Nonprofits Create Community is NIA’s theme for 2026, as we celebrate the ways that nonprofits come through for their communities in spite of all the challenges facing them. In this series, meet some NIA-insured nonprofits who share their stories of creating community in their own words.
Meet the Healing Warriors Program of Fort Collins, CO
Corinna Kromer, Executive Director of the Healing Warriors Program, explains:
“Healing Warriors Program improves the wellness of veterans and their families through no-cost, non-narcotic care, creating hope, healing, and connection while helping prevent veteran suicide.”
How does your nonprofit and your mission create community for the people and places you serve?
Creating opportunities for veterans and family members to feel seen, valued, and supported.
“Healing Warriors Program creates community by providing a safe, welcoming environment where veterans, service members, and their families can connect, heal, and thrive together.
Our mission is to improve the wellness of veterans and their families through no-cost, non-narcotic care, removing financial barriers that often prevent individuals from seeking support.
Many of the veterans we serve experience chronic pain, sleep disturbances, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, and social isolation.
Through acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, healing touch, and personalized client support, we help individuals regain a sense of hope, purpose, and connection.
Beyond providing treatment, we foster a strong network of care by connecting clients with community resources for counseling, housing, employment, food assistance, and other essential services.
Our partnerships with veteran service organizations, healthcare providers, community leaders, and volunteers create a collaborative ecosystem that supports the whole veteran family.
We believe community is built through relationships. Every day, we create opportunities for veterans and family members to feel seen, valued, and supported by people who understand their experiences.
By reducing barriers to care and promoting wellness, we help individuals strengthen their relationships at home, engage more fully in their communities, and contribute their skills and leadership to the places where they live and work.
Ultimately, Healing Warriors Program creates community by ensuring that no veteran or family member has to face their challenges alone.
Together with our supporters, partners, and volunteers, we are building healthier individuals, stronger families, and more resilient communities across Colorado.”
What are your nonprofit’s biggest challenges or obstacles to creating community?
Helping people see they don’t have to carry burdens on their own.
“One of Healing Warriors Program’s biggest challenges is helping veterans and their family members recognize that they deserve support, even if they believe others may need it more.
Many veterans are accustomed to putting others first and carrying burdens on their own. We frequently hear comments such as, “I’m okay,” or “Save those services for veterans who really need them.” While these sentiments come from a place of selflessness, they can prevent veterans from seeking care that could significantly improve their quality of life.
Many individuals assume that, because they are physically healthy, employed, or functioning well day to day, they do not qualify for support.
However, invisible wounds such as anxiety, chronic stress, sleep disturbances, post-traumatic stress, depression, and even suicidal thoughts can affect veterans regardless of their outward appearance.
We work diligently to communicate that seeking support is not a sign of weakness and that preventative wellness care can be just as important as crisis intervention.
Our goal is to help veterans understand that they do not have to wait until they are struggling severely before accessing care.
Another challenge is overcoming the isolation that many veterans experience after military service.
Transitioning from a highly connected military environment to civilian life can leave some veterans feeling disconnected from others who understand their experiences.
By providing a welcoming, judgment-free environment and connecting veterans to both healing services and community resources, we help rebuild those vital connections.
Additionally, as demand for our services continues to grow, we face the challenge of expanding access while maintaining the personalized care and sense of community that make our program effective.
Sustainable funding, community awareness, and strong partnerships are essential to ensuring we can continue reaching veterans and families who may otherwise fall through the cracks.
Despite these obstacles, Healing Warriors Program remains committed to creating a community where every veteran and family member feels valued, supported, and empowered to seek help.
We believe that no veteran should feel they must earn support through crisis. Every veteran deserves access to the care, connection, and resources that help them live healthier, more fulfilling lives.”
