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[Denise Harrison]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Denise Harrison
Denise.Harrison@projectjason.org

2010 Project Jason “Keys to Healing Retreat” Wraps With
30 Percent Registration Increase, Unique Special Events

August 19, 2010 -- OMAHA, NE -- Information-packed classes, guest speakers, and an uplifting experience were some of the many activities during the 2010 Project Jason Keys to Healing Retreat, held August 13-15 at a remote, scenic retreat center near Ashland, Nebraska. This second annual retreat, open to families who have experienced a missing loved one of any age, had a 30 percent increase in enrollment over the first year, with attendees representing all parts of the country.

“We're so pleased to be able to give our Project Jason Families the gifts of joy, hope, and sometimes, peace, that are difficult to find on one’s own when you must live your life while a loved one is missing,” said Kelly Jolkowski, president and founder of Project Jason. “Everyone left with a smile on their lips and in their hearts. “

Jolkowski said the retreat is about providing strength during this journey, no matter how long it lasts, and also about a sense of community. “Another benefit of the retreat is connecting with others who truly understand their situations because they, too, are living it,” she said.

[table][tr][td][/td][/tr][/table]Classes were taught by internationally-renowned grief and trauma counselor Duane T. Bowers. One of the few therapists specializing in the ambiguous loss of having a missing loved one, Bowers taught attendees about how this unique trauma impacts the mind and body. He also taught families of the missing how to recognize which feelings are normal, and how to recognize, intervene, and reduce the effects of those that are not.

As the Keys to Healing Retreat is for healing the mind, body, and spirit, Ric Chamberlin, a massage therapist specializing in ortho-bionomy explained the principles of this form of body therapy then provided massages, Mary Glassman, R.N., presented anti-stress techniques, and Teresa Monaghen, A.O., a spiritual advisor and national director of the Pro-Sanctity Movement, discussed how people can move from suffering to joy.

A prayer vigil was held at the beautiful Holy Family Shrine church, a glass structure atop a hill offering scenic views. The vigil, which coincided with a stunning sunset, offered prayers for missing persons whose families were present and for an equal number of families not in attendance.



Attendees were treated to a surprise event the last morning, when they were driven to a secret location where a hot-air balloon ride awaited them. Everyone went on the balloon ride, some conquering their fears in order to do so.



Documentary filmmaker Christina Fontana, at the retreat to continue filming her documentary “Project Jason: A Voice for the Missing,” also filmed individual stories of each family whose missing loved one has an open police case. These films will be submitted to America’s Most Wanted to be considered for AMW’s “My Story” segment. (Fontana, as all other guest experts, offered this service free of charge.)

Another benefit of the retreat: free DNA sampling was done by the Omaha Police Dept. for several families in attendance.

Attendees, both those returning and those new, have already expressed positive feedback about the experience and its results.

"This is my safe haven. I've looked forward to coming back all year long," was the comment from one of those returning for the second year. "This is the first positive thing to happen to me in six months," said a first-year attendee.

Plans are already underway for next year’s retreat, which will carry a special theme requested by attendees. The 2011 retreat will feature advanced learning techniques that will help first-time attendees, but will be presented in a new, unique interactive format especially suited to second- and third-year returnees’ continuing personal growth.

Project Jason, which subsidized 40 percent of attendee fees for the 2010 retreat, is asking for donations of needed items from our wish list http://projectjason....g37000#msg37000 for the third annual retreat, scheduled for August, 2011. Monetary donations http://projectjason.org/help.shtml are also welcome in order to reach the goal of offering the retreat 100 percent free next year.

About Project Jason

Project Jason, founded in 2003, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting families of missing persons. The organization offers tactical guidance, emotional support, and hope for families continuing their searches for answers.

The families working with Project Jason benefit from increased public awareness of their missing loved ones through a variety of outreach and educational activities. The families are also guided toward existing resources available to help with their efforts. Project Jason is based in Omaha, Nebraska.

For more information about Project Jason’s objectives, activities and services, go to http://www.projectjason.org