We are an approved 501(c)(3) Not-for-Profit Charity so your donations may be tax deductible.
Start putting in your vacation requests for 2026. We are excited to announce the dates for our 2026 Fall Retreat, Sept 28 - Oct 2. Our registration link is live. Access it here. 👈
Through a grant, we are able to offer this retreat for free. You will be asked for a $100 deposit to hold your space. This will be returned to you upon arrival to the retreat.
While at a peer-support conference, we met several compassionate staff from 988 Lifeline and were impressed by the number of trained counselors available to listen and help. 988 Lifeline is not just for first responders—anyone who is struggling can call. Visit https://988lifeline.org/ to learn more about the services and resources they offer for you or a loved one.
The concept for Responders Retreat came from the wife of a retired firefighter with PTSD incurred in the line of duty. She knows all too well how it impacted her husband at work, at home, and how it impacted their family. After moving to the Northwoods of Wisconsin, she noticed positive changes in his mood, outlook, and social interactions that continue to date. Hoping others could benefit similarly, Responders Retreat was born.
Every hour of every day, first responders in this country respond to our calls for help. Many of us cannot comprehend how those calls impact them and the stress that can build up because of what they see, hear, touch, or smell in the line of duty. Our goal is to offer an environment in which they might reduce some of that stress and feel free to open up about how they are processing that stress without feeling judged.
Tom Howard, founder of First Responder Peer Initiative, talks with Liz Bartholomew, Responders Retreat's founder about our organization.
Christy Warren, from The Firefighter Deconstructed, talks to Joe Bartholomew about how he got PTSD. Joe is Liz Bartholomew's husband. This story is what prompted Liz to create Responders Retreat.
Sam Horwitz and John Salerno interviewed both Joe and Liz Bartholomew. Joe was interviewed to tell his story of getting PTSD. Liz talked about what prompted her to start Responders Retreat. You will love this episode of Badge of Honor.
A local news paper did an article about Liz and the Fall 2023 retreat. Read all about it here.