Since 1997, Joni and Friends Texas has served more than 6,500 families, veterans, caregivers, and children living with disability. Through Texas Warrior Getaway, we offer hope and healing to military veterans and their families who live with the visible and invisible wounds of war. Your gift will provide scholarships for injured soldiers and their families to experience this life-giving opportunity free-of-charge.
In Texas, over 1.4 million adults, or nearly one in four, are military veterans living with cognitive and physical disabilities. Statistics reveal that depression and suicide rates are higher among people who have served in the military. Every day 21 warriors end their pain by ending their own lives; and 80% of military marriages end in divorce.
Texas Warrior Getaway is a place to begin the healing journey from Post Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Moral Injuries, and other wounds of war. The event serves the warrior deployed to an active combat zone and his/her family, including spouse, children, or parents living in the same household.
Texas Warrior Getaway supports veterans, preserves marriages, and strengthens families impacted by disability by offering:
- A safe environment for combat veterans and their immediate families on their healing journeys from the wounds of war.
- A loving and authentic temporary community that promotes acceptance and a non-judgmental environment.
- Tools that help promote healing from physical, spiritual, and moral injuries caused by combat trauma.
- Meaningful, fully adaptive, and traditional camp activities for children.
- Much-needed calm and rest from very chaotic lives.
- A Christ-focused and Christ-centered environment where healing can begin.
Our desire is to strengthen and encourage families who live with disabilities as they grapple with, and struggle through, the challenges of daily life. Embracing them with the love of Christ and pointing them to an inclusive, disability-friendly church and community are at the heart of Joni and Friends Texas.
Joni and Friends was founded in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada, best-selling author and teacher, and one of the world’s leading international advocates for people living with disability. A diving accident in 1967 left Joni, then 17, quadriplegic and in a wheelchair. After two years of rehabilitation, she emerged with a fresh determination to help others in similar situations. With a team of dedicated collaborators, Joni established Joni and Friends to provide compassion, loving care, and dignity that lead to abundant life for individuals and families living with disability. Through 24 offices across the United States, Joni and Friends improves the lives of Special Needs Families through programs that help meet their physical, social, and spiritual needs.
Our Needs
This year’s Texas Warrior Getaway will be held November 1 – 5, 2023 at Camp Allen in Navasota, Texas. Your gift will enable Joni and Friend Texas to cover the increased costs of the event due to the economy and:
- Increase the number of families attending Texas Warrior Getaway from 19 to 25.
- Increase the number of Short-Term Missionary volunteers from 30 to 45.
JAF TX believes the hope and healing provided to these veteran families is essential and often a matter of life and death for the warrior considering suicide. This is why we are committed to providing 100% scholarships to all veterans and their families.