Mil-Tree Veteran Project

Mil-Tree’s mission is to create community between veterans, service members, and civilians through shared experiences, collaborative projects, artistic expression and creative entrepreneurship. We recognize the loss incurred by veterans when they leave close-knit military units without a clear path into their communities or meaningful employment, which often leads to anxiety, stress, and isolation. For veterans, meaningful connections to community—as well as opportunities to explore creative career pathways—can transform service-related distress while easing the transition into civilian life.

Mil-Tree offers a variety of creative and impactful programs, events, and retreats with the goal of ending veteran isolation. Some of our past offerings have included songwriting, theater, movement, creative writing, art, photography, birdwatching, gardening, hiking, rock climbing, and building projects. We also provide dialogue circles and retreats to help support the ongoing transition from military service into civilian life and are currently expanding to offer skill-based training workshops to support entry into creative career pathways. Our programs have a strong track record of positive impact on participants. Those who arrive feeling alone or isolated find a fun, welcoming, and creative environment where collaboration and expression naturally lead to new friendships. We have found that arts and dialogue are the best way to bridge different parts of community, building on trust and the things we have in common. Our programs often lead to personal transformation, growth, and new opportunities; the synergy created between our participants is both palpable and profound.