Summer is heating up at the Big Red Barn Retreat—and so is the excitement! This month, we’re thrilled to welcome our new Executive Director, Mitch Ray, whose passion and leadership will guide BRBR into its next chapter. Don’t forget:the Heroes Singer Songwriter Showcase is almost here! Join us June 13 for an unforgettable night of country music and community. Plus, there’s still time to support our Seen Through Horses campaign, extended through June 8 to help us reach our fundraising goal. And if you’re looking for a way to get creative, don’t miss our upcoming Summer Art Workshops - open to veterans, first responders, and their families! Keep reading to learn more!
Join Us in Welcoming our New Executive Director,
Mitch Ray!
Welcome, Mitch Ray, the new Executive Director of Big Red Barn Retreat! With over 15 years of leadership experience and a deep personal connection to the military and first responder community, Mitch brings passion and expertise to our mission. Mitch says, “I feel called to this role, to serve our military and first responder communities.
This isn’t just an opportunity to lead, it’s a responsibility to serve those who have sacrificed so much for all of us. I’m committed to advancing BRBR’s mission to ensure that our heroes, both in the line of duty and after their service, have the training to transform the trauma they face into strength, purpose, and growth. I look forward to growing the partnerships that make this mission possible.”
Upcoming Fundraising Events
Heroes Singer Songwriter Showcase - NEXT WEEK!
Don’t miss your chance to be part of an unforgettable evening of country music and community.
Join us June 13 at Icehouse Amphitheater for the Heroes Singer Songwriter Showcase, featuring combat veteran Scotty Hasting and three talented Warrior PATHH alumni from the Big Red Barn Retreat.
Details: We will have food trucks, soft drinks, beer, & wine available for purchase on-site!
This special concert is presented by Nucor Building Systems and made possible through the Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant, part of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Creative Forces® initiative, in partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance.
Thank You to our Seen Through Horses Fundraising Ambassadors - THERE'S STILL TIME TO DONATE!
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible Seen Through Horses Fundraising Ambassadors, your passion and dedication have brought us closer to our goal of supporting BRBR’s equine programs for veterans and first responders.
Thanks to your efforts, we've made great progress - but there's still time to help us reach our $3,500 goal!
Donations remain open through June 8, and every dollar directly supports equine-assisted psychotherapy and learning sessions that offer powerful tools for connection, self-awareness, and personal growth. Help us finish strong together!
Looking to tap into your creativity this summer? Join board-certified art therapist Mary How for a four-part painting workshop series at the Big Red Barn Retreat!
Over the course of these hands-on Saturday sessions from June 28th - August 9th, you’ll learn the basics of painting, from color theory to finishing techniques—culminating in the opportunity to display your original artwork in the Heroes Art Show at Richland Library Main this November.
Click the image above to learn more about our 2025 Summer Art Workshops!
No experience needed
FREE for Veterans and First Responders
Held at the Big Red Barn Retreat Lounge, Blythewood, SC
EAP provides hands-on, experiential interaction with our horses to receive immediate feedback and engage in creative problem-solving to overcome life's challenges. Clients say “I gained more from one session than I did from years of traditional therapy.”
EAP assists with dealing with anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, relationship struggles and a variety of other issues. Mindfulness, coping skills, and creating a new story are all part of the process.
Don’t miss out - complete our interest form (using the button here) today! EAP services are provided at no cost to veterans and first responders.
Save the date for our next Form Up Friday session on June 27th!
Join us for a chance to connect with horses, find some peace, and discover how they can help with personal growth and well-being. It's a great opportunity to relax, reflect, and learn from these amazing animals!
Make sure to secure your place by reserving your spot today using the button below!
Explore photography as a tool for wellness and capture the best moments of your summer adventures! Veterans and first responders are invited to join us on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month for workshops and field trips designed to help you develop new skills, unleash your creativity, and see the world from fresh perspectives.
No experience or special equipment required!
Click the button below to fill out our interest form today!
Veterans and first responders, let's gather for a cup of coffee, meaningful connections, and great conversation at our Greenville location at Overture Apartments (52 Market Point Dr.) or join us at the Blythewood Coffee Group at the BRBR Log Cabin (830 Lorick Road). Wherever you are, the Big Red Barn Retreat is here to help you find your community, one cup at a time!
Click the buttons here for directions to both locations!
Our Peer-to-Peer Coffee Groups at the BRBR are proudly sponsored by Caliber Coffee, thank you for your support!
Volunteer Opportunities
Discover the Joy of Garden Volunteering at BRBR!
Join us every Thursday from 9:30–11:00 AM and discover the restorative power of gardening and giving back.
Spending time in nature can ease stress, boost your mood, and improve focus—while volunteering offers a meaningful way to connect with others and support your community.
**No pre-registration needed, just come as you are and dig in with us!**
Be Part of Something Special in the Heart of the BRBR Kitchen!
As a Kitchen Volunteer, you’ll work alongside our incredible chefs to help prepare and serve nourishing, home-cooked meals for veterans and first responders participating in their life-changing 7-day Warrior PATHH program at the BRBR Log Cabin. It’s a meaningful way to support their journey—one meal at a time.
Your support helps create a warm, welcoming environment for their journey. Click the button below to sign-up for our upcoming classes!
How to Sign Up:
We have introduced a new volunteer management platform, follow the instructions below to get involved as a volunteer with the Big Red Barn Retreat!
Click the button above.
Create an account.
Select “Warrior PATHH Volunteering.”
Scroll down and choose “Meal Service Volunteering.”
**Please be advised: While we try our best to make sure each volunteer is assigned a time slot, Warrior PATHH Kitchen Volunteering is assigned on a first come, first serve basis. You are not assigned a volunteer time slot until you have received a confirmation email from the Big Red Barn Retreat. Thank you!**
Since July 2024, Garrett has been a dedicated BRBR volunteer, helping in the kitchen during Warrior PATHH and assisting with weekly cabin resets. Through volunteering, he’s found connection, confidence, and a meaningful sense of purpose.
Garrett says volunteering at the Big Red Barn Retreat gives him a place to belong and something to look forward to—even on tough days. He’s made deep connections and continues to show up with heart and humility. Thank you, Garrett, for being part of this mission and for the impact you make each week! ❤️
"By working with others, I’ve made deeper connections that I otherwise would not have made" - Garrett Raley
Thank you, Garrett, for your passion and commitment to our mission!
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