A Decade of Service
- Jessica Merritt
- 40 minutes ago
- 4 min read
 From the Heart of the Farm As we step into 2026, I find myself feeling deeply grateful and genuinely excited. This year marks our tenth year of service at the Special Liberty Project, and I honestly cannot believe how far this community has come. What began as a simple dream rooted in nature, connection, and service has grown into something far beyond anything I could have imagined. The photo above is from our very first launch party and fundraiser that still stops me in my tracks. In it, are my husband and co-founder Cory, and our twins, just five years old at the time, already woven into the heart of this work and me. That photo captures the beginning of something sacred and so very special. Since that day, we have served over 600 Veteran and Gold Star families. We have shown up again and again, learning, listening, growing, and building something truly meaningful alongside this community. As we plan and prepare for another year of healing and growth, my heart is full thinking about the families we have walked beside and the ones we have yet to meet. We have worked hard, gathered a decade of wisdom, and built a foundation rooted in care, integrity, and love. With ten years behind us and so much ahead, I feel confident, humbled, and very inspired as we step into the next decade of service together. |
Our Approach, Healing With an Eye on the Future Everything we do at the Special Liberty Project is therapeutic in nature, rooted in coaching and experiential learning through connection, nature, and shared experience. Our programs meet people where they are and help them move forward with clarity and intention. Through hands on experiences and guided reflection, families gain insight, build practical tools, and reconnect with themselves and each other. This approach works because growth happens through doing, feeling, and being supported, not just talking. Together, we help the families we serve release what no longer serves them and step into their next chapter with resilience, confidence, and community. |
The Power of the Horse Human Connection We partner with horses because they respond to what is real, not what we say, but how we show up. Their sensitivity to energy, boundaries, and presence helps reveal patterns we may not even realize we are carrying, offering insight without judgment. Horses invite us to slow down, listen, and reconnect with ourselves in an honest and embodied way. Veteran spouses are invited to join us for our monthly equine retreats and experience this powerful connection for themselves. |
Veterans Exploring Together, VET Program Our Veterans Exploring Together program continues to be a vital part of our mission. Through hiking, outdoor adventures, and shared experiences in nature, veterans are given space to reconnect with themselves and with one another. Nature has a way of quieting the noise and opening honest conversations. The VET program creates a supportive environment where veterans can build camaraderie, restore confidence, and rediscover a sense of purpose through movement and connection outdoors. |
A Place to Rest, Reflect, and Reconnect Our four day all inclusive nature based wellness retreats for Gold Star Families remain some of the most meaningful work we do. These retreats offer families a safe and supportive space to rest, reflect, and reconnect after profound loss. Through time spent in nature, guided experiences, creative workshops, and shared meals, families are gently reminded that they are not alone. Healing does not follow a timeline, and these retreats honor each family exactly where they are while offering steady and compassionate support as they move forward. We have now released registration details for our Gold Star Mothers retreat, our Military Widows retreat, and our first four day retreat designed specifically for military widows and their teens ages 13-18, made possible through a special partnership with our friends at Outdoor 76. Find more details about these upcoming retreats at the link below. |
From Participant to Program Assistant My name is Julia Bellamy, and I am honored to be joining the Special Liberty Project team as the new Program Assistant. I am a proud Veteran spouse originally from Virginia, and over the years, the mountains of Western North Carolina have truly become home. Living close to nature, alongside my own horse, has brought me an incredible sense of grounding, clarity, and peace. Horses have been a constant source of hope and healing in my life, and I have seen firsthand how powerful they can be for humans who are navigating stress, loss, and transition. My journey with the Special Liberty Project began as a participant, where I experienced the deep impact of these programs personally. Through time spent with the horses, nature, and this supportive community, I found a level of calm, connection, and renewal that stayed with me long after each retreat. Those experiences, combined with my lifelong work with equines, inspired me to give back to fellow Veteran families who deserve spaces that feel safe, restorative, and full of possibility. I am grateful to now be serving alongside this incredible team, supporting the meaningful work happening here at the Special Liberty Project, and helping create the same sense of healing and belonging for others that was so generously offered to me. |
THANK YOU GOLD STAR DONORS Jim and Julie Roberts Connie and Ted Rossin Jim Bade Bob and Sandie Trevathan Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation |
As always, thank you for being here. Whether you have been walking alongside us for ten years or you are just finishing this email, your presence matters more than you know. This work would not be possible without the love, trust, and support of this community, and I am endlessly grateful for each of you. |
With gratitude and hope,Jess & the Healing Herd of HorsesCo-Founder & Executive Director, Special Liberty Project |
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