Brushwood Center will be closed on Wednesday, June 11th for the 5th Annual Community Leadership Roundtable
A child plays the ukulele, adults watching and assisting.

Military Kids Fest

Celebrate Summer with Brushwood Center’s At Ease initiative and enjoy art, music, activities, games, and nature with other members of the Military Community! In collaboration with Kids Rank, Veteran Art Tribe and other Veteran organizations. Brushwood’s second annual Military Kids Fest offers an open house with art, exploration, and fun.

Join us for:

  • Music fun and a singalong for all ages with Ukulady Lisa
  • A squishy slime-making activity with Veteran Art Tribe
  • Meet and greet reptiles and amphibians with the Lake County Forest Preserve
  • Information and resource tables from: Brushwood Center, Growing Healthy Families, Blue Star Families
  • A nature hike with Brushwood Center
  • Outdoor games, art activities, and more!

Please note, that this event is for Veterans, current service members, and their families only.

Contact Jessica Klinge at jklinge@brushwoodcenter.org if you have questions or concerns.

August 24 @ 3:00 pm 7:30 pm

Initiatives

At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans
Free
Midewin Tallgrass Prairie
Elwood, Illinois 60042 United States
+ Google Map

Paint and Photograph the Prairie

Join Brushwood Center’s At Ease initiative in a special program at the Midewin Tallgrass Prairie to enjoy four hours of painting and photographing the prairie with U.S. Veteran artists and photographers. Increase your skills while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow Veterans!

Cameras will be provided, but feel free to bring your own! All art materials will be provided at the event.

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Please note, that this event is for Veterans, current service members, and their families only.

Snacks will be provided. Please bring water.

Activity Expectation: Walking, possible uneven trails

Sensory Expectations: Prairie and forest landscape. Wear comfortable shoes.

Available Accommodations: No language interpretation available. We have walking sticks available.

Contact Jessica Klinge at jklinge@brushwoodcenter.org if you have mobility concerns.

July 19 @ 3:00 pm 7:00 pm

Initiatives

At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans
Free
Midewin Tallgrass Prairie
Elwood, Illinois 60042 United States
+ Google Map

Paint and Photograph the Prairie

Join Brushwood Center’s At Ease initiative in a special program at the Midewin Tallgrass Prairie to enjoy four hours of painting and photographing the prairie with U.S. Veteran artists and photographers. Increase your skills while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow Veterans!

Cameras will be provided, but feel free to bring your own! All art materials will be provided at the event.

__

Please note, that this event is for Veterans, current service members, and their families only.

Snacks will be provided. Please bring water.

Activity Expectation: Walking, possible uneven trails

Sensory Expectations: Prairie and forest landscape. Wear comfortable shoes.

Available Accommodations: No language interpretation available. We have walking sticks available.

Contact Jessica Klinge at jklinge@brushwoodcenter.org if you have mobility concerns.

Virtual Event Virtual Event

May 27 @ 6:00 pm 7:00 pm

Initiatives

At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans
Free

At Ease Book Club – Where the Light Enters: A Soldier’s Journey

Announcing a book club for Veterans and members of the military community with local author and Veteran Leland Austin Gagnebin, focused on his book  Where the Light Enters: A Soldier’s Journey.

From an idyllic childhood to the brutal realities of war, join Leland as he guides you through the struggles in the jungles of the A Shau Valley and rugged Annamite Mountains during the Vietnam War—and experience how, decades later, he journeyed back to this source of troubling dreams and PTSD in search of peace and closure. And found it.

As Veterans and military community members, we will explore Veteran stories and how these experiences impact the author, ourselves, and our community. Leland and Brushwood Center hope that his story can be a source of healing and story sharing for the military community.

This virtual book club will meet weekly on Zoom on Tuesdays from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm from April 22 – May 27. Books are provided.

Questions? Please contact Veterans Program Specialist, Jessica Klinge at jklinge@brushwoodcenter.org.

Activity expectation is sitting.

Available Accommodations: No language interpretation available. Virtual Class.

About the Book

Where The Light Enters is a memoir about the impact the Vietnam War had on one soldier’s life. It is a healing story, a spiritual journey, and the path taken in search of redemption, reconciliation, and reconnection. It is not a war story but rather a story of war.

Through a collection of short pieces, the author conveys the transformation from a loss of innocence and purity of heart through the struggles endured as an Infantry Rifleman with the 101st Airborne Division during the historic Battle for Firebase Ripcord — from the disillusionment, betrayal, and the loss of self to what the author endured after returning home. It is about the path followed in pursuit of as full a measure of peace in life as might be possible and encourages others to pursue theirs.

