HG starts Family Programming
October 4, 2019
Emilie’s Perspective on HG Summer Camp
October 15, 2019
HGLA & U.S. Vets Collaborate
HGLA Veteran Day Programs
The Higher Ground Los Angeles Chapter wrapped up it’s Day Programs with U.S. Vets for the year, with some good results.
In September 2019, Higher Ground Los Angeles teamed up with US Vets (Long Beach and Inglewood) to bring higher needs transitioning veterans out of their dry daily routine and into a day filled with physical activity, mental stimulation, and human interaction. We served a total of 12 participants; 5 from Long Beach for billiards and 7 from Inglewood for bowling.
The participants enjoyed a day away from their gloomy routine on campus to venture out and bowl with other participants while interacting with the world around them safely. Many of the participants expressed increased happiness and joy and were very grateful for the opportunity to participate.
Peter, a veteran who normally relies on his walking chair to get around, was stabilizing himself on the pool table executing trick shots to defeat our Engagement Specialist staff. He later wrote that “it was a great distraction from pain, great to be able to get out and relax.” Tim, a higher needs vet, told the group that one of the other participants is one of the best men he’s ever met. A lot of kind words and smiles were shared.
Glen, having had a lot of trouble recently with psychotherapy, said “When I heard about this pool day I thought ‘well I should really get myself out of here, out of my mind, do my own therapy.’ Who knows, when you meet another vet who shoots pool you might go shoot pool with that guy again and again and that could be something.”
Additional participant quotes:
“This was a great way to relax and be positive. More of this would be great.”
-Jack Bayze, USMC
“This is a positive distraction, a way to exercise, socialize, and make friends.”
-Terry Burton, USMC
