My name is Karen Hellman and I am a 9/11 survivor. I recently created Peaceful Warrior Rising, a non-profit, awaiting 501(c)(3) approval, to provide nationwide holistic retreats for individuals directly impacted by 9/11. My vision arose from my own journey on a grueling search for emotional and mental wellness in the many years that followed.
These retreats are for survivors, family members and loved ones of victims and survivors, first responders, healthcare workers and volunteers who provided support during and in the aftermath.
We are approaching 25 years since that life-altering day, however, many are still silently suffering the residual emotional impact. The impact of trauma lingers in the body and mind, it affects relationships and how individuals show up in life. I can relate, because that was me for many years following 9/11. Diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression I felt lost, overwhelmed, emotionally depleted and physically exhausted - and felt no one understood me. My 18 year journey of healing from 9/11 and transforming my life led me to explore many forms of bodywork, energy medicine, ancestral trauma, somatic movement while furthering my education because, that's where the shift happened.
For many survivors, more is required than time to heal - it's about support and connection with others who have had a similar experience. We created a unique environment for survivors to explore healing with compassion and understanding, to be enveloped in a supportive community with others who experienced grief, loss and emotional struggles specifically related to 9/11. They will learn how to reconnect to their body, in a safe, grounded way, utilizing practices in mindfulness, meditation, breathing techniques, body-awareness and nervous system self-care strategies while being supported by a team of trauma-informed practitioners.
Our organization has a powerful mission to help transform lives through community, shared experiences, personal growth and emotional resilience. It it our hope is for the attendees to return home feeling understood, more whole, peaceful and empowered with tools for nervous system regulation and emotional resilience.
Your generosity will allow them to focus and care for their mental health and emotional needs in an environment of peers who can relate. Your gift will allow individuals to attend without financial burden, enabling them to focus on their journey to wellness - providing them with hope and new possibilities.
Check out our website to learn more about our mission at https://www.peacefulwarriorrising.org/
For those interested in attending, kindly submit the questionnaire on our website. We want to ensure the retreat is an experience that is safe, supportive and beneficial for all participants.
If you know someone affected by 9/11 who might benefit from this retreat or future retreats please share our website.
Your donations will be used for:
Participant's accommodations and meals for a 4 day/3 night retreat experience
September 11-14, 2026
Location: Madre Tierra Wellness Farm in Livingston, Texas
Retreat location rental
Supplies
Fees for practitioners/vendors
*We hope to meet our donation goal to also cover participants' transportation costs for the first retreat.
Donations raised beyond our goal will be used towards providing additional retreats throughout the U.S.
With deep gratitude,
Karen Hellman
Founder of Peaceful Warrior Rising