Moreover, this memoir shines a light on the noble and heroic story of what heart and strength of character it takes for men to struggle through years against themselves and the intense, inner wound of PTSD, and succeed.

This memoir transcends the Vietnam War, giving voice to all those struggling to put words to their own mental narratives. It further suggests a social prescription to assist reintegration into community. This finely crafted work has many layers — emotional, physical, behavioral, ethical, political, spiritual, the importance of family, and the bonds with fellow soldiers — all woven artfully into the tapestry of the author’s life story.

Conveyed in a raw, straightforward presentation without being crass or superfluously graphic, its descriptions are vibrant and visual, drawing emotion from the reader. This memoir shines a ray of hope upon both veteran and non-veteran, and anyone seeking redemption and forgiveness.

Virtual Event Virtual Event

May 13 @ 6:00 pm 7:00 pm

Initiatives

At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans
Free

At Ease Book Club – Where the Light Enters: A Soldier’s Journey

Announcing a book club for Veterans and members of the military community with local author and Veteran Leland Austin Gagnebin, focused on his book  Where the Light Enters: A Soldier’s Journey.

From an idyllic childhood to the brutal realities of war, join Leland as he guides you through the struggles in the jungles of the A Shau Valley and rugged Annamite Mountains during the Vietnam War—and experience how, decades later, he journeyed back to this source of troubling dreams and PTSD in search of peace and closure. And found it.

As Veterans and military community members, we will explore Veteran stories and how these experiences impact the author, ourselves, and our community. Leland and Brushwood Center hope that his story can be a source of healing and story sharing for the military community.

This virtual book club will meet weekly on Zoom on Tuesdays from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm from April 22 – May 27. Books are provided.

Questions? Please contact Veterans Program Specialist, Jessica Klinge at jklinge@brushwoodcenter.org.

Activity expectation is sitting.

Available Accommodations: No language interpretation available. Virtual Class.

About the Book

Where The Light Enters is a memoir about the impact the Vietnam War had on one soldier’s life. It is a healing story, a spiritual journey, and the path taken in search of redemption, reconciliation, and reconnection. It is not a war story but rather a story of war.

Through a collection of short pieces, the author conveys the transformation from a loss of innocence and purity of heart through the struggles endured as an Infantry Rifleman with the 101st Airborne Division during the historic Battle for Firebase Ripcord — from the disillusionment, betrayal, and the loss of self to what the author endured after returning home. It is about the path followed in pursuit of as full a measure of peace in life as might be possible and encourages others to pursue theirs.

Moreover, this memoir shines a light on the noble and heroic story of what heart and strength of character it takes for men to struggle through years against themselves and the intense, inner wound of PTSD, and succeed.

This memoir transcends the Vietnam War, giving voice to all those struggling to put words to their own mental narratives. It further suggests a social prescription to assist reintegration into community. This finely crafted work has many layers — emotional, physical, behavioral, ethical, political, spiritual, the importance of family, and the bonds with fellow soldiers — all woven artfully into the tapestry of the author’s life story.

Conveyed in a raw, straightforward presentation without being crass or superfluously graphic, its descriptions are vibrant and visual, drawing emotion from the reader. This memoir shines a ray of hope upon both veteran and non-veteran, and anyone seeking redemption and forgiveness.

Virtual Event Virtual Event

May 20 @ 6:00 pm 7:00 pm

Initiatives

At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans
Free

At Ease Book Club – Where the Light Enters: A Soldier’s Journey

Announcing a book club for Veterans and members of the military community with local author and Veteran Leland Austin Gagnebin, focused on his book  Where the Light Enters: A Soldier’s Journey.

From an idyllic childhood to the brutal realities of war, join Leland as he guides you through the struggles in the jungles of the A Shau Valley and rugged Annamite Mountains during the Vietnam War—and experience how, decades later, he journeyed back to this source of troubling dreams and PTSD in search of peace and closure. And found it.

As Veterans and military community members, we will explore Veteran stories and how these experiences impact the author, ourselves, and our community. Leland and Brushwood Center hope that his story can be a source of healing and story sharing for the military community.

This virtual book club will meet weekly on Zoom on Tuesdays from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm from April 22 – May 27. Books are provided.

Questions? Please contact Veterans Program Specialist, Jessica Klinge at jklinge@brushwoodcenter.org.

Activity expectation is sitting.

Available Accommodations: No language interpretation available. Virtual Class.

About the Book

Where The Light Enters is a memoir about the impact the Vietnam War had on one soldier’s life. It is a healing story, a spiritual journey, and the path taken in search of redemption, reconciliation, and reconnection. It is not a war story but rather a story of war.

