Statements
Mission
Uniting and Empowering Veterans through Camaraderie and Adventure.
Background
Waypoint Vets is a veteran volunteer run organization with clear intent and humble beginnings.
The Voices of our Alumni:
https://youtu.be/9jymvbr9DnQ
The Waypoint Vets Story:
https://youtu.be/rw6I-MCjFio
Impact
Waypoint Vets is a veteran-run 501(c)(3) charitable organization composed of volunteers with a passion to serve. Waypoint Vets is actively combatting post traumatic stress, military sexual trauma, and suicidal ideation on a national scale. We combine mental and physical intensity with the stillness and beauty of nature to deliver lasting healing and clarity to honorably discharged military veterans at no cost to them. The heartbeat of our mission and message is to Honor our Fallen by Living, by promoting unity throughout our community, and by taking back our health and happiness - together.
"It gets really intense on our trips - summiting mountains, rappelling down 200' feet of canyon, or rafting raging rivers. Our veterans get to rediscovering parts of themselves that they thought were lost. We beast and bond out there, tapping back into all the things the military required. It's liberating to realize that the Foundation we all shared still exists, that it's still accessible and INSTANT. As our veterans tap back into their light, we introduce them to and help them build the tools that will enable them to better navigate times of darkness. We emphasize that it's ok to make yourself the mission, and that we are allowed to be proud of the part we played while serving.
We're losing passionate veterans that think big and feel big; searching for normalcy in a society that feels so divided in a world that feels so hopeless. We're losing veterans with a vast capacity to listen and empathize yet never feel heard or understood themselves. We are losing veterans that have grown fatigued from filling the days or the decades. Whose physical pain is stealing their joy. Whose anxiety and depression are preventing paths to purpose. We are losing the BEST PEOPLE. Often those we least expect. You never know when someone has decided that it's going to be their last day here. Inside everyone you know is someone you've never met, and just because someone carries it well doesn't mean it isn't heavy.
People have died on our behalf and it feels like a debt we can never repay. But we honor them by coming together, by having these hard conversations, and by staying united as a community. We honor them with our contributions to this world, and by choosing life and to live FULLY, on THEIR behalf. We have an obligation to our fallen and each other to keep fighting the war inside. We at Waypoint Vets have fully committed ourselves to serving veterans from every branch, era, and walk of life. We feel honored to be part of the solution to the problems plaguing our Brothers and Sisters. Please help us help vets." Warmly, SGT Sarah Lee, Founder / Executive Director
Needs
Waypoint Vets covers all the costs and provides all necessary gear for their veteran participants. We are a team of volunteers - no salaries are taken, and our organization runs operates the generous contributions of our donors and sponsors. Waypoint Vets offers epic adventures and retreats throughout America, we offer two international expeditions, and also host local nature-based activities in Nashville, TN and the surrounding area. Our most pressing needs are funding for our veteran adventures, support in offsetting flight and lodging costs, and volunteers for our local trips, events, and fundraising endeavors. If you would like to sponsor a veteran, or help fund or co-sponsor one of our trips, please reach out to our Founder, Sarah Lee: Sarah@WaypointVets.org or by phone: 615-669-6155.
CEO Statement
Sarah Lee is an Army OIF Combat Veteran and deployed to Iraq with the 216th Combat Engineers under the 1st Infantry Division from Feb '04 - Feb '05. She joined at age 17, served for 8 years, and was honorably discharged as an E5 / SGT in 2009. In 2018, Sarah completed a 4,010 mile unassisted cycling journey of healing across America. During A Vicious Cycle, she experienced first hand the healing that happens and clarity that comes while detaching and being active in nature. Sarah is excited and honored to facilitate these unique opportunities for other Veterans to beast, bond, and heal, and at no cost to them.
"I want my fellow Veterans to understand that they are deserving and capable of great things. We have an obligation to our Fallen and each other to keep fighting the war inside. I believe those best equipped to help us ARE us. I am adamant about making a real difference for my fellow Veterans and leaving a lasting positive impact on our community." ~SGT Sarah Lee, Founder
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Public & Societal Benefit - Military/Veterans' Organizations |
| Secondary Category: | - |
| Tertiary Category: | - |
Areas Served
Waypoint Vets is based in Nashville, TN and serves Veterans on a national and local level. Our adventures take place throughout America, and we unite veterans from all over the United States. We also offer local activities and trips, and congregate groups of veterans on a local level to engage in our adventures.
| Local |
| National |
