Future Facility
Have you ever wanted to do more than simply thank a veteran for their service?
This is your chance to be a part of a unique organization that caters towards guiding veterans and their partners in learning to cope with their Post-Traumatic Stress. Differentiate yourself in this field by supporting the ongoing holistic retreats provided by the NVHWC as we expand and begin to develop our very own retreat facility in the mountains of Angel Fire, New Mexico.
The National Veterans Wellness and Healing Center (NVWHC), a 501c(3) non-profit organization, is building a retreat facility on our beautiful property adjacent to the Angel Fire Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Phase 1 of the facility will be construction of 15 luxury cabins/ RV sites surrounding a ceremonial fire pit. Phase 2 will consist of a two-story Community Building that will house the cafeteria, dining hall, classroom, Yoga studio, laundromat and 10 private therapy rooms. All allowing NVWHC to host more retreats throughout the year and by serving more and more veteran families from across the country.
Will you help us with Phase 1?
NVWHC Facts
- ESTABLISHED in 2009 by LTC Chuck Howe- US Army Retired. His vision was to assist veterans suffering from the invisible wounds of war (Post Traumatic Stress/PTS).
- HOSTED 47 retreats at zero costs to the participants (45 PTS retreats for veterans & their partners and 2 Female Military Sexual Trauma retreats).
- SERVED a total of 866 participants.
- TEACHES over 50 coping tools during each retreat including Experiential Education, Private Counseling, Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Chiropractic Care, Yoga, Art Therapy, Qi-ssage, Reiki, Communication and Relationship Enrichment, Horseback Riding and Native American ceremonies and activities.
- DECREASES rate of PTS symptoms in participants at the end of each retreat by 72%.
- POST-RETREAT counseling and follow-up is provided to Retreat participants.
- AWARDED a grant in 2015 by the New Mexico Department of Behavioral Health that provides all New Mexico veterans and their partners an opportunity to attend a retreat.
- RATED 100% Transparency on GuideStar.com.
- GIFTED 18 acres of land in 2019 by Harry & Brenda Patterson just adjacent to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for the future NVWHC Retreat Facility.
- PROGRESS was made in 2023 when NVWHC prepared the area to receive 15 cabins and community building. Fundraising continues to add the infrastructure.
- 14 YEARS the Angel Fire Resort has helped us to host our retreats…now it is time for us to EVOLVE and CREATE a facility of our own to SHARE with everyone.
NVWHC Participant Statements
Louis & Eileen
“My name is Louis Tenorio. I am Vietnam Veteran who served in 1971. Boots on the ground at 19 years old. I now suffer from severe Post Traumatic Stress and compromising medical conditions from Agent Orange exposure. My wife Eileen and I attended a NVWHC retreat in Angel Fire in the summer of 2021. Our lives were changed forever. We received counseling, non-traditional therapies and so much more. The retreat was organized with nothing but love, respect, understanding, and great professionalism. Our lives were changed so much that it is now our hope and dream that our experience can also belong to all of the veterans and their families that truly need it. If NVWHC had its own facility, it would mean that more veterans and their families could attend and receive healing. We would feel much more secure during the process and the bonding would be less stressful in a private setting that is designed to promote a greater sense of healing.. We are always and forever grateful to NVWHC and are excited for their future.”
Courtney
“I am a 100% disabled veteran and single Mom who had been hanging on to my very last thread. That is, until I found the National Veterans Wellness and Healing Center of Angel Fire. They literally saved my life; changed my life. Through their holistic healing of the mind and body, classes on PTS, talk therapy, yoga, Native American Indian practices, Reiki, massage therapy, chiropractic care and the kindness of the staff, I was able to heal and change my mindset. I was encompassed by a lifelong tribe that made me feel whole again. I can now thrive in life, rather than just survive. I am forever grateful to NVWHC and for the opportunity to attend. As a veteran that went through the program a couple of years back, which took place at a resort in Angel Fire, I can see why NVWHC would want their own facility to hold retreats and offer services to veterans. Although the resort was beautiful and accommodating, a healing space should be sacred and undisturbed. I feel the veterans NVWHC is serving, such as myself (having PTS and MST) would feel much more comfortable opening up and allowing transformation to take place with only the staff and other participants occupying the space. If you can imagine trying to heal from a traumatic event like being sexually assaulted and there are strangers nearby, healing can be more difficult. It would be a wonderful improvement in the program and its environment to remove the stressors from the equation by allowing more positive energy into the participants minds for healing and growth. As a veteran now helping serve and heal other veterans, it is most important to me that my fellow brother and sister receive the optimal and effective care that they deserve.”
