The name Warrior in the Garden reflects a profound transformation: “It’s better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.” Our Founder, a US Navy veteran, knows that journey intimately-living with PTSD, personal betrayal, and the grip of alcoholism. Through resilience and faith, he overcame alcoholism and reclaimed his life, choosing not just to survive, but to serve. The Warrior symbolizes strength and readiness; the garden, peace and renewal. Together, the represent the path from trauma to purpose. At Warrior in the Garden Foundation, we believe true strength lies in the courage to kneel, plant roots, and nurture life. Warrior in the Garden Foundation provides transitional housing, addiction recovery, suicide prevention and awareness, financial literacy, and legal advocacy-empowering veterans to rebuild from the inside out and cultivate futures worth living.
Our Mission
Warrior in the Garden Foundation is a peer-led nonprofit rooted in resilience, recovery, and rebirth. We empower justice-involved and unhoused veterans to heal and rebuild through transitional housing, addiction recovery, legal advocacy, vocational training, and holistic support. Guided by lived experience and trauma-informed care, we transform pain into purpose—restoring dignity, stability, and hope one warrior at a time.
Our Services
Transitional Housing
•This model aims to restore dignity, rebuild trust, and support veterans and their families in moving beyond mere survival toward long-term stability. It delivers more than just housing — it creates a nurturing environment where veterans can recover and flourish.
Benefits Navigation
•• Assistance with applications for VA benefits, SSI/SSDI, and housing vouchers
•• Guidance on how benefits impact income, taxes, and financial planning
•• Representation to ensure equitable access and support with appeals when necessary
•• Coordination with legal advocacy and housing assistance services
Addiction Recovery
•• Peer-led: Individuals in long-term recovery provide guidance based on shared experiences rather than clinical distance
•• Trauma-informed: All interactions are rooted in an awareness of trauma’s effects on addiction
•• Holistic: Recovery encompasses more than sobriety—it involves restoring identity, relationships, and purpose
•• Non-punitive: We oppose shame-focused approaches and promote accountability founded on compassion
Financial Literacy
This program goes beyond financial considerations — it focuses on reclaiming autonomy, restoring dignity, and shaping a future that inspires confidence. Veterans depart equipped not only with knowledge but also with a concrete plan, a network of support, and a revitalized outlook on their potential
Spouse and Family Support:
We recognize that healing is a shared journey. Warrior in the Garden Foundation offers peer-led resources and community support for spouses, partners, and families—helping loved ones navigate trauma, rebuild trust, and grow together through every season of recovery.
Employment Readiness & Income Stability
•• Assistance with resume development, interview preparation, and job search strategies
•• Guidance on managing workplace budgeting, taxes, and employee benefits
•• Connections to vocational training and apprenticeship opportunities
•• Support for pursuing self-employment, side projects, and entrepreneurial ventures
Vocational Re-education and Reintegration:
We equip veterans with hands-on training, certification pathways, and peer-led mentorship to rebuild careers and reclaim purpose. From carpentry to IT, every skill learned becomes a stepping stone toward sustainable employment, community reintegration, and renewed self-worth.
Suicide Prevention
•This program focuses not only on preventing death but also on revitalizing life. Every veteran deserves acknowledgment, support, and compassion during their most challenging times. Warrior in the Garden provides that supportive hand, empathetic voice, and a safe space to start anew.
At Warrior in the Garden Foundation, we believe that lasting change begins at the root. By addressing the underlying causes of housing struggles, suicidal behavior, and addiction—rather than just the symptoms—we empower veterans and their families to reclaim stability, dignity, and hope. Every warrior deserves the chance to heal, rebuild, and thrive. Our programs are designed to make that future possible.