Support the Bronx VA Whole Health Program

Help us advance Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) interventions and wellness-oriented programs that build resilience, increase wellbeing, and reduce suicide risk among Veterans.

Why Your Gift Matters

Many Veterans encounter a range of interconnected challenges after their military service, including chronic pain, post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and difficulties with reintegration into civilian life. Others may struggle with feeling disconnected from a sense of purpose or identity, especially after the structured environment of military service.

While traditional models of care often prioritize symptom management and diagnosis-driven treatment, Whole Health offers a more comprehensive and person-centered approach. It empowers Veterans to explore what truly matters to them, such as relationships, purpose, or personal goals, and aligns their care with those values to support long-term well-being and self-directed healing.

Suicide prevention remains a high priority across the VA. Whole Health CIH interventions target risk factors that contribute to suicide and offer Veterans alternative paths to wellness that may feel more accessible than traditional mental health treatment. These programs also support smoother transitions into mental health services when appropriate.

Your generous donation will directly support these vital programs. By donating, you help us provide Veterans with the tools and support they need to lead healthier, happier, and higher-quality lives.

Programs Your Gift Supports

  • THRIVE

    Therapeutic Horticulture for Rehabilitative Intervention for Veteran Engagement (THRIVE) is a program in which Veterans participate in four sessions of structured horticultural therapy at the New York Botanical Gardens, fostering healing connections with nature and promoting mental well-being.

  • GROW

    Garden for Resilience and Optimal Wellness (GROW) is a drop-in program at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center that offers Veterans and staff opportunities to cultivate resilience and wellness through hands-on gardening activities, fostering a sense of community and purpose.

  • Mindfulness Classes

    Veterans learn mindfulness practices both online and in-person, developing skills to manage stress, improve focus, and cultivate greater emotional resilience in daily life.

  • Physical Activity Classes

    From Tai Chi sessions at the Yonkers Clinic to Chair Yoga, these classes provide Veterans with gentle yet effective physical activities tailored to improve mobility, balance, and overall physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.

  • Healthy Nutrition Classes

    These classes educate Veterans on the benefits of whole health and anti-inflammatory dietary regimens, empowering them to make healthier food choices and optimize their nutritional intake for improved health outcomes.

  • Taking Charge of My Life and Health

    Through interactive sessions, Veterans gain practical tools and resources to actively manage their physical and mental health, empowering them to make informed decisions and positive lifestyle changes.

  • Pain Management & Wellness Coaching

    Veterans receive personalized coaching and support to address chronic pain, incorporating holistic approaches to enhance overall wellness and quality of life.

  • Mindfulness Photography Classes

    Veterans explore mindfulness through the lens of photography, capturing moments of beauty and practicing presence and gratitude in their daily lives.

  • Female/Male/Unisex Veterans’ Whole Health and Wellness Group

    This group provides a safe and supportive space for Veterans to address their unique health needs, fostering connection, empowerment, and holistic well-being.

  • African Drumming & Conga Lessons

    Veterans engage in therapeutic rhythm and self-expression through African drumming and conga lessons, promoting relaxation, stress relief, and emotional well-being.

Support THRIVE at the New York Botanical Garden!

While Whole Health is a national directive of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, certain programs within it are tailored to meet the specific needs and strengths of the surrounding communities. One of those programs is THRIVE, Therapeutic Horticulture for Rehabilitative Intervention for Veteran Engagement. THRIVE is uniquely offered through the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in partnership with the New York Botanical Garden.

THRIVE represents a powerful integration of nature-based therapy into the VA’s Whole Health approach. It uses therapeutic horticulture as a vehicle for healing, engagement, and personal growth. Set within a serene garden environment, the program encourages Veterans to reconnect with themselves, their peers who uniquely understand their experiences, and the natural world.

Over the course of four intensive and intimate weeks, participants engage in hands-on horticultural experiences. Veterans who participate in THRIVE have shared that their experiences in the program have led to reduced symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, while also improving mood and emotional regulation. These positive changes have, in turn, fostered greater social connection, peer support, and a renewed sense of community.

The program concludes with a graduation, where Veterans gather to honor their growth and shared journey. Upon completion, participants receive a one-year membership to the New York Botanical Garden, which includes access for their families. This benefit supports a continued connection to nature and overall well-being.

Ways to Give

  • Make an Immediate Impact Through a One-Time Donation

    Your one-time donation can make an immediate impact on the lives of Veterans participating in the Bronx VA Whole Health programs. Whether it's funding a single session of mindfulness, providing materials for a healthy nutrition class, or supporting a Veteran through our comprehensive four-week THRIVE program, your generous gift helps empower Veterans to take charge of their health and well-being. Every donation counts and directly contributes to the resilience and wellness of our Veterans.

