Kristin Van Huysen
Combat Veteran Reintegration and WELLbeing

WELLsville Veterans Project

Websites:

• http://wellvets.org

I am building momentum for the WELLsville Veteran Project and other similar missions around the nation. Beginning with seven dwellings I have in NY State, and blending with other folks with similar intention, we create a movement of compassion. care,and empowerment for the men and women returning from combat. The original goal of the WELLsville Veterans Project has been to provide safe, functional housing/healing space, training in conscious occupations and services , and hope for contemporary combat Veterans and their families The vision is not limited--it is national/international in scope--and it is about all of us. This vision has a place for participants from all walks of life.

My personal skills are in the healing arts, ---working one-on-0ne with Veterans and their loved ones is most rewarding. I seem to be weaving--threads connecting one to another suprise and delight me as I speak the intention of WELLsville to everyone I meet. This project involves each of us, as we are all affected by the issues our Warriors face. Reintegration is challenging. We can make it easier--and, in the long run, ease the future we all wish to see.

I need help with the business end of this movement. I need capable construction artists, to guide young Veterans in building and remodel of original houses we have right now. I need healing arts practitioners willing to share their knowledge and skills with our Warriors, so these men and women can become the true Healers they are meant to be--so they can care for one another, and find "redemption" (as I have heard them say), purpose, hope. I am connected to several other individuals and organizations with similar vision---we all need funding; PR; helping hands. We need to spread the word --to Warriors, politicians, media, the Public--that there are places for returnees to go where they can participate in their own healing, help serve one another , learn skills that fit their new perspective. We need to spread the word that there is Community willing to share the burden, and there is purpose for each returning Warrior.

"War and The Soul" by E. Tick, PhD, soldiersheart.net, voicesinwartime.org, cominghomeproject.net, veteransvillage.org, swords-to-plowshares.org, farmsnotarms.org, thinkbig-ward 57, ivaw.org, iava.org

As I research the issues around our military, our Warriors, the politics and business affecting this generation of service people and those coming before, I realize we are all product of the experience of war. By participating in care of returnees we have the opportunity to adjust our entire society toward more compassionate, healthy, peaceful action and reaction.

I am a mother of four grown children--they are the same age as the kids coming home from battle. I have been in the healing arts for decades. I am passionately devoted to doing all I can to guide our Warriors to health in Body, Mind, and Soul.