top of page
Veteran and community embrace at Soldiers Heart Retreat

Bringing Military &
Community
Together 

Our Goal, Vision & Commitment

Register & Help Make Change

Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

Upcoming Events

  • From There to Here Exhibit
    From There to Here Exhibit
    Multiple Dates
    Tue, Nov 12
    Twentynine Palms Visitor Center
    Nov 12, 2024, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
    Twentynine Palms Visitor Center , 73484 29 Palms Hwy, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, USA
    Nov 12, 2024, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
    Twentynine Palms Visitor Center , 73484 29 Palms Hwy, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, USA
    The visual art of veterans and their family members, accompanied by the words of the artists, gives form to thoughts and emotions that are often hard to articulate. Often, art can be a catalyst for communication and understanding. This exhibition allows an opportunity for each artist to externalize
  • Mil-Tree Community Garden
    Mil-Tree Community Garden
    Multiple Dates
    Sun, Nov 17
    Joshua Tree Retreat Center
    Nov 17, 2024, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
    Joshua Tree Retreat Center , 59700 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA 92252, USA
    Nov 17, 2024, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
    Joshua Tree Retreat Center , 59700 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA 92252, USA
    Every Sunday from 1-4pm @ The Joshua Tree Retreat Center
  • Writing Workshop
    Writing Workshop
    Sun, Nov 17
    Twentynine Palms Visitor Center
    Nov 17, 2024, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
    Twentynine Palms Visitor Center , 73484 29 Palms Hwy, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, USA
    Nov 17, 2024, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
    Twentynine Palms Visitor Center , 73484 29 Palms Hwy, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, USA
    with Marine Veteran Renee Pickup
  • Writing Workshop
    Writing Workshop
    Multiple Dates
    Mon, Nov 18
    Zoom
    Nov 18, 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM PST
    Zoom
    Nov 18, 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM PST
    Zoom
    Mil-Tree continues our weekly writing workshop on  Zoom. This workshop is open to veterans and civilians alike, facilitated by gifted writer, teacher and Mil-Tree Board Member, Renee Pickup.
  • Art Workshop with Jai Knight
    Art Workshop with Jai Knight
    Sat, Dec 07
    Twentynine Palms Visitor Center
    Dec 07, 2024, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    Twentynine Palms Visitor Center , 73484 29 Palms Hwy, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, USA
    Dec 07, 2024, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    Twentynine Palms Visitor Center , 73484 29 Palms Hwy, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, USA
    Make art with Mil-Tree
  • Screening of Sheepdogs
    Screening of Sheepdogs
    Sat, Dec 14
    Twentynine Palms Visitor Center
    Dec 14, 2024, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Twentynine Palms Visitor Center, 73484 29 Palms Hwy, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, USA
    Dec 14, 2024, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Twentynine Palms Visitor Center, 73484 29 Palms Hwy, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, USA
    A Meyer Stump Production
  • Live from Joshua Tree 2025
    Live from Joshua Tree 2025
    Sat, Jan 25
    Joshua Tree Retreat Center
    Jan 25, 2025, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Joshua Tree Retreat Center , 59700 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA 92252, USA
    Jan 25, 2025, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Joshua Tree Retreat Center , 59700 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA 92252, USA
    Save the date!

Tapestries of Transformation

This program started in 2023 and ended in September 2024, and was made possible by grants from the Inland SOCAL Creative Corps and the California Art Council. Tapestries set out to create a shared world rich in meaning and direction. The multi-pronged program took place in Joshua Tree, California throughout 2024 and included an experiential retreat, community gatherings, multidisciplinary creative workshops, and eight weeks of playmaking, all of which culminated in a community-driven theatrical performance. These elements worked together to build lasting connections and foster a sense of belonging for veterans, active military, artists and the wider local High Desert community of the Morongo Basin. Mil-Tree has created a toolkit for non-profits who seek to replicate this programming in their local communities. It can be found at www.communityloom.org

 

This program

Veteran Stories

Miltree is an exceptional program for the community and its service members. As a former first responder and veteran I can find myself in isolation when I am not feeling up to life. However, Miltree provides an option to living through its many artistic and creative outlets. I never knew that I had the capability to access those parts of me, and it has been eye opening and has breathed a new possibilities into my life. 

 

- Nadia Clark, Captain in Army Reserves and First Responder as Sergeant in Oakland Police Department 

The Tapestry program helped to pull me out of a dark place of isolation and depression that I had been suffering through for some time.  The retreat provided me an opportunity to share in community the stories and military experiences that I had been afraid to speak of.  It allowed me to be vulnerable and express myself through art, as well as to listen empathetically and learn from others.  The workshops, rehearsals, and final performance created space for camaraderie and creative expression that I will forever treasure.

 

- Omar Columbus, Air Force. E-6 

"Mil-Tree has created a platform for veterans in which I can participate, volunteer, or lead life changing workshops. They have found a way to tap into the core of what our veterans need, to be heard and to again feel productive. Through art and open nonjudgmental communications, Mil-Tree's constant  support to me has improved my spirits and helped me remember how much of an impact one positive person or group can make in the lives of others."

- Richard Finn, United States Army Veteran      

"I was truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in the movement workshop with Mil-Tree. This experience helped me to remember my own personal resilience and created a safe space to explore rebuilding trust in our communities"

 

- Sonia Johnson, United States Army Veteran

"We created a safe place. Veterans with civilians right there with us, where it was possible for us to risk writing about the wounds we brought back from war. As we rode on the blessings from our rituals to beauty and grief, I tore off 95 pounds of armor I no longer needed. At long last I finally accepted the gift of welcome home."

- Dr. Scott Pengelly lieutenant in the USS Navy, navigator of the USS Rushmore, in two tours in the Middle East: 1964 - 1970

Introducing Mil-Tree Veteran Project
Mil-Tree

Introducing Mil-Tree Veteran Project

Tapestry of Transformation
Mil-Tree

Tapestry of Transformation

Mil-Tree Community Garden
Mil-Tree

Mil-Tree Community Garden

Woven Windows - A Mil-Tree Program
Mil-Tree

Woven Windows - A Mil-Tree Program

clipart945663.png

THANK YOU
Twentynine Palms
for the 2024
Community Event Grant!

THANK YOU
California Humanities for the 2024 Quick Grant.

California Humanities is a nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

unnamed.png
PAAC logo.png

THANK YOU
Twentynine Palms Public Arts Advisory Comittee for the 2024 - 25 PAAC Grant!

Mil-Tree Award Grant by Starbucks

Support Us

Support a bridge between Veterans, Active Duty Members, and the community.

Mil-Tree Programming Support Creative Expression for Community and Veterans
bottom of page