Mindfulness Program at Thresholds Veterans Project

About Thresholds Veterans Project

To date, more than 2.4 million men and women have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. For many, the return home is fraught with challenges:

  • 1 in 4 have sought treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder/depression
  • 1 in 3 struggles with substance abuse
  • 1 in 5 is unemployed
  • 18 commit suicide every day

Veterans of past conflicts represent 8% of the U.S. population yet 30% of the homeless population. Illinois is one of seven states with more than 10,000 homeless veterans. Currently, government funding serves only 1 of 10 veterans in need.

Whether they served in the Vietnam War, the first Gulf War, or the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, thousands of soldiers return from combat with scars both physical and psychological. For many, reintegrating into their communities and their former lives proves impossible. Unable to cope, the tragic outcomes of homelessness, hopelessness, and helplessness are often the result.

Thresholds boasts 50 years of experience working with Chicago’s most at-risk populations. Integrating our award-winning, evidence-based practices and strategic partnerships, the Veterans Project includes homeless outreach, housing services, supported employment, peer-driven supports, substance abuse treatment, integrated physical and mental health services, and trauma-based therapies.

About Thresholds and Mindfulness

In the summer of 2012, Thresholds and Shambhala held a fundraiser to raise funds to bring Mindfulness to Threshold’s current staff.  Two Shambhala Instructors, Shastri Marita McLauglin and Claudelle Glasgow, have put together a curriculum to train Threshold’s staff in mindfulness meditation and other practices.  This year, the program will be offered to the veterans themselves.  For the next 10 months, the veterans will be invited to the West Loop space once a week to learn about mindfulness and to cultivate community.  In addition, Shambhala member Dasha Zabelina, who currently studies cognitive neuroscience at Northwestern University, has been conducting neuro-scientific measurements for the project.