December 20, 2024
Every year, Central Carolina Community Foundation honors a local nonprofit with the David W. Robinson Catalyst Award to recognize an outstanding organization making a significant difference in our community. This year, The Big Red Barn Retreat in Blythewood is the 2024 recipient.
“The Big Red Barn Retreat has taken the lead on helping our local veterans and first responders not only heal but grow after experiencing trauma and stress,” said Erin Johnson of Central Carolina Community Foundation. “They are achieving incredible outcomes and doing so with fidelity, compassion, and creativity.”
Founded in 2014, The Big Red Barn Retreat’s mission is to provide heroes with transformative programs, training, and services, so they become the best version of themselves and thrive at life. The Foundation’s Community Impact Committee that reviewed all applicants and ultimately recommended The Big Red Barn Retreat as this year’s recipient was impressed with the organization’s creativity in working with veterans, active duty, military, and first responders. The Foundation presents the award annually to an organization making a significant difference in the Midlands and demonstrating:
Persistent effort to find a solution to a complex problem
Creativity in exploring alternative approaches toward a solution
Community collaboration
Specific outcomes toward meeting a community need
The Big Red Barn Retreat offers two signature programs. One is Struggle Well Training, a prevention program that provides training to active-duty military units and first responder agencies so participants can transform struggle into strength and growth. The second is Warrior PATHH, an intervention program that is a seven-day retreat where participants go from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder to Post-Traumatic Growth. Several other services are offered in addition to these programs, and all are free to participants.
To learn more about the Big Red Barn Retreat, visit their website at https://www.thebigredbarnretreat.org/.
The Catalyst Award was established in 1994 by inaugural board member David W. Robinson’s family to acknowledge organizations within the Foundation’s 11-county service area that demonstrate leadership, creativity, vision, and commitment toward addressing critical issues in the community.