VETERANS PROGRAMS
Veterans are dispersed throughout our communities and represent an unrealized workforce for good. But no veteran returns from war unchanged, and the combat experience can inhibit veterans from reaching their potential. Therefore, we create opportunities for veterans to utilize Leap Lab Farm as a retreat, art space, skill development, and job placement.
ARTS AND VETS
We don’t let veterans' stories die inside of them. Whether it’s a film, written prose, sculpture, or painting, we know that art releases trauma, and retells stories until they lose power. Art opens the door for opportunities in STEAM education and employment.
INTUITION PAINTING (Link)
We work with Intuition Painting to engage veterans in the arts.
Intuition Painting is about painting successive layers of paint on top of earlier paintings. The veteran paints one layer, then goes deeper and paints another layer, then another, with greater revelation and expression along the way.
HOW WILL THE CREATIVE EXPERIENCE BENEFIT VETERANS?
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Putting pen or paintbrush to paper with peers: Leap Lab Farm is staffed by veterans for veterans with ample opportunity to express ideas through multimedia.
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​Healing through storytelling: It has been repeatedly proven that the unburdening of personal stories told by veterans can be immeasurably therapeutic.
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Job training and professional development: The skills developed from making art in graphic design or carpentry can prove to employers what the vet can do.
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Peer-to-peer counseling: The risk of veterans' stories dying with them is markedly high, especially as their suicide rate is nearly double that of civilians in the US. Homelessness among veterans has risen during the pandemic, with 8-11% of the homeless population being veterans. Our mission is to share their stories, raise awareness, and drive resources to address these pressing issues.