Author Archives: Mike

Meet the Warrior Gateway Team: Serena

Posted on by Mike

 


 

 

Bio: After graduating from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design, Serena Hayden joined the U.S. Army as a Public Affairs Specialist in October 2003. Serving four and a half years, Serena began her military career as a photojournalist for the post newspaper at Fort Sill, Okla. She also competed in multiple competitions while stationed at Fort Sill, winning the 2005 Installation Management Agency Soldier of the Year. During the transition of Brigade Combat Teams in 2005, Serena was transferred to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, where she assisted in the development of the brigade’s public affairs office and served as the Public Affairs Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge. She deployed with the brigade to Diyala Province, Iraq, from 06-08, and was awarded the Bronze Star for her service. After leaving the military in 2008, Serena relocated to Austin, Texas, where she serves as a Community Partnership Manager and Marketing Specialist for Warrior Gateway.

QUICK FACTS

Hometown: San Antonio, Tx

Hobbies: Time with family and friends, Photography, Reading, Crossword Puzzles, Golf, Playstation 3

High School: Tom C. Clark High School – Class of ‘99

College: Proud Member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2003!

Q & A

What’s your position at Warrior Gateway?
Community Partnership Manager and Marketing Specialist

What’s special about working at Warrior Gateway?
When I left the military, I struggled with my transition and no longer felt I served a purpose. Working for Warrior Gateway allows me to continue serving the greatest population – our military community – and develop partnerships focused on innovative ways to ease their transitions.

So far, what has been your favorite moment at Warrior Gateway?
My favorite moment at Warrior Gateway has been developing relationships and partnerships with the organizations I met at the Texas Veterans Commission Veterans Summit. The ability to collaborate and work with other military-focused organizations is uplifting and truly enjoyable as we support them in supporting our service members, veterans and their families.

What is your connection to the military?
Several members of my family have served in the military, to include both of my grandfathers and one of my uncles. Unfortunately, they all died prior to my enlistment, but would be proud to know I served.

Why do you believe in the G.I. Network initiative?
Searching for resources, especially during difficult times, can be overwhelming and frustrating. Every resource directory provides different answers in regards to where the military community should go for assistance, so the ability to have a centralized directory which can be accessed from any partner organization’s website is vital. So whether resource information is accessed from the North Dakota VA’s website or TexVet.org, the G.I. Network provides streamlined results with the ability to leave feedback on services.

On a more personal note, what do you do in your free time?
My free time is mainly spent with friends and family. Iraq’s lessons of perspective on life are carried with me daily, so I make it a point to surround myself with loved ones as much as possible.

Connect with Serena!


Meet the Warrior Gateway Team: Nathalia

Posted on by Mike

 

 

 

Bio: Nathalia Magri was born and raised in Colombia, South America. At the age of 17, Nathalia and her family relocated to Texas, where she finished high school and earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Houston – Honors College.

Nathalia’s career in the non-profit world started her junior year of college when she joined Genesys Works; a Houston based non-profit organization that changes the life trajectory of low-income high school students. Her background and passion for education led her to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, where she served as Special Assistant and Liaison to the Board.

In 2009, Nathalia married Capt. John D. Magri (U.S. Army), and relocated to Colorado Springs, where she joined El Pomar Foundation’s team as a Program Associate. During her time at El Pomar Foundation, she managed the Summer Internship program and regional partnerships in the Southwest and High Country regions of Colorado. Nathalia also provided technical assistance and support to local non-profits, including: The Mountain Post Historical Center, CrossFire Ministries, and The Denver Foundation.

Nathalia joined the Warrior Gateway team in 2011 and currently serves as the Community Partnership Manager for the Western Region.

QUICK FACTS

Hometown: I was born and raised in South America in a beautiful city on the western side of Colombia, named Cali. The temperature there is absolutely perfect  - 70 degree (avg.) year-around.

Hobbies: … and things that I love to do: Yoga, hiking, reading Women’s Health Magazine, going for a run with my dog, trying new restaurants, and spending time with my family.

High School: I went to a German School in Colombia (kinder to sophomore year), and finished high school at Dickinson High School in Texas.

College: I earned a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Houston – Honors College.

 

Q & A

What’s your position at Warrior Gateway?
I am the Community Partnership Manager for the Western region of the U.S.

What’s special about working at Warrior Gateway?
The people! The Warrior Gateway team, and the people I meet who are doing wonderful things for the military community.

So far, what has been your favorite moment at Warrior Gateway?
My favorite moment happens every time I talk about the G.I. Network; every time we close a partnership, every time more and more people realize that we are able to better serve our service members, veterans, and families if we all work together.

What is your connection to the military?
I am married to a wonderful man who proudly serves in the U.S. Army.

Why do you believe in the G.I. Network initiative?
I believe that the G.I. Network will serve as a set of “yellow pages” that service members, veterans and their families can refer to for help to provide consistent answers, not links to other websites! I truly believe this is a win-win solution.  Not only will the G.I. Network help alleviate the frustration of the military community, but it will also help service providers be aware of other services and work with each other.

On a more personal note, what do you do in your free time?
Honestly, I love to spend time with my husband, I know! It sounds really cheesy, but it is true. Oh and… I clean!  There is nothing that I enjoy more than spending time in an nice, clean house.

One more thought
“Obstacles are those frightening things that become visible when we take our eyes off our goals.” ~Henry Ford

Connect with Nathalia!

