Congratulations, Healing Warriors Program!

Earlier this month we made a quick trip to Washington D.C. to watch my sister, Ana Yelen, accept a grant awarded to her nonprofit, Healing Warriors Program.  It was such an honor to be there to see her accept this award for a cause that she has put so much time, energy, blood, sweat and tears into, in order to provide much-needed services to our military service member community.

The grant was awarded by Newman's Own Foundation at the 19th Annual Newman’s Own Awards Ceremony at the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes, along with co-sponsors Fisher House Foundation and Military Times ... all outstanding organizations that do a great deal to support our service men and women.  Five grants were awarded during this ceremony to nonprofits which have created innovative programs that improve the quality of life for our military.

The grant was presented by General Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which completely blew us away.  It was absolutely momentous to be escorted through the Pentagon to the Hall of Heroes, and be in the presence of the nation's highest-ranking military officer and principal military advisor to the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council.  We were in illustrious company indeed, that day.

Paul Newman, esteemed actor and founder of Newman's Own, was also a Navy Veteran who served in the Pacific during World War II.  In addition to contributing to many other charities, he was determined to help veterans in need, and Newman's Own has supported a number of military charities through the years.  This annual grant competition rewards innovation and ingenuity for programs that benefit service men and women, and their families.  It was quite an honor that they recognized Ana's nonprofit as one of those organizations.

Ana Yelen and Shelley Poland,
co-founders of Healing Warriors Program

Healing Warriors Program provides non-narcotic Integrative Care therapies for the treatment of pain, anxiety, sleep disorders, and the symptoms of PTSD, in order to advance the individual wellbeing of veterans and their families.

Acupuncture, CranioSacral and Healing Touch therapies are provided at their northern Colorado clinic, as well as other locations around Denver, to our Active Duty and Veteran service member community.  HWP is a registered VA Vendor with the Denver and Cheyenne VA.

The suicide rate among veterans is alarming.  Anything that can be done to help veterans manage the physical pain from their injuries as well as the psychological traumas they endure during battle, without the use of opioids and other drugs, helps to reverse this trend.

Whatever support can be given to our active duty and returning service men and women and their families to reestablish normal lives again, is hugely important work.  I am thrilled that HWP received this recognition.

We took full advantage of our time there to hit many sights in Washington D.C., including the impressive new Museum of the Bible, the International Spy Museum, and many of the National Monuments and Memorials (many of which I had never seen before), as well as dine at some of the best restaurants in our nation's capital, and even visit with family who live and work in D.C.  It was an outstanding trip in every way!

Once again I have to say ... Congratulations, Ana, Shelley, and Healing Warriors Program!
And a huge thank you to Newman's Own, Fisher House Foundation, and Military Times for your support!

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