OUR HISTORY
Veteran Resilience Project, VRP, is a Minnesota based non-profit organization established in 2015 by Founder, Elaine Wynne, MA, LP, Certified EMDR Therapist. In 2012 Elaine Wynne, along with a research committee, had been conducting research to show the effectiveness of EMDR and evidence showed that 100% of the Veterans that participated had a significant decrease in their Post Traumatic Stress symptoms. Thus, validating the need for MN Veterans and military members to have easy access to this effective form of trauma therapy.
VRP organized a statewide network of mental health professionals with expertise using a highly effective PTS(D) treatment – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR therapy treats Post Traumatic Stress and or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Military Sexual Trauma, Moral Injury, Soldier Heart, Combat Stress, and all other after effects of war and military service.
VRP connects Veterans and military members to a VRP Network therapist and provides 12 FREE EMDR therapy sessions regardless of VA eligibility.
VRP continuously trains and refer to a statewide network of accredited therapists who provide confidential EMDR therapy (Eye Movement, Desensitization, and Reprocessing) to all Veterans, regardless of discharge status: including Active Military, Reserves, and National Guard.
To Learn More about EMDR and the effectiveness of this treatment please visit www.emdria.org.
Meet the VRP Board
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Eric Wickiser
Board Chair
Retired Management Consultant & Engineer Navy Veteran
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Elaine Wynne
Vice Chair
Founder of VRP, Certified EMDR Therapist, EMDR Approved Consultant, Owner of Circle of Cranes Psychology Center, Veteran Spouse
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Jacob Thomas
Board Member
Served 8 years Active Duty Air Force, Communications Director
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Jim Finley
Board Member
Retired Army Veteran, Retired Director of Veterans Employment Service
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Bob Cardinal
Bob Cardinal, founding member of MCP, Inc.-publishers of Twin Cities Reader and CitiBusiness.
Veteran Advocate
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Loni Wegman
Board Member
Business Analyst, Veteran & Military Family Advocate
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Ray Camper
Social Service Professional, Pursing Doctor of Education & Army Veteran
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Sara Sumner
Board Member
EMDR Certified Therapist & Veteran Spouse
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Patty Franco
Health plan director with 34 plus years experience.
Advocate for Veteran and Military Families
Join Our Board of Directors
Join Our Board of Directors
If you are interested in being apart of an organization that is dedicated to supporting the Health & Wellbeing of our Minnesota military community please contact us today and fill out the interest form below.
Meet the Staff
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Jonna Phillips, LMFT
Executive Director
Currently Serving MN National Guard Member
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Zachary Binsfeld
Metro/Central Minnesota Outreach Coordinator
Army Veteran
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Jenna Graen
Northern Minnesota Outreach Coordinator
Air Force Veteran
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Ashley Olson, LSW
Care Coordinator
Veteran Spouse
Volunteer Form
Veteran Resilience Project’s Policy
It is the policy of this organization to provide equal opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual preference, age, or disability.
Thank you for completing this application form and for your interest in volunteering with us.
Our Grant Supporters
Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Grant
Veteran Resilience Project is proud to announce that we have been awarded a grant from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA).
About MDVA
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is a cabinet-level state agency dedicated to serving Minnesota Veterans and their families. In addition, to overseeing the five State Veterans Homes, three State Veterans Cemeteries, MDVA helps eligible Veterans and families secure state and federal benefits and provides programs and services relating to higher education, benefits, burial, claims, outreach, and Veterans employment. Veterans and their families are encouraged to visit www.MinnesotaVeteran.org or call 1-(888)-LinkVet for more information.
Press Release for Veteran Resilience Project and DVNF Grant Funding
Veteran Resilience Project Receives Grant Award from Disabled Veterans National Foundation
St. Paul, MN – August 5, 2023 –Veteran Resilience Project is honored to announce it has received a grant from the Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) for $16,000, which will fund the expansion of our program into Northern Minnesota – a part of the state with the highest per capita population of Veterans but with the some of the greatest gaps in access to mental health care. This effort will include training additional EMDR therapists to join the existing network and developing an outreach program to target Veterans, Military Members, and Spouses in need of trauma therapy.
Visit: https://www.dvnf.org/to learn more.