Theresa Reer was still recovering from injuries sustained during Operation Enduring Freedom when she heard about Operation Second Chance’s Women Veterans Healing Arts Program series.
The retired U.S. Army Captain noticed the impact art had on people as she rolled her wheelchair past the windows of local art shops so decided to give it a try.
“One thing that really helped me and why I’m so passionate about this program is I was introduced to the arts,” said Reer, who added she’d never before taken a formal arts class. “Art was very instrumental in helping me recover. I had difficulty speaking at the time [due to my injuries] and art was the voice I didn’t have.”
The Women Veterans Healing Arts Program series — which is open to all women veterans — will kick off its second season with three art classes: June 2 in Solomons (mixed-media collage), June 29 (wood craft) and July 25 (batik tee shirt), both in Leonardtown.
“It was around my military sisters so it was the absolute best, it really was,” said Tiffany Burley of Lexington Park, who had a 20-year career with the United States Marine Corps and did two tours in the Iraq War. “It was also therapeutic.”
Burley said it’s “not often that women alone have a group and it’s for everyone so instead of it being just a Marine group or Navy group or Army group, it’s for all of the women” and added she’d “highly recommend” fellow women veterans take part.
In addition, a fall series will kick off late this summer.
“It’s stress relief, it’s building their confidence, it’s empowering them,” said Reer, who added that as a result of the classes many women have registered at VA for medical services, sought out mental health resources and have built connections with other women while sharing stories. “It’s a way to help them disconnect from the grind of medical appointments and to bring them together with other women veterans.”
Participating artists include Eric Jackson of Bay Fibers Studio, Sabrina and Pete Rohrer of Board & Brush Creative Studio, and Winifred Thompson of Hand Craft Studio.
“It was an honor to be able to host the women from this group, and to hear them share both their stories and their connections to one another was a unique experience for me as well,” said Jackson, who has taught art classes for the program and will teach another July 25. “The common bond of service which they share was so immediately evident, and you could hear the tangible support they had for one another.”
The program is funded through a grant by the St. Mary's Art Council and the Maryland State Art Council.
“I just encourage those ladies that may be on the fence [and thinking], ‘I don’t know. I’m not artistic,’” said Reer, who lives in California. “It’s amazing the responses we get when women first arrive. They’re hesitant [at first], but by the end they come up and are like, ‘Wow, thank you. I really enjoyed this’ and they come back for more and more [classes]. I’ve seen transformations of women who are self-isolating. A lady pulled me aside and said, ‘You know Theresa, I haven’t left my house on a regular basis since starting this group.’”
Operation Second Chance was founded in 2004 by Cindy McGrew after visits with Reer and other wounded soldiers to meet the growing needs of post-9/11 wounded, injured, and ill service members and their families. Since its inception, the organization has expanded to include Morale Groups such as Women Veterans of Southern Maryland.
“Women veterans coming out of the military have more difficulties with transitioning,” Reer said, and added the program allows women to connect with other women veterans and thrive.
Registration is required for all classes and deadline is May 28 for the June 2 program. Supplies are included and no artistic ability needed; project options are designed for a range of artistic abilities.
To register, email Reer at theresa@operationsecondchance.org or go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1oxknF35iMt_yuJqTXN78nuZ2EWKOuLVRinVD-_Sv0wY/. For more information on Operation Second Chance, search the group on Facebook or go to operationsecondchance.org.
Most Popular
Comments / 0