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[Kelly]

The Project Jason Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the 5th annual Keys to Healing Retreat will take place on September 27-29, 2013.

Register Here: http://projectjason....ation-form.html

Note: If you have not registered your missing loved one for services with us, you must do that prior to registering for the retreat and then obtain verification of eligibility from us. To register a missing loved one:
http://projectjason....ing-person.html

Keys to Healing: Mind, Body, and Spirit ~  Project Jason Retreat ~ Omaha, NE September 27-29, 2013

When someone you love disappears, you're not handed a manual and given clear cut instructions on what to do and how to do it. Finding qualified help in the midst of what is likely the most traumatic event in your life seems like an impossible task, and especially to seek this help in tandem with the search for the missing loved one. You may find help with the search and investigation, but when the door closes at night, friends have gone home, and you still don't have the answers, you're now alone to attempt to make sense of a senseless event.

It's not making sense, though, and you wonder if the way you're feeling is normal. You question your own sanity as you deal with symptoms such as inability to sleep and memory issues. You may experience a roller coaster of emotions such as guilt, fear, anger, anxiety, and just plain numbness. No one truly understands, and you doubt your ability to go on. You want the nightmare to end, but another day begins in the same way. Is there help for you in your unique and life-altering situation?

The professionally trained staff at Project Jason know the difficulties we face in this situation. We know the emotions and the frustrations. None of us knows how long this journey will last, so it's important that we do all that we do what we can to keep ourselves mentally, physically, and spiritually strong for the day we have our answers. These are the Keys to Healing, the keys to help you face each day without your missing loved one.

Your well-being is the most important element in what we do: support. The Keys to Healing retreat, and all it offers, is the best life training offered anywhere for persons living with the ambiguous loss of a child or adult loved one. In addition to the training sessions, you'll meet with other families who know and understand how you feel. You'll be in a safe and private environment that nurtures your mind, body, and spirit and gives you to tools to move forward in a manner healthy for you, while continuing in the search for your loved one.


You will find peace and camaraderie unlike anywhere else at the Swanson Center.

Sessions will be conducted by professional instructors, including a licensed counselor. As the Keys to Healing Retreat is for healing the mind, body, and spirit, past retreats have featured massage therapists, personal trainers and nutritionists, demonstrations of anti-stress techniques, and spiritual advisers. The 2013 weekend will treat attendees to professionals with similar unique mind, body, and spirit specialties.

As in years past, the 2013 retreat will feature different curriculum format that provides the Keys to Healing information to all attendees, but also creates a new experience with expanded learning for past attendees. Class descriptions and pricing will be announced at a later date.

Our core instructor is Duane Bowers, LPC. We believe, and past attendees agree, that Duane is the most knowledgeable counselor in the country in respect to understanding the unique emotional issues families of missing persons encounter. Among his many services to families dealing with grief is providing support to families of abducted, missing, exploited and murdered children through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and to families of missing persons of any age through Project Jason's Healing Harbor. Bowers is the author of "Guiding Your Family Through Loss and Grief" and "A Child is Missing: Providing Support for Families of Missing Children."


Come to a place where everyone understands without having to explain a thing, and often, words are not needed.

The Keys to Healing will again take place at the Swanson Center, a spacious, comfortable, and scenic retreat center near Omaha, NE. The entire retreat center has been booked to ensure the most private and peaceful of experiences for the attendees. The grounds around the center are lovely and quiet, allowing you to find some peace, away from the hustle and bustle of life. You can take a walk in the woods or gaze upon the reflection of the trees in the nearby lake. You can sit uninterrupted and reflect in an outdoor chapel. It's up to you.


This event is weather-dependent and not guaranteed to occur.

Special Event: In 2013, we're bringing back the free tethered balloon rides for our attendees. In 2010, we surprised them on Sunday morning of the retreat with this very meaningful event. We look forward again to more joyous moments!

Eligibility: The retreat is open to immediate family members (spouse, biological parent(s), legal guardians, adult siblings, adult children and the spouses of all mentioned) of still missing persons whose cases are listed with law enforcement agencies in North America and who have registered with us for services. The attendee needs to be age 18 or older. (Registration will open in early 2013.)

If you haven't registered for services with us in the past, click here first: http://projectjason....ing-person.html

Have questions? Ask us at assistance@projectjason.org

I have been blessed during the ten years since Jason's disappearance to have had a good support system, faith for the journey, and training to gain an understand of what is happening inside me and how to handle a variety of situations as they come along. I have learned to laugh again and experience joy, while at the same time keeping the search for my son active. I could not possibly box up what I learned and send it to you, but I can give it to you in the Keys to Healing retreat.

So, this is my gift to you from me and Project Jason. I hope you'll be able be able to join us. 

