Nonprofit Therapy Farm awarded $7500 for Tractor from Work Vessels for Vets Disabled USAF Vet completed UCONN EBV Program to help fellow vets in OH
MIAMISBURG, OHIO. Stretching the reach of their programs to Ohio, Work Vessels for Vets of Mystic, CT recently awarded funds for a tractor to USAF CMSGT (ret) Rachel Czmyr for her ECOthrive Farms nonprofit. Rachel is a 100% disabled veteran and recent graduate of the University of Connecticut Entrepreneurial Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) program that teaches business skills to veterans starting new enterprises. Her new ECOthrive Farms is a community outreach nonprofit offering unique, customized group programs for veterans and others with disabilities in Miamisburg, Ohio.
“Our goal is to educate, inspire, and empower individuals by providing an organized, safe, and calming environment that promotes personal growth, self-confidence, and creativity through caring for animals, harvesting honey, gardening, and creating handcrafted items for our community by our community,” says Chief Master Sergeant Czmyr, founder. “We provide community outreach with a special emphasis on supporting disabled veterans, children with special needs, Fisher House/nursing home patients, and victims of domestic abuse.”
CMSGT Czmyr turned to Work Vessels for Vets of Mystic, Connecticut at the recommendation of Connecticut director of the UCONN EBV Program, LtCol Michael Zacchea. Work Vessels for Vets is a national non-profit organization whose volunteers are dedicated to giving a “hand up” to injured veterans who are starting their own businesses. The $7500 Work Vessels for Vets award enabled ECOthrive Farms to complete the purchase of a Kioti tractor that has already been put to use developing the programs of the Ohio nonprofit.
“We are pleased to expand much needed services to support recovery for disabled veterans, children with special needs, nursing home patients, and victims of domestic violence in the Dayton, Ohio region which includes Wright Patterson Air Force Base, the Fisher Home, and other facilities for people in need,” notes Cathy Cook, Executive Director of Work Vessels for Vets. “Our partnership with UCONN EBV program offers confidence that new veteran-owned businesses such as Rachel’s will have the tools for success.”
Work Vessels for Vets, Inc. outfits America’s injured veterans with the equipment they need to start a business. Since 2008, the volunteers at Work Vessels for Vets, Inc. have offered a “hand up” to more than 2000 disabled veterans in all 50 states and provided equipment valued well over $3 million. Learn more at www.WVFV.org
