2017 November PASO Magazine

Mighty Oaks leaders create resources to help spread a message of hope PASO PEOPLE
Podcasts & books address topics affecting people from all walks of life
By Meagan Friberg
With more people
across the nation
needing counsel to
combat the effects
of post-traumatic
stress and other life
challenges, Mighty Oaks Warrior Programs
increased its commitment to deliver a message
of hope. The addition of a variety of
resources, including a podcast series and
the publication of four new books in 2017,
allows MOWP to reach more people than
ever before.
“The message we have is one we feel
more people need to hear,” said MOWP Executive
Director Jeremy Stalnecker, a retired
USMC Infantry Officer and Iraq War Veteran.
“That’s our goal with the books and podcasts
— to produce resources based on the
experiences we’ve had, the people we’ve
talked to, the things we’ve learned and put
those things down on paper or use our voices
so others may benefit.”
FRIDAY MORNING PODCASTS
Since July, Stalnecker and MOWP President
and Founder Chad Robichaux have
been hosting podcasts every Friday at 10
a.m. PST. Past guests include SLO District
Attorney Dan Dow; General
William G. “Jerry” Boykin; U.S.
Army Lt. Colonel Allen B. West,
and David Eubank, founder
and leader of the humanitarian
service movement Free Burma
Rangers.
“With the podcasts, we do talk
about Mighty Oaks, we do talk
about the military, but its bigger
than that…at least it is for us,” said Stalnecker.
“It’s about life’s struggles and how to deal
with those; it’s about a range of topics. It’s
not directed towards veterans and service
members; it’s directed to all people.”
The 28-member MOWP team schedule,
in 2017 alone, includes planning and
conducting 30 sessions at four locations,
including SkyRose Ranch in San Miguel. In
addition, Robichaux, a former USMC Special
Operation Force Recon veteran and Pro
MMA champion, and his team speak at numerous
churches, non-profit agencies, and
events. All of this keeps them busy – thankfully
so – but leaves less time to meet oneon-one
with everyone who is struggling.
The podcasts and books enable the MOWP
folks to address those with questions or concerns
in a more public way.
ORDER OR REQUEST A BOOK
Four books were released in
2017: The Truth About PTSD (Robichaux/Stalnecker),
Path to Resiliency
(Robichaux/Stalnecker), An
Unfair Advantage (Robichaux),
and Leadership by Design, (Stalnecker).
Previously-released
books include Marriage Advance
(Robichaux and his wife, Kathy).
Since its January release, 30,000 copies
of Path to Resiliency have been distributed
or sold. The books and podcasts
are written, produced, and distributed
through MOWP, thanks to the generosity
of donors and supporters who understand
the importance of delivering the messages
to a broad audience.
“It’s not a money-making venture for us,”
said Stalnecker. “We sell books so we can
give more books away. If you can’t afford a
book, and you need a book, please let us
know and we will make sure you receive a
copy.”
Click on the podcasts button
at mightyoaksprograms.org,
the MOWP Facebook page,
or on iTunes and other apps.
RESTORATIVE from page 16
to operate as sober transition homes.
However nothing was in North-County.
of being a house with five women and a
gaggle of small children all converging to
begin their lives anew! The goal is to stay
for no more than six months, find a more
The Paso piece of Restorative Partners is
challenged. As part of the overall program,
the needs are immense. However the rewards
and the successes are even more so!
Homes are more than roofs. They are places
permanent home, and make space for a I don't have anywhere near enough space
to heal trauma in a safe environment and
begin to trust in relationships again while
maintaining a job, developing a career and
managing a household. That's a lot on a
plate, don't you think?
As Restorative Partners' message began
new woman to continue her journey. With
full-time counseling and supervision, it's
happening! The first woman to do that has
moved on with her children and a new lady
has moved in. It's a good start.
As nice as that is, it's just one piece. The
in this article to cover it all.
Maybe you've been there or are that
someone or the loved-one of a person who
is caught in the web of addiction, is in jail or
who needs help. Maybe you can help.
Do you have a spare sewing machine
to spread, Atascadero was a likely North rest is the support structure to provide tools or a running car to donate? A job opening
SLO County place to start (closer to SLO) to guide and assist individuals through their that needs to be filled by a woman who
but nothing became available. Then, as it so journey from incarceration back into the is dedicated to continuing her life-altering
often happens, Paso got involved.
Just a few months ago, a five-bedroom
community. This is where “the reality becomes
real.”
situation? Maybe you can counsel or
teach or babysit or lead a music therapy
home close to downtown became available.
Programs are in place for sober living, class or teach a sewing class or make a fi-
It was perfect for women and small alternatives to violence, spiritual counselnancial
donation. Who knows? But, this my
children who would live in a clean and sober
ing, self awareness (I don't have to live fellow Roblans, I do know: these are things
environment with a House-Manager like that anymore), employment develop-
Roblans do for one another! It's that innate
and Program Coordinator.
ment, physical wellness, legal assistance “hidden-Roblan-gene” we were born with!
The women who enter have 30 days to
get a job, pay rent, and be able to shop and
get to work. Local gardeners, carpenters,
security teams, electricians and an on-call
handy-man appeared and made the home
ready.
Imagine the building's requirements
and many more. The programs balance on
the scale with the day-to-day necessities of
food, laundry, job-training, transportation,
private and study time, how to be a mom
and everything one can think of. Paso men
and women are part of this fabulously caring
team!
For more info, go to restortativepartners.
org or call Sister Theresa at 805-242-1272
If the feedback from this Chapter is such
that we need another chapter in December,
we'll do it!
Contact Chuck at CDESConsult@yahoo.
com.
18 PASO Magazine, November 2017