History
HPW was established in 2008 by Lee Klinger Lesser and Chris Fortin - two long-time mindfulness meditation teachers with backgrounds in western mental health, emotional intelligence and mindfulness - came together to share a mutual concern for returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. Lee and Chris sought to adapt mindfulness - which has been scientifically shown to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, substance abuse and other conditions - to the unique needs of the veteran community, to meet the gaps in mental health and life skills programming for veterans returning home to civilian life.
Specialties
Honoring the Path of the Warrior offers free programs for veterans who have served since 1990. These include one-day events, retreats and a Veteran Leadership program. We assist veterans in making a positive transition from military to civilian life. We provide a pathway of meditation and mindfulness that welcomes, honors, and integrates their service and leadership. Our programs combine nature and engaging physical activities; meditation, Sensory Awareness and mindfulness practices. The intent is to provide Veterans with connection, community and tools that support them in using their strengths and experiences to find a meaningful and productive path in civilian life. Mindfulness-based interventions have been scientifically proven to be successful at transforming stress, anxiety and trauma in a number of diverse populations and are being used within the VA system for returning veterans, and on active duty for deployed soldiers. HPW is a San-Francisco-based non-profit organization under the fiscal sponsorship of the San Francisco Zen Center.