G-Connect

Experiences, resources, and peer support for veterans & first responders — by guardians, for guardians. 

Guardian Connect (G-Connect) helps guardians to revive & preserve their mental health & wellbeing alongside those who have shared a similar journey. 

If you are a guardian, we would love for you to join G-Connect. Please fill out this form to be added to our updates email list and help us learn more about you, your guardian status, branch of service, and what you're interested in. Thank you!

Gatherings

Peer support is particularly valuable because it allows meaningful connections to develop in a safe environment where fellow participants understand the group’s unique pressures, factors, and scenarios faced.

Our peer support gatherings allow guardians to connect over shared experiences and similarities. We encourage you to continue building your network of peer guardians & connections to your community.

Experiences

We offer regular opportunities for guardians to gather together for recreation, learning, discussion, and connection. These shared experiences promote community and facilitate the development of meaningful relationships.

Experience series themes include art, writing, health & wellness, professional skills, outdoor recreation, canine ownership, music, and more.

Community

Community is the foundation for healthy & purposeful living. Our guardians often struggle with integrating back into their community after their time in service. Community is the fabric of a healthy and stable society, and a sense of connectedness through community offers meaning and purpose for something bigger than self. G-Connect offers our guardians with opportunities to reconnect with the community they once swore to defend and protect.

G-Connect Calendar

See our upcoming events below — please RSVP to join! All are free to our guardians.

Event Type

Event

Attendees

Date

Time

Location

RSVP

Gathering

First Line Meet & Greet

Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, EMS, Dispatchers, Corrections, and Federal Agents

5/31/23 Mon

6:30 - 7:30 pm ET

Carmel VFW

Experience

Nutrition for Everyday Performance

Guardians

6/07/23 Wed

11 am - 12 pm ET

Zoom

Experience

iRest Meditation

Guardians & families / friends

6/12/23 Mon

7:30 pm ET

Zoom

Gathering

First Line

Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, EMS, Dispatchers, Corrections, and Federal Agents

6/12/23 Mon

7 pm ET

Zoom

Experience

Renegades Baseball Game

Guardians & families / friends

6/13/23

6 pm ET

Dutchess Stadium

Experience

Art Workshop

Guardians

6/14/23 Wed

6:30 pm ET

Carmel

Experience

Writing Workshop

Guardians

6/20/23 Tues

6:30 pm ET

Zoom

Experience

Writing Workshop

Guardians

6/20/23 Tues

6:30 pm ET

Mahopac

Experience

Business Keynote & Panel

Guardians + bring a friend / partner

6/21/23 Tues

6:30 pm ET

Carmel

Gathering

First Line

Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, EMS, Dispatchers, Corrections, and Federal Agents

6/26/23 Mon

10:30 am ET

Carmel

Gathering

Women Guardians

Women veterans and first responders

6/27/23 Tues

8 pm ET

Zoom

Experience

"With No Name on the Marquee" Play

Guardians + families / friends

6/30/23 Fri

6:00 pm ET

Beacon

Experience

"With No Name on the Marquee" Play

Guardians + families / friends

7/01/23 Sat

2:00 pm ET

Beacon

Gathering

Vet2Vet

Veterans, Active Military, Reserve & National Guard

Every Friday

6 pm ET

Zoom


Examples of our Guardian Experience Series:

Art

Art workshops focused on accessing your creative mind and the therapeutic effects of the arts

Wellness

Wellness workshops covering a variety of topics, including nutrition, mindfulness, and fitness & sleep.

Writing

Writing workshops focused on accessing your creative mind and the therapeutic effects of the arts

Leadership

Leadership workshop designed to stimulate personal & professional growth.

Vet2Vet

Veteran focused gathering

Firstline

First responder focused gethering

Canine RX

Gatherings for canine owners to learn and develop ways to maximize canine companionship

Women Guardians

Virtual women's gatherings for both female veterans & first responders

Outdoor RX

Educational gatherings focused on outdoor adventure.

Music RX

Gatherings centered around music skills, history, and culture.

JOSEPH P. DWYER

Guardian Connect's peer support services are funded in part by the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Vet2Vet program, an initiative of New York State administered through Putnam County, NY.

The Dwyer program was created to provide peer support for veterans affected by PTSD and/or TBI. Joseph P. Dwyer was an Army veteran who suffered from severe PTSD and died at age 31 from an overdose on June 28, 2008.