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  • Maximize Your Support By Becoming a Monthly Donor

    By becoming a monthly supporter, you provide consistent and reliable funding that allows us to plan and sustain our programs year-round. Your ongoing contributions ensure that Veterans continue to receive essential services such as pain management, wellness coaching, horticultural therapy, and physical activity classes. Monthly support helps us reach more Veterans and provide the continuous care and resources they need to thrive. Join us in making a lasting difference in the lives of our Veterans.

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  • Lead the Way as a Veterans' Wellness Champion

    Lead the way in supporting Veterans' wellness by making a significant donation of at least $1,000. As a Wellness Champion, your contribution can underwrite comprehensive programming for at-risk Veterans and sponsor entire groups in the Bronx VA Whole Health programs for extended periods. Your leadership and generosity at this level ensure that we can provide the highest level of care and support and make a profound impact on the health and well-being of our Veterans.

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 FAQs

  • Yes, the Bronx Veterans Medical Research Foundation, Inc. (BVMRF) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. BVMRF’s Tax ID is 13-3699250.

  • In 1988, Congress passed Public Law 100-322 that allowed Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers to establish nonprofit research corporations (NPCs) to broaden the VA’s ability to benefit from private and non-VA public support. BVMRF is the NPC that administers extramural funding of diverse programs in the Bronx VA, including securing private and public funding for programs like Whole Health that enhance the quality of care and health for Veterans.

  • Yes, the Bronx Veterans Medical Research Foundation, Inc. (BVMRF) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your donation receipt as your official record. We'll send it to you upon successful completion of your donation.

  • If you donate online, your gift will be charged immediately. Any recurring gifts will be charged on the same day every month, or the next closest business day. Donations received by mail will be processed within 1-2 business days of receipt.

  • A donation receipt will be sent to you at the email address you provide. Please keep a copy of your receipt for tax purposes. If you select a recurring donation, you will be sent an individual receipt each month when your donation is processed.

  • Yes, you can edit, update, and cancel your recurring donation. BVMRF’s monthly giving plans are managed on GoFundMe Pro, a secure donation platform. To learn how to make changes to an existing monthly giving plan, click here or contact BVMRFAdmin@va.gov or (718) 741-4442.

  • Yes. Please note in the memo line:

    “Whole Health RWC”

    Make your check payable to BVMRF and mail your gift to our administrative office:

    Bronx Veterans Medical Research Foundation, Inc.
    130 West Kingsbridge Road
    Bronx, NY 10468

    We will mail you a receipt for tax purposes; alternatively, please provide your email address if you wish to receive a receipt electronically.

  • Matching gifts are an excellent way to further the impact of your contribution. Your employer may double or even triple your donation with a matching gift. Check with your employer’s Human Resources Department to see what employer-matching opportunities are available. If your employer approves the matching gift, the company will send a check for the matching gift according to their company guidelines.

  • Yes. The security and confidentiality of your information is our highest priority. We use industry-standard SSL (secure socket layer) technology to protect your information and provide a safe and secure environment for online donations. We will not sell, trade, or share your personal information with anyone else, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations, and we will only share personal information if you have given us specific permission to do so.

  • If you are passionate about supporting a specific Whole Health initiative, you can designate your donation in the "Leave a Comment" section. You can also contact us directly to discuss your preferences, and we will ensure that your contribution is used to advance your chosen area.

  • Thank you for considering a significant contribution. We welcome the opportunity to discuss significant gifts with our donors. Please contact us directly to arrange a meeting with our leadership team or Board of Directors. We are happy to work with you to ensure your donation aligns with your philanthropic goals and makes the greatest impact.

  • BVMRF adheres to all federal and state reporting requirements, undergoes comprehensive annual financial audits, and submits mandatory annual reports to the Department of Veterans Affairs and to the U.S. Congress. Furthermore, BVMRF undergoes triannual audits conducted by the Nonprofit Program Office (NPPO), a VHA program office that operates as a liaison between the Veterans Health Administration and nonprofit corporations (NPCs).

  • We're happy to help in any way we can! Please contact BVMRFAdmin@va.gov or (718) 741-4442 or click here to visit the Supporter Center on GoFundMe Pro and view resources under “General” to learn more about managing your donations.

Discover More About VA Whole Health

  • What is the VA Whole Health Program?

    The VA Whole Health program is a personalized approach to care that focuses on what matters most to Veterans, beyond just their medical conditions. Whole Health supports Veterans in making meaningful lifestyle changes that reflect their goals and values by focusing on “WHAT MATTERS” NOT “WHAT’S THE MATTER.”

    It empowers Veterans to set meaningful goals while supporting them with tools like the Circle of Health and the Personal Health Inventory (PHI). According to VA data, Veterans who engage in Whole Health report improved quality of life and greater satisfaction with care.

    Learn more >

Contact the Whole Health Program at the Bronx VA.

BVMRFAdmin@va.gov
(718) 741-4442

130 West Kingsbridge Road
Bronx, NY 10468