Through a collection of short pieces, the author conveys the transformation from a loss of innocence and purity of heart through the struggles endured as an Infantry Rifleman with the 101st Airborne Division during the historic Battle for Firebase Ripcord — from the disillusionment, betrayal, and the loss of self to what the author endured after returning home. It is about the path followed in pursuit of as full a measure of peace in life as might be possible and encourages others to pursue theirs.

Moreover, this memoir shines a light on the noble and heroic story of what heart and strength of character it takes for men to struggle through years against themselves and the intense, inner wound of PTSD, and succeed.

This memoir transcends the Vietnam War, giving voice to all those struggling to put words to their own mental narratives. It further suggests a social prescription to assist reintegration into community. This finely crafted work has many layers — emotional, physical, behavioral, ethical, political, spiritual, the importance of family, and the bonds with fellow soldiers — all woven artfully into the tapestry of the author’s life story.

Conveyed in a raw, straightforward presentation without being crass or superfluously graphic, its descriptions are vibrant and visual, drawing emotion from the reader. This memoir shines a ray of hope upon both veteran and non-veteran, and anyone seeking redemption and forgiveness.

Virtual Event Virtual Event

May 6 @ 6:00 pm 7:00 pm

Initiatives

At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans
Free

At Ease Book Club – Where the Light Enters: A Soldier’s Journey

Announcing a book club for Veterans and members of the military community with local author and Veteran Leland Austin Gagnebin, focused on his book  Where the Light Enters: A Soldier’s Journey.

From an idyllic childhood to the brutal realities of war, join Leland as he guides you through the struggles in the jungles of the A Shau Valley and rugged Annamite Mountains during the Vietnam War—and experience how, decades later, he journeyed back to this source of troubling dreams and PTSD in search of peace and closure. And found it.

As Veterans and military community members, we will explore Veteran stories and how these experiences impact the author, ourselves, and our community. Leland and Brushwood Center hope that his story can be a source of healing and story sharing for the military community.

This virtual book club will meet weekly on Zoom on Tuesdays from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm from April 22 – May 27. Books are provided.

Questions? Please contact Veterans Program Specialist, Jessica Klinge at jklinge@brushwoodcenter.org.

Activity expectation is sitting.

Available Accommodations: No language interpretation available. Virtual Class.

About the Book

Where The Light Enters is a memoir about the impact the Vietnam War had on one soldier’s life. It is a healing story, a spiritual journey, and the path taken in search of redemption, reconciliation, and reconnection. It is not a war story but rather a story of war.

Through a collection of short pieces, the author conveys the transformation from a loss of innocence and purity of heart through the struggles endured as an Infantry Rifleman with the 101st Airborne Division during the historic Battle for Firebase Ripcord — from the disillusionment, betrayal, and the loss of self to what the author endured after returning home. It is about the path followed in pursuit of as full a measure of peace in life as might be possible and encourages others to pursue theirs.

Moreover, this memoir shines a light on the noble and heroic story of what heart and strength of character it takes for men to struggle through years against themselves and the intense, inner wound of PTSD, and succeed.

This memoir transcends the Vietnam War, giving voice to all those struggling to put words to their own mental narratives. It further suggests a social prescription to assist reintegration into community. This finely crafted work has many layers — emotional, physical, behavioral, ethical, political, spiritual, the importance of family, and the bonds with fellow soldiers — all woven artfully into the tapestry of the author’s life story.

Conveyed in a raw, straightforward presentation without being crass or superfluously graphic, its descriptions are vibrant and visual, drawing emotion from the reader. This memoir shines a ray of hope upon both veteran and non-veteran, and anyone seeking redemption and forgiveness.

Virtual Event Virtual Event

April 29 @ 6:00 pm 7:00 pm

Initiatives

At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans
Free

At Ease Book Club – Where the Light Enters: A Soldier’s Journey

Announcing a book club for Veterans and members of the military community with local author and Veteran Leland Austin Gagnebin, focused on his book  Where the Light Enters: A Soldier’s Journey.

From an idyllic childhood to the brutal realities of war, join Leland as he guides you through the struggles in the jungles of the A Shau Valley and rugged Annamite Mountains during the Vietnam War—and experience how, decades later, he journeyed back to this source of troubling dreams and PTSD in search of peace and closure. And found it.

As Veterans and military community members, we will explore Veteran stories and how these experiences impact the author, ourselves, and our community. Leland and Brushwood Center hope that his story can be a source of healing and story sharing for the military community.

