few. I feel that VJH gave me the tools and inspiration to overcome these challenges. I didn't realize I had so many mixed feelings bottled up within me for so many years until experiencing VJH. It helped me to release the anger, guilt, and shame I had carried with me for so many years. After that I felt this huge weight lifted from me and literally felt I could run a mile. I couldn't remember the last time I felt that good in my body, that much energy, and that much relief. Overall, the VJH experiece, had a very deep impact on my heart of hearts and a profound effect on my psche. I would definitely recommend this course to any vet still suffering from thier military experiences. Yours Truly, Daniel J. Morrison
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my whole outlook on life has changed.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
My Role: Volunteer & Each volunteer is assigned a specific role at a retreat and it varies from one to the other. Primarily, the volunteer staff members assist with the lead staff in any way that they can. Also, a volunteer is a mentor to one of the participants. Even as a s.
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April 1, 2010
I attended a Veterans Journey Home retreat as a participant in Houston, TX during the spring of 2008 and it was a very helpful experience. The staff was very experienced and knowledgable about the subject matter and made me feel extremely comfortable with sharing my Vietnam experience. The staff's technique and caring they utilized was different with each veteran because each veteran had a different experience. It was gentle and understanding and I feel this helped tremendously with the healing process. It has been two years for me now and I still fall back on some of the tools that I learned at that retreat to help me deal with issues. I'm not sure how it could be improved?
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
The staff and volunteers are very knowledgable and experienced with the subject matter at hand and they take their approach to healing from the heart and not so much from the mind.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
March 29, 2010
VETS JOURNEY HOME: As a Marine I went to Viet Nam in 1966-1967. I was attached to a unit that really got into the thick of America's experience with 'Nam. Things happened that I was sure I would never be able to "shake" on a mental and physical level. Being very much in-volved, my family just knew eventualy the 'Nam experiences would dull enough for us to live a normal life-but that wasn't the case for us. God allows each of us a time to heal from what-ever life has presented-for me, Vets Journey Home last Oct.'09, was my opportunity to under-stand myself. I came to know that what had happened to me was a severe case of guilt-survivor's guilt. But I was able to take it all, put it aside and know what I had carried for over 40 yrs. was a completed task-and God would say, "Well done-my faithful son." The load had been lifted and no longer would any one hold us accountable for what happened in VietNam. I can't tell you what a release that was-Vets Journey Home has changed my life. JAN.2010 - My beautiful wife and I attended as a couple the Vets Journey Home Couples Weekend & what a blessing this weekend afforded this marriage. The last 43 yrs.of PTSD and all the things I contributed to our marriage were finally gone-a fresh start & now a new rela-tionship with my "bride" makes life so new, so blessed. Our 40 yr-old son, 38 yr-old daughter & 30 yr-old second daughter have noticed a dif-ference in Mom & Dad's marriage. THANKS TO ALL who are involved in the network of Vets Journey Home. The "process" of going thru the different exercises is rough-but "nothing ventured, nothing gained". With regards to the instructors: words CANNOT describe our gratitude! The rewards are breath taking!!! I really thought my life was over-BUT NOW my life has just begun!! What an adven-ture is ahead - WOW!!!! SANDY & DEAN FULKERSON HOUSTON, TEXAS
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my life/my physical & mental health - in my marriage - in my family.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
include more couples weekends.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the bonding & friendships that develop as a result of these weekend encounters.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
compassionate, sensitive, honoring, knowledgeable individuals that have a passion for bringing hope & healing to those they serve.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
provide Hope & Healing to tens of thousands of veterans & their families.
Ways to make it better...
It could not have been any better.......
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
finances. Many more young & old service-men could be reached and helped if the finances were readily available. Every penny is used wisely & only GOOD results come from these Vets Journey Home week-ends.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Thank God, I said "Yes" to attending the 2 weekends this last year. My life is forever changed and I am indebted to the providers, the staff & the instructors assisting those weekends. Thank you from the bottom of my heart & that of my wife's.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
March 23, 2010
Vets Journey Home saved my life after a deployment to Iraq. I would rececommend to any veteran of any war wanting to get a piece of themselves back. I go back continually to let others know what it has done for me and continues to do for others by leaving nobody behind. Not all wounds are visible.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
several times of my life
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
unconditional love
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
wonderful
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
change the military and the world
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
March 22, 2010
I was able to attend the Veterans Returning program with my husband. This was the first time wives were able to attend with their spouses. I was able to meet others with problems that sometimese seemed like I was alone trying to face. This program was fantastic! It helped my husband and myself face problems and really TALK and UNDERSTAND about the stresses and difficulties that were tearing our family apart. We were helped to open up and share what was hurting us. In that same process we were able to hear from others having similar problems and realize we are NOT alone. There is help for us. I hope this program will be avaliable for everyone to participate in. I can't say enough about what a help it is.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
being able to realize there is help for us. We are not alone.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the care and concern and expert help from the staff and trainers.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
wonderful and caring. They were understanding and able to provide a safe environment for sharing.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help so many more veterans and their families cope with problems many do not understand.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
March 17, 2010
I am honored and humbled by being able to witness the veterans journey home. It brings tears to my eyes to think that these men and women put their lives and life on the line for me, my freedom and all of America. VJH is truly a safe place for every vet to come home. My husband, a VN vet, participated and afterwards his PTSD changed and life was much more pleasant.
More feedback...
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
reach more vets and bring them safely home
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009