About Guardian Revival
Our Mission:
Guardian Revival is a New York State 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization chartered to revive & preserve the mental health & well-being of veterans & first responders — our guardians — at no cost to them.
Another Summit | Outdoor adventures — walking, hiking, backpacking, and paddling
Boots & Paws | Providing dogs for the therapeutic benefits of animal companionship
Encore | Opportunities to learn, write, play, record, and share music
G-Connect | Virtual & in-person experiences to connect with guardians & the community
Peer Services | Individual & group peer support for guardians by guardians
GROWTH & MAJOR MILESTONES
NATIONAL Reach
Through both in-person and online offerings, our programs have directly impacted guardians in states across the country.
Who we serve
A guardian is a defender, protector, or keeper.
Our guardians are veterans & first responders — a far broader group than most people assume or imagine, who are exposed to mental & physical trauma & stress.
Military ᐧ Fire & Rescue ᐧ Law Enforcement ᐧ Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Dispatchers ᐧ Corrections Officers ᐧ Federal Agents
The Problem
Mental illness and suicide are disproportionately high among our Nation’s guardians in comparison to the general population.
14% of Americans
who die by suicide every day are veterans,
but veterans are only 7% of the population
AN ESTIMATED 60%
of first responder suicides go unreported
Veterans aged 18-34 are
3x more likely
to die by suicide than their nonveteran counterparts
APPROXIMATELY 50%
of first responders experience suicidal ideation
STIGMAS & BARRIERS TO HELP
Stigmas related to mental health treatment among guardians make it even more difficult to address this problem, largely stemming from a culture that values self-reliance and “toughing it out” and marginalizes those experiencing distress or asking for help.
Guardian Revival approaches the topic of mental health with non-clinical language & programs positioned to avoid these stigmas & barriers.
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Self
personally held, negative attitudes towards mental health
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Social
belief that the community has prejudiced views of mental health
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Professional
career consequences of seeking help, no longer able to work
Our programs offer a complimentary approach to healthcare, so that our guardians can improve their lives through empowered, integrative methods.
Our goals
Decreased sense of loneliness
Increased sense of purpose
Growth in social network
Increased sense of belonging
Improved physical health
Together, these yield improved overall well-being.
Guardian Testimonials
“The outings are rewarding, I find myself feeling less stressed and more confident in many areas of my life.”
“It’s more than just exercise, it’s like taking off your blinders and being able to really see the world and appreciate it for what it is.”
“You changed my life. Getting her made me a happier person, hands down. I have more accountability, I wake up earlier, I train more frequently, and I feel like I have more purpose in my day to day.”
“Guardian Jams are the best part of my week. My mind gets to check out for a bit, and I get to just focus on the music with others like me who are passionate about the same thing.”
“Her adage "there's no way to do this wrong" was the first time that anyone has actually said this about anything I've done, so while it doesn't sound revolutionary, it really is a big "take away" for a quick hour of my time.”
Our Approach
We focus on offering options that are both appealing & accessible.
Through their participation, guardians build beneficial routines & skills, relationships & connections with others, and ownership & accountability.
Guardian Revival programs are founded on 10 key principles
We target specific, critical challenges: social isolation, theoretical & impractical approaches, and inaccessible & inequitable resources.
Our programs are consciously developed & designed to be accessible, applicable, actionable, and encourage social connection.
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Real world skills, experiences, and applications make it time well spent for the guardian
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Long-lasting and sustainable habits & practices
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Backed by scientific research & empirical data
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Capable of impacting millions of guardians through nationwide support
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Facilitate connections with fellow guardians
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Strengthen community relationships & transparency
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Accommodates the guardian’s family and integrates them
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Available to all generations of guardians
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Open to the full, diverse population of guardians
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Guardians never pay for anything we offer
All our programs are provided free of cost to guardians, so the support of donations, volunteers, and sponsorships make it all possible.
Please contact us to discuss potential sponsorship options or in-kind donations: hello@guardianrevival.org
We can also help you set up an easy-to-use fundraising page, so you can collectively support a donation or sponsorship package with family, friends, or coworkers.
Support
Upcoming
Events
Our Programs
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Another Summit
Outdoor adventures — walking, hiking, backpacking, and paddling
JOIN AN ADVENTURE
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Boots & Paws
Providing dogs for the therapeutic benefits of animal companionship
APPLY FOR A DOG
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Encore
Opportunities to learn, write, play, record, and share music
PLAY MUSIC WITH US
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G-Connect
Virtual & in-person experiences to connect with guardians & the community
CONNECT WITH PEERS