Living Waters Freedom Initiative

The heart of the Living Waters Freedom Initiative (LWFI) is found not in a place but in a way of living that empowers people to change. The broken foundations of our fast-paced and fragmented society have left many people lost and alone often struggling with the darkness of their minds in isolation. It is our belief that we were not created to be alone — either physically or emotionally. We simply journey along beside the hurting and allow them to process their life. Through pastoral counseling, peer support, and community we look to God for strength and walk together toward freedom. LWFI started out as providing a farm to Veterans and families for gathering and building community. Then, before we were barely off the ground as a new organization, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Gatherings and community were not easy to build during the pandemic. We realized that we needed to redefine our program! Rather than the main focus be a farm or a specific place, our main focus needed to be on building relationships, connections, community and peer-to-peer support with and for veterans and their families. We, can do that anywhere! We rebranded and improved our focus! Now, our program does not offer a "place" it offers connection to other Veterans for support, anywhere. The core of our program are weekly peer-to-peer support group meetings all over the country. Our peer-to-peer groups are able to gather around many different activities: fishing, hunting, hiking, cookouts, localized outings, retreats and/or other activities that offer opportunities to deepen our sense of meaning, connection and belonging. We try to build a bridge for Veterans and their families to escape isolation and to have peace and freedom. Living Waters Freedom Initiative is devoted to building genuine community for Veterans and their families and to cultivate leaders that will champion the initiative for healthy Veteran connections through peer-to-peer interactions.