Meet the Team Behind: CreatiVets

CreatiVets empowers wounded U.S. veterans to heal from trauma by harnessing the creative arts—songwriting, visual art, and music—so they can express their stories, recover from PTSD, and build meaningful futures. Learn more here! 

Can you tell me about the need for your work? 

Our goal is to offer opportunities for relief and healing for the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country. We use various art forms, including songwriting, visual arts, music, and creative writing to help disabled veterans cope with service-related trauma. According to the Department of Defense, one in five veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are diagnosed with PTSD, which is hundreds of thousands of people. The social and economic costs of PTSD are immense, and veterans account for 20% of suicides in the US. Our programming allows individuals to avoid the stigma of receiving mental health treatment while still reaping the benefits. 

What do your programs entail?

Our songwriting program is a 3-day journey where veterans learn how to tell their stories through song by working with professional songwriters and producers. They write and record original music that reflects their personal experiences. The intro to art programs includes sculpture, woodworking, welding, and other hands-on experiences that allow veterans to communicate their emotions through art. We offer virtual programs, community workshops, and a mentorship program where participants can help guide new members. 

How does art help veterans? 

Veterans suffering from PTSD re-live their traumatic events for years, often feeling fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, guilt, shame, and hopelessness. These feelings can cause individuals to isolate themselves, withdraw from society, and lose touch with the important things in life— family, friends, career, and hobbies. Self-expression through art allows veterans to transform their stories of trauma and struggle into something beautiful and original, inspiring themselves, others, and motivating continued healing. Our programs help veterans reduce their PTSD symptoms, improving quality of life for them and their families. 

Can you tell me about the veterans you work with? 

We’ve helped thousands of veterans across all 50 states, with our veterans’ recorded songs receiving over 21M streams. We welcome any and all veterans who have served in any branch of the US Armed Forces— Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Our songwriting, art, astrophotography, and mentorship programs are for those who served in combat zones. All experience levels are welcome, and we encourage participants to be open to the healing power of creative expression. Through compassion, we’re helping veterans live again.