Facebook changed some things around and it became more difficult to donate to your favorite Veteran operated nonprofit, REFORGED.
3. Donate via Paypal. Go to this link. Be careful if you search as there is another preexisting Reforged on Paypal, not associated with us. On Paypal we are reforgedorg. https://paypal.me/reforgedorg
4. You can visit our website and click any donate button. It will automatically take you to the Reforged.Org paypal page.
5. Contact Steven Holden to arrange to donate hunting activities or use of hunting land for our guided hunting trips through our program Veteran Predator Hunters. you can visit the VPH page at https://www.facebook.com/vphoutdoors/
6. We are always looking for help with T-shirts, forging equipment, and equipment to help our disabled Vets and First Responders forge more independently. If there is any way you would like to help, contact us by email- [email protected].
WHO WE ARE
We are a Veteran operated nonprofit geared towards helping Veterans and first responders craft a knife and forge connections.
Master Sergeant (Ret.) Chad Caylor, deployed to Iraq twice as a light infantry Airborne medic. He returned from his second deployment with PTSD and life altering physical injuries. He sought mental health care despite the stigma that surrounds the decision to seek help. His journey greatly influences the Caylor family’s passion and commitment to Reforged.
Marilyn Caylor offers free counseling to Veterans and their families in her private practice. She is earning a Ph.D., completing a dissertation on neurofeedback treatment for PTSD, and seeking certification in neurofeedback to provide more treatment options for trauma survivors. Reforged is seeking funding to acquire additional counselors and expand services at no cost to Veterans.
Chad and his family started a small blacksmith shop in their home in February 2018 under the mentorship of a Master Blacksmith. Since then, they mentored Veterans and their family members, teaching them how to transform a billet of steel into a custom knife. In the casual environment of the forge, amongst others who shared similar experiences, the Veterans naturally gravitated toward difficult to discuss topics and shared skills they use to cope. In combat, our Veterans risk their lives for each other, but often feel isolated when they come home. Though they have returned from combat physically, they carry many invisible wounds within them. Chad noted he promoted mental health treatment for PTSD with many of the Veterans who forged a knife. The students relate their experiences to the transformation of the steel through heat and hammer blows. Students are taught how the steel may seem like it cannot withstand the stress, but with dedication, work, and assistance, a piece of steel becomes something beautiful and useful.
After refining the idea of offering free knifemaking classes to veterans, Chad presented his knife making class with the mental health care concepts integrated into the curriculum to two new students. These Veterans were so passionate about what he presented, they encouraged us to start a nonprofit and committed to being on the board once we established the organization. They shared their experience with others through social media and within days Reforged received many requests and referrals from Veterans to attend.
Caylor Forge provides all safety equipment and materials at several hundred dollars per student. They feed the students and invite them to stay at their home. Chad takes unpaid time off to teach the classes. Our goal is to always offer free classes and counseling to Veterans. They also extend the free classes to First Responders. Reforged is committed to purchasing equipment to better serve our Veterans with physical disabilities. We are seeking a hydraulic press so disabled Veterans can forge a knife with more autonomy.
Several members of the Veteran community and others who support Veteran causes have committed their time and resources to this program. Some supporters of Reforged purchased supplies for others to attend the class. Some students offered to mentor the next set of students. Several generous supporters contributed equipment. A spouse of a Veteran offered to help seek grant funding. They greatly appreciate the generous donors who make this program possible.
