Her Story
About Cara
I've been doing art and crafts all my life, but I officially started my nonprofit work in 2016 after watching my oldest son return from overseas and struggle with PTSD. Seeing how therapeutic activities like sewing a Christmas stocking or painting helped him heal inspired me to create Hearts for Healing. We literally started with one person for a half day, and most people would have given up, but we kept going. Over the past 10 years, we've served over 8,000 service members, veterans, families, and caregivers. We offer women veterans retreats for 25 people that include horse therapy, art therapy, and aromatherapy - it's like pampering them. We also do caregiver retreats, sometimes virtually so they don't have to leave their loved ones. I work with the VA whole health teaching classes, at Vet Centers, and with military kids through a pen pal program with our university that I started about 5 years ago. In my full-time job, I've been working for 5 years with transitioning veterans and service members in the Guard and Reserve. I teach classes at 5 or 6 places a month, and I work with our Adjutant General on art and writing projects. My husband has served for 35 years, my oldest son did his time and is now on my board, and my youngest just got back from tech school in October. We're a military family through and through, and this work is my passion.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cara
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to just not stopping. We started with one person for a half day, and most people would have been like, that's that, I'm done. But no, we just kept going even when we had such low numbers for a couple years. Most people would have gave up, but we didn't stop, and look where we're at right now - over 8,000 service members, veterans, families, and caregivers served. This is my passion, it's giving back. I'm married to the military, and even though I've never been in myself, I understand it as a mom and a military spouse. My family is all in this with me - my husband has served 35 years, my oldest son is on my board after his own struggles with PTSD inspired this whole thing, and my youngest just got back from tech school. Keeping this nonprofit going for 10 years, that's what I'm most proud of.
02What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me are giving back and making sure people have time for themselves with less stress. It's all about helping them calm down and relax. For caregivers especially, they're not always taking care of somebody else - they need downtime too. I also believe strongly in filling your cup first and taking time to reset. That's why July and December are months I don't do as much - I just need to reset sometimes. I'm a lifelong learner, always trying to take certifications to make myself better and learn new things. And I don't push anybody away - we welcome everyone. I also believe in promoting other people's programs and organizations, even when I don't have time to formally join them myself. Having the right people in your corner is so important.
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