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.