Eagle Oak Retreat explains program to the Ellis County Commissioners Court

Founder Lillian Watanabe introduced their new retreat for veterans and first responders to the Ellis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, Aug. 23. Watanabe and her husband moved from Hawaii to Italy, Texas, to create Eagle Oak Retreat.

Watanabe explained to the commissioners how she and her husband looked around them at the shores of Hawaii and realized how grateful they were, but then they thought about what veterans and first responders go through. “We’ve got to do something. We can’t just sit back and enjoy the good life in Hawaii,” Watanabe said.

They bought a 65-acre ranch in Italy and dedicated 11 acres to build Eagle Oak Retreat. She said they broke ground in May and began construction, and have the framing of two bunkhouses up.

According to their website, the facility will be open in 2023.

“We want to take care of our heroes,” Wantanabe said. “Everyone deserves to have hope, love and happiness. We need to heal them – individuals and their families. So, we’re here, and it’s provided at no cost at all to our heroes.”

One of the programs they will offer is the Warrior PATHH program created by Boulder Crest Foundation. Boulder Crest Foundation is an organization dedicated to helping veterans and first responders overcome their struggles. It has locations in Virginia and Arizona and recently developed partnerships with other foundations across the United States, including Eagle Oak Retreat.

“We’re honored to be here in front of you and bring this program in Texas. We’ve been trying to do it for a long time,” Boulder Crest founder Ken Falke said to the court. Falke asked the court to help Eagle Oak with support in the way of grants and introductions. He said their company will bring resources and commit $600,000 a year, so that “veterans and first responders with PTSD can come to Ellis County and get healed.”

Veterans and first responders can apply to the Warrior PATHH program through Eagle Oak Retreat’s website. Once they have applied, they will receive an email to set up an interview.

Eric Fowler, Boulder Crest director of PATHH training, explained how the program is not for everyone. He said they like to resolve an applicant’s struggle with drug abuse or any legal issues before setting them up in the program.

Warrior PATHH is a 90-day program that begins on a ranch. Six to eight participants will spend one week on the ranch, learning and growing together. Their classes and sessions then continue in a virtual format for the rest of the program. Once their program is finished, they can connect with other program graduates through an app called myPATHH and support one another.

Both male and female combat veterans and first responders involved in a critical incident are eligible to apply to the program.

For more information about Eagle Oak Retreat, visit hhtps://www.eagleoakretreat.org. Originally published August 26, 2022 - https://www.waxahachiesun.com/news/local/eagle-oak-retreat-explains-program-to-the-ellis-county-commissioners-court/article_0e744716-259d-11ed-8b70-57be8b9bd004.html