 

Featured Resource Series: Project Sanctuary – Hosting Retreats for all Military Families

Posted on by Mike

Welcome Home Troops, now what??
Project Sanctuary partnering with The Sierra Club to make a difference.

 

Rightfully so, the news has been full of pictures of excited families, reuniting after returning home from Iraq, tearful embraces among the Welcome Home signs.  These images leave the majority of American thinking; “Ahhh, there is a happy ending”.  When in fact the war may just beginning.

Repeated deployments and conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injuries complicate the happily-ever-after, and often leave their mark on ALL the family members.  Suicides, divorces and Veteran unemployment are all record highs.

The traditional approach to treating PTSD relies on the use of medications provided solely to the individual.  What if there was an alternative method and incorporating treatment for the entire family??  Providing the family with an adaptation strategy to help break the cycle of PSTD rather than masking its symptoms.  And what if, what if, we could get these families moving in the right direction…outdoors!!

Project Sanctuary offers six day therapeutic retreats in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, hosted with YMCA’s Snow Mountain Ranch.   By utilizing year round outdoor recreation, our families are allowed to break their cycle of stress, bond with other families all the while enjoying hiking, fishing, skiing, tubing and horseback riding.

The goal is for the military family to obtain the skills necessary to integrate back into society in a healthy environment. Using year round recreational opportunities to assist with bonding, communicational skills and enhancing overall moods is a key element.   They are empowered to work through difficult issues as a family unit and continue to receive support from Project Sanctuary for two additional years.

This March, The Sierra Club, Project Sanctuary and Regis University are teaming up host ten military families for our 22nd retreat.  This collaboration brings together the best of all organizations with the goal of conducting a formalized study proving that outdoor recreation is a viable, timely and useful tool in healing the effects of PTSD in our military families.

So, “Welcome Home”.  Now grab a back pack, your family and hit a trail.  There is healing to be done!

About Project Sanctuary

Project Sanctuary is a Colorado 501C3 hosting therapeutic retreats for all military families. Retreats are lead by Licensed Professional Counselors, Recreation Therapists and Veterans.  Healthy Marriage, Financial Peace classes along with outdoor recreation are utilized in this one of a kind program. To date, Project Sanctuary has hosted 20 retreats and of our 143 families we can report zero suicides.
For more information please visit: www.projectsanctuary.us

Interested in Guest Blogging for us?

  • Email us at socialmedia@warriorgateway.org.

Retweetables

  • @WarriorGateway Featured Resource Series: @ProSanctuary hosting retreats for all #military families: http://ow.ly/92iTl #SeaOfGoodwill

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Texas Veterans Summit Focuses on Serving Veterans Through Coordination and Collaboration

Posted on by Mike

Warrior Gateway‘s Serena Hayden and Nathalia Magri attended the Texas Veterans Commission 14th Annual Veterans Summit this week in Austin, Texas.  The summit focused on serving veterans through coordination and collaboration, and brought more than 600 providers of veteran services and 80 exhibitors under one roof.

Warrior Gateway hosted an exhibit table, and participated in several of the breakout sessions featured during the summit.

“With approximately 1.8 million veterans across Texas, it’s vital that all organizations work together to address the unique needs of the military community,” Serena said.  ”The Veterans Summit provided an incredible platform for building partnerships and learning how to best impact the men and women who serve our country.”

In closing, Col. David W. Sutherland, Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – Warrior and Family Support, spoke about the resiliency, strength and courage of the military community.  Specifically, focusing on the “Sea of Goodwill” and the importance of partnerships.

Serena, who led Sutherland’s public affairs team while deployed to Divala Province, Iraq, from October 2006 through December 2007, was highlighted during the speech as the colonel highlighted the strength of the military community through the Army’s Warrior Ethos – “I will always place the mission first.  I will never except defeat.  I will never quit.  I will never leave a fallen comrade.”

“I am grateful to the Texas Veterans Commission for bringing all of these military-focused organizations together,” Serena continued.  ”Warrior Gateway is eager and looking forward to working with the many organizations we had the opportunity to learn about.”

Retweetables

#Texas #Veterans Summit focuses on coordination & collaboration to serve veterans: http://ow.ly/8ON1i @WarriorGateway

Warrior Gateway Heading to Texas for the “14th Annual Veterans Summit”

Posted on by Mike

Two members of the Warrior Gateway team will be attending the “14th Annual Veterans Summit” at the Crown Plaza, Austin, Texas January 31st-February 1st.  The Summit will feature various breakout sessions for attendees to attend; topics include: veteran-owned businesses and property tax exemptions, housing claims, mental health, grants, and much more.  There is no cost to attend the Summit, but attendees must register online to attend.  Go to www.tvc.state.tx.us and click the “Submit Registration” link.

Focused on serving veterans through coordination and collaboration, the annual summit is put on by the Texas Veterans Commission, whose mission is to advocate for and provide superior service for veterans in the areas of claims assistance, employment services, educaiton benefits and grant funding that will significantly improve the quality of life of Texas Veterans and their families.

Connect with us!

If you are attending the Summit, stop by the Warrior Gateway table and say hello!  Meet members of our team, and learn more about our mision to support the military community and their families.

Engage with us on Social Media

Follow the Warrior Gateway Twitter and Facebook accounts for Summit updates and photos.