Markus and Janice
“We attended a retreat in 2016 after waiting for three years to be accepted. We waited because funding for out-of-state veterans was unavailable (and continues to be a challenge). We committed to a lot of personal work during those three years and were in a truly different and beautiful place in our marriage when we were invited to attend a retreat in May 2016. The retreat we experienced was life altering! Our journey provided us with an opportunity to return to Angel Fire and join the NVWHC staff; allowing us the privilege of giving back to those who had given so much to us. Over the last 5 years, we have witnessed this organization grow in all the key areas necessary to make the leap forward towards establishing a permanent retreat facility. A private facility will provide a unique place solely dedicated to healing the minds, bodies and spirits of every visitor and retreat participant for years and years to come. For this dream to one day be reality, would not only be an answered prayer for us, but for countless other veteran families as well.”
Cabin Sponsorship Levels
PLATINUM LEVEL: One-time donation of $57,000 from an individual, business/ organization, family or group
As a Platinum cabin sponsor:
- Attend a ribbon cutting for your sponsored cabin
- Enjoy recognition during our Grand Opening and in our local newspaper
- Choose a custom name for your sponsored cabin to be featured on a beautiful plaque
- Have the opportunity to help decorate the inside of your sponsored cabin
- Have your biography (and logo) professionally featured inside your sponsored cabin (logo size limit: high (300 dpi) resolution JPEG or PDF)
- Enjoy a complimentary week each year in your sponsored cabin!
- Receive a yearly update from NVWHC, along with a tax deductible donation letter
- Receive 6 free tickets to any NVWHC event through 2026!
GOLD LEVEL: Multiple donations over time totaling $57,000 from an individual, business/ organization, family or group
As a Gold cabin sponsor:
- Attend a ribbon cutting for your sponsored cabin
- Enjoy recognition during our Grand Opening and in our local newspaper
- Choose a custom name for your sponsored cabin to be featured on a beautiful plaque
- Have your biography (and logo) professionally featured inside your sponsored cabin (logo size limit: high (300 dpi) resolution JPEG or PDF)
- Enjoy a complimentary week each year in your sponsored cabin!
- Receive a yearly update from NVWHC, along with a tax deductible donation letter
- Receive 4 free tickets to any NVWHC event through 2026!
SILVER LEVEL: Donation of $28,500 for half the cost of a cabin or in combination with another individual, business/organization, family or group
As a Silver cabin sponsor:
- Attend a ribbon cutting for your sponsored cabin
- Enjoy recognition during our Grand Opening and in our local newspaper
- Assist in choosing a custom name for your sponsored cabin to be featured on a beautiful plaque
- Receive a yearly update from NVWHC, along with a tax deductible donation letter
BRONZE LEVEL: Donation in any amount or in combination with another individual, business/ organization, family or group
As a Bronze cabin sponsor:
- Attend a ribbon cutting for your sponsored cabin
- Receive a yearly update from NVWHC, along with a tax deductible donation letter
A letter from our Board President…
Dear friends,
On behalf of all veterans and as a veteran with 23 years of service, I want to thank you for considering a donation to this cause. Post-Traumatic Stress is a hidden injury that not only affects the vet but family and friends as well. Your help makes a big difference in the healing process and in preventing suicide among our vets.
Please help as much as you can. As vets we appreciate your support.
Chuck Howe, LTC US A, Ret.
Board President
National Veterans Wellness and Healing Center in Angel Fire
RVN 1967-68
A sneak peek into a couple of the rooms of the Community Building, Phase 2 (plans coming SOON):