Kelly Murphy, Mother of Missing Jason Jolkowski
President and Founder,
Project Jason
www.projectjason.org

All missing persons are loved by someone, and their families deserve to find the answers they seek in regards to the disappearance.

Group photos from past retreats:

Project Jason Keys to Healing Retreat 2012

[b]Project Jason Keys to Healing Retreat 2011

http://www.youtube.c...player_embedded
As you can see by watching the faces in this video, the 2009 retreat was a success. Now we need the public's help to provide this service to more families. http://www.projectja...rg/retreat.html

Keys to Healing video filmed by Christina Fontana, director of "Project Jason, A Voice for the Missing".
http://voiceforthemissing.com/


Click on the photo above to view a photo slideshow from the 2010 retreat


Click on the photo above to view a photo slideshow from the 2009 retreat

Information and Class Descriptions from the 2012 retreat: http://projectjason....p?topic=11580.0

Information and class descriptions from the 2011 retreat: http://projectjason....hp?topic=9406.0

Information and class descriptions from the 2010 retreat: http://projectjason.....php?topic=9324

Information and class descriptions from the 2009 retreat: http://projectjason....hp?topic=2893.0


If you haven't registered your missing loved one for services, click here: http://projectjason....ing-person.html

Have questions? Ask us at assistance@projectjason.org

[Kelly]

Pricing for the Project Jason Keys to Healing 2013 Retreat

The pricing is done on a per person per room basis, as that is how we are charged by the retreat center. As the center has a limited number of rooms, we encourage attendees in the same family to share a room if possible so that we can keep the retreat open for as many families as possible. As mentioned, we are paying a $75 per room subsidy to help keep the costs down so more families can attend. The prices are in bold below.

Rates:

1 person in a room  $265.00 - $75.00 Project Jason subsidy= $190.00 
2 persons in a room $398.00 - $75.00 Project Jason subsidy= $323.00  ($162 per person)
3 persons in a room $521.00 - $75.00 Project Jason subsidy= $446.00  ($149 per person)
4 persons in a room $600.00 - $75.00 Project Jason subsidy= $525.00  ($131 per person)

If you have more than 5 persons who will be sharing, ask for pricing. The rooms can hold 3 queen size beds, so it is possible to have up to 6 people in a room.

Day Rate: $35.00 per day (no subsidy)
This fee (the Day Rate) covers the retreat classes, snacks, and the noon meal. No transportation is included in this price. This rate would be applicable to persons who are traveling on their own (via automobile) to the retreat, and have their own lodging.


What the Retreat fee covers: Your retreat fees cover transportation to and from the airport, your room at the retreat center, all classes, talks, related activities, and meals. The retreat center features a free 24 hour hospitality center with a wide variety of snacks and beverages, including coffee, juices, soft drinks, fruit, popcorn, candy, and ice cream, so there is no need to bring money for expensive vending machines.

Note for those making flight arrangements: The retreat begins Friday afternoon at approximately 3:30pm and ends Sunday at approximately 1:30pm. The Omaha airport is about a 35-40 minute drive from the retreat center. Given the need to arrive at the airport one hour prior to your flight, the suggested outgoing flight time for Sunday is 3pm or after. For your incoming flight the best time frames for arrival are 11:30am through no later than  2pm. These times may not work for you and are suggestions to get the most of time with us, and not miss one precious moment. We can check in on Friday, begining at noon, and must be out of the facility by 3pm on Sunday. 

[Kelly]

Core Classes for the 2013 Key to Healing Retreat V:

This years theme is inspired by the Serenity Prayer. Since 1936, this prayer has aided millions in situations that may have seemed hopeless. It's given guidance, strength, encouragement, and hope, all needed by families of missing persons as they navigate through what is likely the most difficult and frightening time of their lives.

Core classes dissect the prayer in a way reflective of what families of missing persons experience, and will provide meaningful and practical information that will have a positive impact on attendees' lives long after the retreat ends.

Serenity Prayer

God grant me the SERENITY to
accept the things I cannot change;
COURAGE to change the things I can;
and WISDOM to know the difference.

Class Descriptions:

Me
Before we gain an understanding of how we can accept what we cannot change, have the courage the change what we can, and wisdom to know the difference, we need to understand the changes that occur within our bodies and minds as a result of having a loved one disappear.

Accept
Attendees discuss the aspects of having a missing loved one that they cannot change. Acceptance is defined in tandem with how each attendee might cope with their new reality.

Change
Practical exercises for stress management are presented along with discussion of how the individual can find balance within the search and daily life.  Subtopics include frustration with law enforcement, changed relationships, dealing with the public, the difficulty of the search and passage of time.

Courage
This class takes a look at hope, fear, and the future. Various outcomes are discussed with suggestions on how to cope in each scenario.  Attendees learn how to make the connection when faced with things out of their control to their own reactions and actions and the positive choices available.

