What we do
Home Gardens
Develop and build home gardens in order to educate, reintegrate and cultivate healthy family relationships and communication within the participants own residence with home grown sustainable food, herbs, flowers and or a meditative space for reflection. All materials and education included.
Grateful for the support by the Hellen Jose Colton Foundation
Military Valor Community Gardens
Our goal is to provide access to learning about gardening, healthy food options, sense of purpose and camaraderie working together as a community. We are grateful to CEF/Taft Garden in Ojai for the beautiful private gardening and restorative space. We offer Wellness Workshops and Retreats focusing on medicinal plants, gardening and healthy coping strategies through mindfulness, yoga and nature walks. Also, we are looking forward to developing a small Archery course. Stay tuned for more information.
We now have fulfilled our vision of another garden site: we are offering the military families at Catalina Heights in Camarillo the opportunity to garden together as families to explore the wonders of home grown food, camaraderie, laughter, and learning in order to provide healthy food options as well as wellness and therapeutic experiences. We appreciate the financial support from The Helen Jose Colton Foundation in order to provide this experience.
Farming Internships
Based on experience with the Veteran Farmers of America (VFA) program, to provide an educational hands on experiential learning internships with the partnerships from various local farms to mentor and assist in a potential career in the agricultural industry, college pathway or learn how to cultivate own garden.
The benefit to the veterans will be helping them transition from protecting their country to providing their fellow Americans with food, which will undoubtedly continue to give them a sense of contribution, pride and fulfilment. The new mission is food security for the US. Many times after discharge, veterans cannot find meaningful work and going from being a hero to working in menial labor is difficult to say the least. Agriculture will offer veterans the opportunity to continue their quest and desire to give back, which we hope will improve their emotional well being. The farms and agricultural businesses will also benefit as veterans will help solve the current skilled labor shortage.We hope, this program can decrease veteran unemployment and daily suicide rate. Veterans are 1% of the population, but represent 20% of the suicde rate in America. Also, if there is an interest, VHF will offer this internship program to the caregiver. Various levels of time commitment available.
Animal Assisted Therapy
Experience an opportunity participating in our Gaining Ground Equine & Alpaca Program. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning is a powerful experiential modality exploring and developing healthy relationships and connection to self and others through the guidance and wisdom of horses along with a licensed therapist. Currently, we offer individual, family and group equine sessions at StandInBalance Ranch in Westlake Village. We are grateful to Dr. Val Coleman, the owner of this amazing ranch and healing herd. No horse experience necessary, all horse activities are on the ground. Horses offer metaphorical learning, mirroring the human body language and feelings of the participant. Sessions are solution oriented in order for the client to discover the best solutions for themselves. In these sessions, the benefits can include learning new coping strategies, enhancing mental health, wellness and life skills through the relationship with the horse.
VHF is collaborating with Cindy Harris from Alpacas of Windy Hill in Somis. We will be offering individual and group sessions learning about mindfulness, healthy coping strategies and life skills by interacting and learning from the alpacas innate prey wisdom.
Please contact us for more information on this new program coming soon.
Benefits from our programing
Psychological
reduces anxiety, depression, stress & tension
increases confidence & hopefulness
rewards nurturing behavior
stimulates senses through observing, touching, tasting & smelling plants/flowers
Cognitive
improves concentration & ability to focus
teaches new skills & provides job training
improves problem-solving & planning skills
exercises memory & promotes positive thinking
Social
encourages social interaction
improves coping skills & motivation
helps build good work habits & attitudes
Physical
improves strength, stamina & mobility
increases energy & endurance
exercises hand-eye coordination