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ABOUT US |
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BACKGROUND Project New
Hope began in the fall of 2008 when Lions Club member, Bruce Billington - an avid outdoorsman, of Crosslake, Minnesota
viewed the value of weekend camps for people with
disabilities. Considering the peaceful natural setting and
the value of getting away from the roles of the Army base
and home life, he thought that such an experience might help
combat veterans working to integrate back into normal family
life and routines. His idea was picked up by the
International Lions Clubs
and has been spreading across the United States and into
Canada.
Bruce and Joel Graves met through a mutual friend (Stephen
L. Robinson, who helped Bruce start Project New Hope), and
with Bruce's counsel Joel contacted Past-District Governor
Jim McCown, who got him to join Lacey Midday Lions. Then
with the enthusiastic support of President Dee McDermott and
District Governor Dan Comsia, they went from an idea about
helping veterans in June 2009 to the first family camp in
January 2010. |
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NATIONAL
NEED Multiple deployments have beaten down
veterans and their families. The ability to cope with
problems and stresses is worn away by extended and frequent
absences from home. As a result, the incidents of divorce,
domestic violence, suicide, and homelessness are greater
among the veterans than the civilian population and at
unprecedented levels in the history of the Army. Because of
the overwhelming need, for the first time the Army Chaplain
Corps, with the approval of the Department of Defense, has
been reaching out into the local communities to organize and
create programs to help veterans.
LOCAL
NEED Between January and September of
2010, 35,000 soldiers returned to Fort Lewis (now Joint Base
Lewis-McChord or JBLM). Project New Hope helps veterans
and their families with retreats at local retreat/camps.
Lives are changed dramatically and the impact is profound.
It is a small part, but it is the Lion’s part – and it makes
a difference that will be felt a lifetime. It is our hope to
expand this program to help military members of all branches
of service, single soldiers, and veterans of past wars -
Desert Storm, Vietnam, Korea, WW2 and the many conflicts in
between. |
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The Lions
Connection |
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Local Lions Clubs
organize the retreats, set up the counseling and speakers,
provide youth activities and childcare, and help plan the
family activities for the weekend.
Receiving Help Leads to Helping Others
After being hit by three roadside bombs during his tour in
Iraq, SSG (retired) Mike Mills (at right) had burns on 35
percent of his body. Mike and his wife came to one of
Project New Hope’s first retreats in Minnesota and received
help.
“When you’re in the military, you’re told to suck up and
drive on. If you accept help, you’re weak. And if you go for
help, you’re going to be passed over for promotion and
that’s not true ... we need the help,” said Mike.
Mike and his wife are now Lions Club members of the Project
New Hope advisory panel. After donating their time at these
retreats, many counselors from the Veterans Administration
also become Lions. |
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 Lions
Club International - Project New Hope website:
http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/our-impact/lions-in-action/project-new-hope.php
VIEW VIDEO If
it comes up as a
black screen, you need to join YouTube, which is free. |
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