This virtual book club will meet weekly on Zoom on Tuesdays from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm from April 22 – May 27. Books are provided.

Questions? Please contact Veterans Program Specialist, Jessica Klinge at jklinge@brushwoodcenter.org.

Activity expectation is sitting.

Available Accommodations: No language interpretation available. Virtual Class.

About the Book

Where The Light Enters is a memoir about the impact the Vietnam War had on one soldier’s life. It is a healing story, a spiritual journey, and the path taken in search of redemption, reconciliation, and reconnection. It is not a war story but rather a story of war.

Through a collection of short pieces, the author conveys the transformation from a loss of innocence and purity of heart through the struggles endured as an Infantry Rifleman with the 101st Airborne Division during the historic Battle for Firebase Ripcord — from the disillusionment, betrayal, and the loss of self to what the author endured after returning home. It is about the path followed in pursuit of as full a measure of peace in life as might be possible and encourages others to pursue theirs.

Moreover, this memoir shines a light on the noble and heroic story of what heart and strength of character it takes for men to struggle through years against themselves and the intense, inner wound of PTSD, and succeed.

This memoir transcends the Vietnam War, giving voice to all those struggling to put words to their own mental narratives. It further suggests a social prescription to assist reintegration into community. This finely crafted work has many layers — emotional, physical, behavioral, ethical, political, spiritual, the importance of family, and the bonds with fellow soldiers — all woven artfully into the tapestry of the author’s life story.

Conveyed in a raw, straightforward presentation without being crass or superfluously graphic, its descriptions are vibrant and visual, drawing emotion from the reader. This memoir shines a ray of hope upon both veteran and non-veteran, and anyone seeking redemption and forgiveness.

Virtual Event Virtual Event

April 22 @ 6:00 pm 7:00 pm

Initiatives

At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans
Free

At Ease Book Club – Where the Light Enters: A Soldier’s Journey

Announcing a book club for Veterans and members of the military community with local author and Veteran Leland Austin Gagnebin, focused on his book  Where the Light Enters: A Soldier’s Journey.

From an idyllic childhood to the brutal realities of war, join Leland as he guides you through the struggles in the jungles of the A Shau Valley and rugged Annamite Mountains during the Vietnam War—and experience how, decades later, he journeyed back to this source of troubling dreams and PTSD in search of peace and closure. And found it.

As Veterans and military community members, we will explore Veteran stories and how these experiences impact the author, ourselves, and our community. Leland and Brushwood Center hope that his story can be a source of healing and story sharing for the military community.

This virtual book club will meet weekly on Zoom on Tuesdays from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm from April 22 – May 27. Books are provided.

Questions? Please contact Veterans Program Specialist, Jessica Klinge at jklinge@brushwoodcenter.org.

Activity expectation is sitting.

Available Accommodations: No language interpretation available. Virtual Class.

About the Book

Where The Light Enters is a memoir about the impact the Vietnam War had on one soldier’s life. It is a healing story, a spiritual journey, and the path taken in search of redemption, reconciliation, and reconnection. It is not a war story but rather a story of war.

Through a collection of short pieces, the author conveys the transformation from a loss of innocence and purity of heart through the struggles endured as an Infantry Rifleman with the 101st Airborne Division during the historic Battle for Firebase Ripcord — from the disillusionment, betrayal, and the loss of self to what the author endured after returning home. It is about the path followed in pursuit of as full a measure of peace in life as might be possible and encourages others to pursue theirs.

Moreover, this memoir shines a light on the noble and heroic story of what heart and strength of character it takes for men to struggle through years against themselves and the intense, inner wound of PTSD, and succeed.

This memoir transcends the Vietnam War, giving voice to all those struggling to put words to their own mental narratives. It further suggests a social prescription to assist reintegration into community. This finely crafted work has many layers — emotional, physical, behavioral, ethical, political, spiritual, the importance of family, and the bonds with fellow soldiers — all woven artfully into the tapestry of the author’s life story.

Conveyed in a raw, straightforward presentation without being crass or superfluously graphic, its descriptions are vibrant and visual, drawing emotion from the reader. This memoir shines a ray of hope upon both veteran and non-veteran, and anyone seeking redemption and forgiveness.

April 17 @ 6:30 pm 7:30 pm

Initiatives

At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans
Free

Art Social Hour for Women Veterans and Families

Connect with fellow women Veterans and family members around art and art-making! Socialize, learn, and grow your process as an artist as you connect with resources and community that support Veteran women artists. This is an informal social group, not a formal skills class.

If you have any technical needs, please email, Veterans Program Specialist, jklinge@brushwoodcenter.org.

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