'Survivors of Suicide' to help veterans' families, friends

Project New Hope, the organization created to help veterans and their families, is hosting a retreat for "Survivors of Suicide."

The retreat, scheduled Friday through Sunday, will be at Camp New Hope in McGregor. Participants are checking in at 5 p.m. Friday. There are still openings for the retreat.

Project New Hope is partnering with the Twin Ports Veterans Administration Clinic to host the three-day retreat for the families and friends of veterans who have taken their lives.

Lead Twin Ports VA Clinic counselor, retired Maj. Jeff Hall, said the retreat is aimed at helping families cope with the loss of their veteran. The event "will also allow us to learn from these families/friends about their needs and how we can be part of the solution," Hall said in a news release.

Bruce Billington, Project New Hope founder, said counselors will work to understand the needs of the group during the Friday night icebreaker and plan Saturday and Sunday events around those needs. Activities for the children will include broom ball, tubing, ice fishing, hiking and exploring.

The camp is on the shores of Glacier Lake in McGregor.

Billington said the team behind Project New Hope was humbled to have been asked to support this month's retreat and its mission to help families and friends of veterans who took their own lives.

"We always strive to do everything that we can in support of veterans and their families and this retreat allows us to grow in another direction," he said.