Wisdom to Know the Difference
A discussion of how wisdom is achieved will lead to attendees looking at the wisdom they have already acquired, and where in their lives more wisdom is necessary.

Serenity
In this summary class, attendees share what they've learned and will take home from the retreat. Additional exercises and means to find peace with oneself, including meditation, are shared. 

[Kelly]

What Attendees Have to Say

The families who have attended the retreat will tell you in their own words how life was for them and how the retreat helped them know they can go on.


"On June 26, 2007 my entire life changed, my 26 year old son disappeared.  This began a new chapter that altered the path of my life completely.  Through the beginning days of darkness I struggled, and with the instruction from Law Enforcement that they have limited resources and that they would do all they could but that the family must do the rest ringing in my head."

"Every aspect of the retreat had impact on me personally, and I took away from it tools that will help me over the coming months and years to not only cope, but to move forward with more strength, health and armed with knowledge that not only I can use, but that I can share with others to help in their walk."

Christy Davis, Mother of missing Michael Austin Davis

“I feel as though the Keys to Healing Retreat made such a major impact on my life and family!  Before the retreat I was going down a negative and destructive path.  I was devastated by the loss and presumed death of my loved one.  Because of the retreat, I have started making better choices, and my husband and I are working on our marriage instead of being determined to end our marriage.  I felt so alone and afraid…I felt incapable of dealing with the pain and emotion of losing my loved one.  Because of the retreat, I feel like my family is on the road to healing….although I don’t know when, or even if this traumatic event will end…I know that my husband, child, and I will survive and hopefully even thrive.”

Carolyn Johnson, Mother of missing Clinton Nelson

“During the early days of my daughter’s disappearance, I was frantic for something to do, or someone to connect with who could help us. The only resources I was finding were located in Australia!  I think I gave up. I was struggling personally, not only with my guilt and fears for my missing child, but also with cancer. The latter two are history, but my missing child is always there. The few people that I could share with were helpless and sometimes cruel, so I just closed up. I had no money for reward or a trip to the state where she disappeared, and I just got angrier and angrier!

Through the experience of the retreat I had to come to terms with that anger and frustration.  Yes ‘dumping all this’ may not resolve my daughter's fate but the process certainly was enlightening.  I didn’t realize how destructive my silence and anger were. Also, the strength of the other families affected me profoundly.  The education at the retreat reinforced what I was experiencing but also provided insight and constructive things I can practice to become a better ‘me’, even a ‘me not knowing what has become of my child’.” 

Malinda Hoyt, Mother of missing Emillie Hoyt

"I have spent the last 5 years with severe depression, feelings of guilt, and long stretches of insomnia. You see, when you have a missing child, spouse, or loved one, you have no answers you feel helpless and all alone. I took myself away from the entire world and I buried myself in a world where no one could touch or reach me, not even myself. I became my own worst enemy. I hated the person(s) responsible for taking my little girl away from me, and I hated the police department for not doing enough. Most of all I hated myself because I wasn't able to search for her financially or mentally.

The Keys to Healing Retreat was like the weight of the earth being lifted off my shoulders. I saw others just like me who had been through the same pain, the same loss and the same fears. I felt as if I had awoken from a very long sleep. I even looked in the mirror for the first time in a very long time and I saw a person who wanted to live...I felt rebirth, a second chance back to live after attending the retreat. I can now communicate with the children where as before I only existed with them when necessary, and then I locked myself away in my room. I ask if you read this please help, look deep into your heart and soul and remember that this too could happen to you or someone you know.”

Elizabeth Rivera, Mother of missing Elsha M. Rivera

“We were helpless when Jesse disappeared, and our lives seemed to be over. Project Jason helped us see that wasn't true. At the retreat, we found out it is okay to smile and to laugh and to appreciate what we have. Yes, we miss Jesse, but we were able to see that he would not want us to live lives of darkness and sorrow.  And we learned about the resources that can help us look for Jesse while still being a part of all the good things that are a part of this world.  Just recently, friends from church lost their son in an auto accident.  We are now ready to help these people as we were helped.”

Don and Donna Ross, Parent of missing Jesse Ross

[Kelly]

A traditional event during the Keys to Healing retreat is the Vigil of Hope. This Saturday evening vigil gives the attendees a special time to honor their missing loved ones in the most beautiful and serene of settings. We are pleased that this year's vigil will take place at the Holy Family Shrine, just down the interstate from the retreat center.



To learn more about the Holy Family Shrine, please see http://www.hfsgretna.org/



Project Jason thanks the shrine staff for the use of their facility for this event.

