NOT FORGOTTEN OUTREACH INC
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Mission Statement
Not Forgotten Outreach, Inc. is dedicated to motivating Military, Veterans & their Families and Gold Star families of fallen heroes to participate in recreational and/or therapeutic activities in order to facilitate the healing process and reintegration challenges. Providing opportunities to improve relationships, build camaraderie with other Military Families and Civilians; at the same time enhance “Mindfulness” personal well-being. Through Farming, Therapy Animals, Yoga, Skiing/Snowboarding, Creative Arts and Retreats at the Taos Military Family Respite Center, NFO Wellness Center and La Finca Militar.
About This Cause
The goal of all NFO programs is to help the Military Families’ Reintegration process by providing opportunities to improve relationships, build camaraderie with other Military Families and Civilians, and at the same time enhance “Mindfulness” personal well-being, through: Military Family Respite Center/Farm - when purchased in Feb15, was a foreclosed B&B sitting on two acres, with leaky roofs & frozen plumbing. Over 600 volunteers helped with remodeling; over $400,000.00 in-kind-donations on less than $60,000 of capital; with the assistance of the UNM Green Technology Program the building is now energy efficient, the 2nd story rooms are ADA accessible and there is now a large, accessible kitchen. The Respite Center is able to offer up to three families per week a 5-day respite. The Grand Opening of the Respite Center was held on 07July 2017. Taos Veterans Farmer Project – the mission of the program is to aid Military Families reintegrating into civilian life by growing produce, raising farm animals, and conducting seminars on holistic health and sustainability. Veteran’s sustainable farming bolsters local and regional economies, creating good jobs and building strong communities. This year NFO harvested over 10,000 heads of “Patriot Garlic” with the assistants of over 30 military families and started a ten beehive colony & beekeeping program. On September 7, 2017 the NM Department of Agriculture “Grown with Tradition” label and Veteran Farmers Coalition “HomeGrown by Heroes” label will officially be combined into one label, a task NFO worked on since 2013. Therapy Animals - NFO’s programs with farm animals; including llamas, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks and miniature horses, can be important supplements to a traditional psychiatric treatment in reaching the goals of self-esteem and coping ability. An intervention with farm animals will shift from care in an institutional regime to increased social integration and normalization of care. Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), with farm animals, suggests that the combined contact and work with the animals can positively affect the participants. NFO provides sources of contact & work with farm animals. Routines include feeding, milking, and caring for other living creatures & promotes increased coping ability and self-esteem. Wellness Center - Opened March 2017 provides the following to Military Families • Provides Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) services, including but not limited to: yoga, acupuncture, mindfulness/meditation classes, therapy dog training • Facilitating a Veterans recovery support group • Providing information on Veteran support services available locally, state-wide, and nationally • Provide space for the VA Mobile Vet Center for benefits and mental health counseling • Provide space for VA Caregiver Support Group meetings • Provide meeting space for different Veteran organizations of Taos • Provide space for VA contracted Mental Health counselor Annual Military History Display - The Town of Red River, again, generously donated indoor space to NFO during the Memorial Day Motorcycle Rally for a fantastic display of military uniforms and memorabilia dating from 1787-2014. This is an informational, fundraising booth and Military History Display, put on with the help of VFW Post 3259 of Taos. Annual Taos Veterans Creative Arts Festival - The Town of Taos continues its generous sponsorship by allowing NFO to host the festival free of charge. In return, NFO is able to provide Military Families a venue to show and sell their “therapy art” to the public, free of charge. Annual Taos Veterans Day Picnic – with the gracious support of the Town of Taos, the local VFW Post 3259, the VFW Post 3259 Auxiliary and the help of twenty-two (22) New Mexico AmeriCorps volunteers, NFO once again hosted an all-donated, pot-luck style picnic at the Guadalupe Gymnasium. Over 900 Military Families and Friends attended; they were treated to large amounts of donated food from twelve (12) local Taos grocery stores, restaurants and attendees. Annual Military Family Ski Events - Taos Ski Valley Resort proudly collaborates with NFO to host the ski events for Military Families at an affordable price, allowing for winter recreational therapy activities. An average price of $30 day-lift tickets, free rentals, discounted lessons and childcare. During the event Military Families enjoy 6 days of alpine skiing, two free dinners, yoga, VA intimacy classes, and self-defense classes, while at the same time being made to feel special and appreciated by the resort staff, NFO volunteers, and community members. Peer to Peer – NFO creates an atmosphere for Military Families to come together for the opportunity of peer-to-peer counseling. The military has created a culture in which service members take care of each other. Common experiences, particularly for those who have served in combat, bind individuals together. Shared experiences are the foundation for peer support, as they foster the initial trust and credibility necessary for developing relationships in which individuals are willing to open up and discuss their problems despite concerns about stigma. NFO hosts a Wednesday night dinner – In 2015, NFO initiated a new concept of inviting Military Families and volunteers to enjoy a get-together evening. Each week a different Veteran or volunteer cooks for 25- 35 individuals. Commodities for the dinner are provided by NFO.