FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RIXEYVILLE, VA. – Verdun Adventure Bound, Inc. (Verdun) is pleased to announce the generous funding from BWell Today For Tomorrow of $10,000 for its Muddy Tracks Programs. This grant will support the joint partnership between Verdun and the Department of Juvenile Justice At-Risk and Truancy Youth, and Fauquier County Public Schools, and the SOAR Project Programs. BWell Today For Tomorrow, a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded last year by friends and family to honor the memories of brother and sister Jacob Mark Blackwell and Andrea Saenz. The mission of BWell Today For Tomorrow is to prevent at risk lifestyles in adolescents, support mental health advocacy, and support programs delivering positive elements of wellness to the everyday lives of families. They work to provide grants and ancillary funding to other organizations who share this mission.
Verdun’s Muddy Tracks program provides an outdoor educational experience that enhances the participants’ ability to become a balanced, ethical and responsible member of the community. The Muddy Tracks program includes off-campus hiking and backpacking, rock climbing, camping and kayaking. These activities are meant to be physical and therapeutic in nature, resulting in an impactful bonding experience between mentors and mentees and the participants on each journey. Muddy Tracksis designed to grant those without the means or the knowledge, the opportunity to experience the incredible outdoor resources the area has to offer. Muddy Track participants have an opportunity to demonstrate and recognize their ability to overcome challenges and learn a healthier outdoor lifestyle.
The Muddy Tracks adventures require equipment such as kayaks, oars, ropes, backpacks, first aid supplies, with overnight experiences including sleeping bags and tents along with cooking utensils. The BWell Today For Tomorrow grant will provide financial assistance to the Muddy Tracks Programs serving its At-Risk, Truancy Students and SOAR participants, while also enabling Verdun to purchase proper equipment to maximize off-campus outdoor experiences.
The Verdun Adventure Bound and the BWell Today For Tomorrow relationship is a very special one. “From the moment we met Linda and Dick Blackwell, all of us felt a specialness, especially as we listened to the stories of Andrea and Jacob; Andrea following her passion in healthcare and Jacob being such an active outdoorsman,” says Honore Hastings, Verdun’s Executive Director. Verdun’s Challenge Course Manager, Sean McElhinney is thrilled with knowing all necessary equipment for our participants will be a constant reminder of the gifts from Jacob and Andrea. “This gift is providing more than just equipment; a great amount of healing takes place around a campfire. Giving us an opportunity to provide a Muddy Tracks opportunity like this to our clients, many who may never have had this kind of opportunity, is what Verdun is all about,” says Sean. Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell noted, “the partnership between Verdun’s Muddy Tracks and Bwell Today For Tomorrow is one we know would be blessed by Andrea and Jacob. They were both lovers of the outdoors and they would have loved being at Verdun, leading others to heal and grow as they make their own Muddy Tracks.”
In the fall, Verdun will begin its SOAR project (Success in Overcoming Adversity in Recovery) which is an 8-week, adult collaborative effort designed to provide a supportive community service for the tri-county citizens struggling with opiate addiction.
The Department of Juvenile Justice, 20W Court Services Unit, collaborated with Verdun to offer new programming for youth in Fauquier and Rappahannock County focusing on truancy and at-risk youth. The At-Risk and Truancy Youth Programs focus on positive relationship skills, core values, and impactful philosophy using the experiential learning model. The rolling admission programs incorporate four main subjects: Core Values and Social/Emotional Learning; Communication/Conflict Resolution; Resiliency; and Trust. Combining these four areas of learning will work to comprehensively improve the relationship skills of each participant with a trickle-down effect to their family, peer, and systemic relations. Kierra Baltimore, Probation Officer, stated that she has “seen an improvement in her clients’ attendance.” She stated that Verdun is showing youth that if they put their mind to it and are determined to finish, anything can be accomplished.
The Truancy Program, working in collaboration with the support of Fauquier County Public Schools Student Services, is currently active and running; the At-Risk program, also supporting students in Fauquier County Public Schools, is scheduled to begin in September. Carolyn Lamm, Supervisor for Student Support in Fauquier County Public Schools, stated, “When traditional supports do not connect with our students, these experiential learning opportunities engage students as they develop resiliency. Students gain confidence as they practice effective communication, cooperation, and problem-solving in real-life situations. These skills are vitally important not only in the classroom, but also for future success in both jobs and relationships.”
The SOAR Project will begin in the fall as well with funding by Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, Come As You Are coalition, and BWell Today For Tomorrow. For any questions please contact Honore Hastings or Sean McElhinney at Verdun Adventure Bound. To learn more about BWell Today For Tomorrow and to understand who Andrea and Jacob were, please visit organization’s website at https://bwelltoday.org/.
Verdun Adventure Bound Inc.
Culpeper, Fauquier and Rappahannock County
Contact Honore D. Hastings – 540.937.4920 admin@verdunadventurebound.org
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