[Kelly]

Music at the Vigil of Hope, held during the Keys to Healing retreat, will be provided by Jaime Eschliman of Nebraska Wedding Music

Jaime Eschliman, of Nebraska Wedding Music, is a nationally 5-star rated wedding & event musician in the Midwest. She is honored to be able to contribute to the atmosphere at our candlelight vigil on Saturday night. Visit her website www.nebraskaweddingmusic.com or her facebook page: www.facebook.com/nebraskaweddingmusic

[Kelly]

Secondary Classes for 2013

These classes are taught by local professionals and provide valuable information for Keys to Healing attendees.

A Great Calm

A Great Calm is an uplifting and authentic 45-minute presentation touching on simple choices we can make to improve our physical, emotional and spiritual health no matter what type of stress we may be experiencing in our lives. Stirring music is intertwined with current therapeutic information, humor, and priceless scripture-based doctrines of hope. Retreat attendees may submit questions in advance to Jaime for the Q&A which will follow her presentation.  NebraskaWeddingMusic@gmail.com.

Speaker Biography:

Jaime Eschliman is a 4-year seminary graduate with several years of teaching experience and currently is the adult gospel doctrine teacher in her church. She is the owner of Nebraska Wedding Music and is honored to be invited to share an hour or two with the Keys to Healing 2013 Retreat attendees.
 
Workshop: Healing in Art

Attendees will create a reflection of their missing loved one through simple art and will learn how art can facilitate healing and better health. Use of other types of creativity, such as writing, and music, as a way to a more balanced journey will be discussed.

 Healthy Living

This workshop will include a mix of nutrition and stress management along with effective tips for exercise, detoxification and overall health and wellness tips and techniques for a healthy body and mind.
 


Speaker Biography

Dr. Wiese is the owner of Life Source Chiropractic. One of the largest wellness based practices in Nebraska. He is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic and has Adjusted World Class Athletes in USA Wrestling, Weightlifting, and at Crossfit events. He is a Certified Level 1 USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach.Along with working with athletes, he also works with many pregnancy’s and children. Dr. Wiese is “Webster Technique Certified” for all expecting mothers and he is proficient in many pediatric adjusting techniques. He is one of the few doctors in the state of Nebraska that is proficient in DAN (DEFEAT AUTISM NOW) protocol. Dr. Wiese is an avid speaker in our community and state. He is well known for his passion and enthusiasm for helping people realize their true potential in health and wellness. He was awarded a Resolution 9/22/09 by the Board of County Commissioners for the efforts in assisting the Douglas County Healthy Directions Wellness Committee in making the County’s wellness initiatives a success.
 
Additional Information: http://www.lifesourc....com/index.html
 
Using Technology in the Search for Your Missing Loved One

Project Jason webmaster and technology expert Jeff Messick demonstrates numerous techniques and internet tools which can help families of the missing in the search for their loved one. Topics include email usage, internet searches, and features of the Project Jason website. Kelly Murphy, president and founder, explains how the information presented can aid in the search for the loved one and the betterment of the family members well-being.

[Kelly]

And what everyone loves: Free massages!

We're grateful to Darcy for giving of her time and talents to help our attendees feel pampered.

 

Afternoon Massage Therapist:



Darcy Rice is a licensed massage therapist at Massage Envy Spa at Legacy. She was very touched by the mission of Project Jason and is looking forward to bringing her healing touch to the retreat this year. She has performed more than 400 hours of massage so far this year and her clients see her for everything from stress relief to chronic pain.

To schedule an appointment with Darcy at Massage Envy Spa at Legacy call 402-898-3689. For more information about Massage Envy Spa visit our website, www.massageenvy.com.

[Kelly]

Project Jason thanks Rich Jaworski of Emphoria Balloons for providing the special event for the 5 year anniversary of the Keys to Healing retreat.

Retreat attendees will be treated to a sunrise tethered balloon ride on Sunday, weather permitting.

 

Rich Jaworski has flown over 2,500 hours in his 40 years as an active hot air balloon pilot and shared the joy of ballooning with over 3,500 passengers of all ages.

Through ballooning activities he has raised over $350,000 in donations for charities and community organizations.

Honors and Achievements:

• World Record Holder, AX-4 & AX-5 Duration, 23 hours 11 minutes and AX-4 Distance, 250 miles.
• Montgolfier Diploma Honoree–2007 World’s Most Significant Hot Air Balloon Flight.
• Captain of the 2001 U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Team Championship team.
• Balloon Federation of America Long Jump Winner, AX-7, 1997 & 2000. Greatest distance ever achieved in an AX-7, 333 miles.
• Winner of the National Balloon Classic in Indianola, IA, 1989 & 1991.
• BFA Distinguished Aeronaut.
• President of the Nebraska Balloon Club.

More Information: http://euphoriaballoons.com/