VA Whole Health Resilience and Wellness Center

Help us advance evidence-based integrative health programs that build resilience, increase wellness, and reduce suicide risk among Veterans.

Support Our Veterans

The mission of the Whole Health program is to empower Veterans to take charge of their health and engage in activities that promote resilience and overall wellness. The Resilience and Wellness Center (RWC), established in October 2018, serves as the flagship program under the auspices of the Bronx VA Whole Health program. The RWC is an outpatient program that offers a variety of Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) behavioral interventions and educational programming aimed at promoting overall wellness and reducing suicide risk.

The RWC operates on a innovative cohort model, wherein Veterans participate in four weeks of intensive and immersive programming. This includes meditation and mindfulness, horticultural therapy, physical exercise, nutrition, and motivational curriculum. Inclusion in the RWC program is transdiagnostic and open to all Veterans receiving care across all services. Participants are typically referred by clinicians, with a focus on at-risk vulnerable veterans who are isolated and experiencing ongoing environmental stressors and who are interested in learning new coping strategies to make significant lifestyle changes.

Why We Need Your Help

Suicide prevention is a high priority within the VA, given the elevated rates of suicide among Veterans. The RWC's CIH interventions target key risk factors of suicide, providing an alternative to traditional mental health treatments. These interventions are often more acceptable to Veterans who avoid mental health services due to perceived stigma or other barriers. Importantly, the RWC serves as a crucial conduit for transitioning Veterans into mental health services.

Your generous donation will directly support these vital programs, enabling us to continue offering life-changing services to our Veterans. By donating, you help us provide Veterans with the tools and support they need to lead healthier, more resilient lives.

Ways to Give

Make an Immediate Impact Through a One-Time Donation

Your one-time donation can make an immediate impact on the lives of Veterans participating in VA Whole Health programs. Whether it's funding a single session of mindfulness, providing materials for a healthy nutrition class, or supporting a Veteran through our comprehensive four-week RWC program, your generous gift helps empower Veterans to take charge of their health and well-being. Every donation counts and directly contributes to the resilience and wellness of our Veterans.

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Maximize Your Support By Becoming a Monthly Donor

By becoming a monthly supporter, you provide consistent and reliable funding that allows us to plan and sustain our programs year-round. Your ongoing contributions ensure that Veterans continue to receive essential services such as pain management, wellness coaching, horticultural therapy, and physical activity classes. Monthly support helps us reach more Veterans and provide the continuous care and resources they need to thrive. Join us in making a lasting difference in the lives of our Veterans.

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Lead the Way as a Veterans' Wellness Champion

Lead the way in supporting Veterans' wellness by making a significant donation of at least $1,000. As a Wellness Champion, your contribution can underwrite comprehensive programming for at-risk Veterans, and sponsor entire groups in the Whole Health Resilience and Wellness Center programs for extended periods. Your leadership and generosity at this level ensure that we can provide the highest level of care and support and make a profound impact on the health and well-being of our Veterans.

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Impact of the Whole Health Resilience
and Wellness Center at the Bronx VA

Since its inception in 2018, over 389 Veterans have participated in monthly Resilience and Wellness Center programming in the Bronx VA.

The RWC remains committed to upholding the VA’s mandate for measurement-based care in serving our Veterans. This commitment is integrated into the RWC programming, which involves conducting assessments of health factors to evaluate program outcomes and impact. These assessments include the Whole Health Personal Health Inventory, measures of depression and PTSD, perceived stress, social isolation, pain, and others. Ongoing program evaluations have demonstrated improvements across these symptoms, with findings reported in scholarly articles.

Bronx VA Whole Health Programs Your Gift Supports

THRIVE

Therapeutic Horticulture for Rehabilitative Intervention for Veteran Engagement (THRIVE) is a program in which Veterans participate in four sessions of structured horticultural therapy at the New York Botanical Gardens, fostering healing connections with nature and promoting mental well-being.
GROW

Garden for Resilience and Optimal Wellness (GROW) is a drop-in program at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center that offers Veterans and staff opportunities to cultivate resilience and wellness through hands-on gardening activities, fostering a sense of community and purpose.
Mindfulness Classes

Veterans learn mindfulness practices both online and in-person, developing skills to manage stress, improve focus, and cultivate greater emotional resilience in daily life.
Physical Activity Classes

From Tai Chi sessions at the Yonkers Clinic to Chair Yoga, these classes provide Veterans with gentle yet effective physical activities tailored to improve mobility, balance, and overall physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Healthy Nutrition Classes

These classes educate Veterans on the benefits of whole health and anti-inflammatory dietary regimens, empowering them to make healthier food choices and optimize their nutritional intake for improved health outcomes.
Pain Management & Wellness Coaching

Veterans receive personalized coaching and support to address chronic pain, incorporating holistic approaches to enhance overall wellness and quality of life.
Sleep Hygiene Classes

Participants learn evidence-based techniques to improve sleep quality and establish healthy sleep habits, enhancing overall energy levels and cognitive function.
Female Veterans’ Whole Health & Wellness Group

This group provides a safe and supportive space for female Veterans to address their unique health needs, fostering connection, empowerment, and holistic well-being.
Taking Charge of My Life and Health

Through interactive sessions, Veterans gain practical tools and resources to actively manage their physical and mental health, empowering them to make informed decisions and positive lifestyle changes.
Mindfulness Photography Classes

Veterans explore mindfulness through the lens of photography, capturing moments of beauty and practicing presence and gratitude in their daily lives.
African Drumming & Conga Lessons

Veterans engage in therapeutic rhythm and self-expression through African drumming and conga lessons, promoting relaxation, stress relief, and emotional well-being.
YMCA Fitness Classes

Veterans have access to a variety of fitness classes at the YMCA, tailored to different fitness levels and preferences, promoting physical activity and social engagement.