Higher Ground uses recreational therapy with counseling resources to address symptoms of PTSD and traumatic brain injuries and teach veterans to cope with the challenges of readjusting to civilian life. It does so by rekindling the skills they learned in the service through activities like skiing and water sports in a nonthreatening and supportive environment, which allows them to work collaboratively with others who are experiencing similar issues.

Many of these veterans are highly introverted about their issues and experiences, but through this program almost all of them seem to respond positively. Counselors follow up with participating veterans for three years afterward to provide support services jointly with organizations back in their home communities, to ensure they continue to get the help and support they need. The initial success of this program was eye-opening and left a lasting impression.

Koret’s grant to Higher Ground provides three years of funding to extend the program to more Bay Area veterans, as well as their spouses or partners, who play a key role in the physical and mental recovery and healing of service members as they return home.

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