The Gary Sinise Foundation recently launched the national Avalon Network, a cognitive health and mental wellness network providing transformative care to veterans and first responders experiencing post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, or addiction disorder. The Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network builds on the work of the Marcus Institute for Brain Health and the Boulder Crest Foundation’s Warrior PATHH program. It intends to establish 20 treatment sites nationwide to serve veterans, first responders, and their families.
Funding of $40 million for the Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network was provided by co-founders of The Home Depot retail chain, Bernie Marcus and Arthur M. Blank. Both are personally motivated to improve and expand upon the care provided to veterans and first responders, and the Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network marks the first time that Bernie Marcus and Arthur M. Blank have partnered together since co-founding The Home Depot.
The Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network will expand on the Marcus Institute for Brain Health’s and Boulder Crest Foundation’s expertise and successes to create a nationwide, integrative traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress treatment and training network. By leveraging the science of post-traumatic growth — a framework that explains the positive transformation that can occur following trauma — the Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network will empower veterans and first responders to cope with, and overcome trauma. Partners included in the Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network include, for post-traumatic stress care: GratitudeAmerica, Camp Southern Ground, The Travis Mills Foundation, The Big Red Barn Retreat, the Permission To Start Dreaming Foundation, and Sheep Dog Impact Assistance. The current partners for traumatic brain injury care include: the Tulane University Center for Brain Health, the SHARE Military Initiative at Shepherd Center, Jefferson Veterans’ Brain Health and Wellness Initiative, and the University of Florida Health Brain Wellness Program.
The Gary Sinise Foundation was established under the philanthropic direction of actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise, who has been an advocate of our nation’s defenders for 40 years. The Foundation’s mission is to serve by honoring defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. Its programs—designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities—serve America’s heroes and their loved ones 365 days a year.
This was reported by The Gary Sinise Foundation on February 16, 2021.
Contact information: Marielle Gilbert, Public Relations & Communications Manager, Gary Sinise Foundation, P.O. Box 368, Woodland Hills, CA 91365; 818-444-8862; Email: mgilbert@garysinisefoundation.org; Website: https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/avalon-network-story/
