It was September 2020 when it became clear to Jeff Marriott that he wanted to build a veteran retreat, and now it’s full steam ahead.
The idea of Vets’ Retreat Virginia is to establish and operate a 24-hour health, wellness, education, and social/activity center for military and veterans, first responders, and their families.
More specifically, the retreat will focus on helping with mental health and depression, suicide prevention, substance abuse, and providing peer support.
“The main reason I started everything was to save lives,” he said. “I wanted to do this because I don’t know of anything else like this.”
Marriott, who served in the National Guard for 21 years, said other places that do this type of work have too many restrictions and limitations on who can participate and only have resources for the military and not their family.
“Some places are booked up so far out or don’t let you be a part of it more than once,” he said. “This retreat will allow people to come as many times they want, and be away from the city and help them relax and get their minds off their problems.”
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Marriott said by having somewhere safe to go to de-stress, it can reverse the challenge of suicide, substance abuse, and depression. His plan is to have the retreat free to all.
“We welcome and serve heroes of all branches, components, ranks, duty statuses; federal, state, or local levels,” he said. “We do not discriminate based on time, length, or location of service; wounded in action or injury on duty status, nor disability rating.”
Marriott said the total offerings of what he will have could make people reconsider suicide and can instead give them a way to connect with fellow people that also served their country in one way or another.
“They can come to the retreat and build bonds, not only with other service members but also with their family,” he said.
Along with building a connection with others, the retreat will give veterans and first responders the opportunity to find volunteer work.
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“That’s a common challenge with that community,” he said. “They miss having a mission when they get done with their service and in turn feel disconnected to the rest of the world.”
In order to participate in the retreat, Marriott said a software company called ID.me will be used to verify one's military service and then the retreat will give the participant either a membership card or wristband to show they currently serve or have served before.
Marriott said he is looking into either building or buying the dedicated facility in the northern Virginia area, specifically in Loudon County, Warren County, or Fauquier County.
Although he said it’s too early to know when the retreat will open, he is actively looking for donors, grants, and sponsors and hopes to raise up to $10 million to get the retreat running.
“This process could be either slow or quick to open the retreat,” he said. “It all depends on how much support we receive.”
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To donate to the retreat, click here.