Editor, Manteca Bulletin,
Although this letter comes to you from Yountville, California, it is very much of local interest - and importance - to your readers.  The Pathway Home, a non-profit residential treatment program for our nation’s “New Warriors” who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and who suffer from combat-related stress, PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury, has recently helped a resident of Manteca re-adjust to civilian life after the traumas of war.

 The Pathway Home is neither a federal nor state-run institution, but rather an independent, privately-funded, non-profit organization.  Since it opened in January 2008, it has treated nearly 200 warriors and many of their family members from around the country using innovative, state-of-the-art techniques that incorporate interaction with the surrounding community.  In addition to receiving plaudits from Veterans Affairs officials and mental health specialists, The Pathway Home has – most importantly – been acclaimed as a true life-saver by the very soldiers and marines who have gone through the program.

The Pathway Home has been operating on the basis of a private grant, but this money is running out, and the program’s survival depends on private donations to fund the clinical staff and treatment programs.  Making our wounded warriors whole again is everyone’s responsibility.  Donations can be made through the official website, www.thepathwayhome.org, - where more information about the program can also be found.  Donations by check can be made out to and mailed to The Pathway Home, PO Box 3930, Yountville, CA 94599.