University of Phoenix supports Willing Warriors’ delivering life-changing retreats for military service members
By Sharla Hooper
University alumni and leaders participate in the annual gala and other supporting events
University of Phoenix is proud to support nonprofit Willing Warriors, a charitable organization now operating a Grand Lodge Warrior Retreat in Haymarket, VA, and its original Warrior Retreat at Bull Run, providing cost-free retreat stays and programs that positively impact wounded, ill, and injured service members, disabled veterans, and their families. In each of the past three years, the University of Phoenix has financially supported Willing Warriors’ projects and programs, sponsoring two warrior family stays at the Retreat, participating in the annual Willing Warriors Gala, as well as volunteer service and support through the University’s local alumni chapter representatives.
“Willing Warriors provides safe, healing space for service members,” states Chris Lynne, president of University of Phoenix. “As part of our commitment to honor the service and healing of these individuals and their families, we support this important program.”
Willing Warriors opened the original Warrior Retreat at Bull Run on July 4, 2015, as a volunteer and community-supported nonprofit organization providing non-medical programs that positively affect the well-being and lives of military service members who are wounded, ill, or injured from service-related harms. The Warrior Retreat offers a five-night respite stay during which warriors and their families can temporarily escape hospital settings and day-to-day demands to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with each other. Willing Warriors expanded in 2023 with a new six-bedroom Grand Lodge and multi-purpose activity space hosting expanded Warrior group programs for post-traumatic stress counseling, job training, entrepreneurial training, and technology training.
To date, Willing Warriors has provided over 2,400 Warriors and family members with life-changing respite stays and has hosted over 725 Warriors dealing with severe post-traumatic stress for week-long intensive counseling stays. Their next Annual Gala will be held November 2, 2024.
Larry Massey, president and CEO of Kinaras Solutions, Inc., attended the previous annual gala and recently fulfilled his auction prize of a round of golf. “I am proud to support Willing Warriors and give back to the military community,” he shares. “As a veteran, I know how the service experience can impact us and how important this support can be for personal and family healing and growth.”
Willing Warriors co-founder and Board of Directors President Shirley Dominick, retired from the Air Force, is a University of Phoenix doctoral alumni and member of the University of Phoenix District – Maryland – Virginia (DMV) Alumni Chapter, whose members are active with the non-profit and its mission. DMV Alumni Chapter President and U.S. Army veteran Barbara Smith is also a Willing Warriors Ambassador and core volunteer.
“Our work is possible through the contributions of many, including University of Phoenix,” states Dominick. “When our communities and individuals, including veterans like Larry Massey support these efforts, our warriors and their families benefit.”
University of Phoenix supports Willing Warriors and other nonprofit efforts through its corporate social responsibility commitment.
University of Phoenix serves the educational goals of veterans and military students, with specially trained staff to assist service members, veterans, and military spouses and dependents. In addition to providing career-relevant education and flexibility that fits military student and working adult schedules, the military experience and training of student veterans and military students can be assessed for potential college credit.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu/blog.html.
