Absolutely not! Our community is constantly growing and includes veterans from all over New Orleans, surrounding parishes, a cohort of Headway participants in San Antonio, plus their families and support systems. There are lots of ways to get involved at Bastion – you can visit our event calendar, inquire about joining a program, or visit us on Mirabeau Avenue to learn more about our community and how we can support you as a veteran. We’re always looking for volunteers so if you have a specific skillset, resource, or interest that could serve other veterans, get in touch with our team.
No. Bastion is here to serve all veterans, regardless of disability status. Many of our programs, services, and aspects of our model of care were created with injured or disabled veterans in mind, especially those navigating layered, complex, and/or invisible wounds. However, our community can have a transformational impact for any veteran regardless of what conditions they may or may not be facing. Our holistic approach and targeted programming promote all kinds of wellness: physical, mental, social, financial, nutritional, and more. No veteran heals alone, and no matter what challenges you encounter in post-military life, Bastion is here to help you through it.
No. Bastion is a nonprofit organization that provides cost-free services, resources, and programming for veterans who live in this residential community, plus other veterans living all across New Orleans who come to Bastion for support. Renaissance Property Group owns the residential units at Bastion and they are managed by Cohen Esrey, a property management company who handles all leasing, property maintenance, onsite repairs, and all other housing related issues or concerns. To contact Cohen Esrey about housing related questions, call 504-283-9726.
No. Residents of the residential community pay rent to Cohen Esrey and are typically on a one-year lease. To learn more about eligibility for low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) units or accepted vouchers, contact Cohen Esrey (504-283-9726).
As long as they would like! Many of Bastion’s current residents have lived in the community since Phase One opened in 2017. Our residential community is multi-generational and we have elder veterans here who aim to age in place with the support of their neighbors and fellow veterans. Some veterans have moved on from their home at Bastion to pursue homeownership, a new career or education, or other life transitions. Whether these veterans relocate near or far, they are always valued members of the Bastion community and always welcome to return to connect with their community, access resources, and seek specialized support.
No. Bastion is an independent living community. Our nonprofit staff works Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, with the exception of some weekend or evening events and programming. As an intentional community, residents at Bastion provide each other with neighborly support and volunteer to help each other with basic tasks. Bastion’s Resident Council also provides support with concerns from community members and hosts resident-led events and initiatives. Veterans requiring full-time support or supervision are not a good fit for this community unless they are able to facilitate their own private 24/7 care.
No. Bastion provides mental health support and wellness offerings like our weekly Sobriety Group which can support veterans on their sobriety journeys, but we are not a treatment facility. Our clinical staff consists of occupational therapists and social workers who serve veterans clients in group and individual settings during normal working hours and cannot respond to after-hours emergencies.
At the Veteran Wellness Center, any veteran can:
Any veteran is always welcome through our doors, and we always welcome our veterans to bring family and friends with them if they are stopping by for a social event. Our formal programs like Headway and the Wellness Intensive include a formal intake and enrollment process before veterans begin participating in the program, so those activities do not permit walk-ins. Our calendar of events indicates which events are open to the public, to veterans + family and friends, to walk-in veterans only, or to formally pre-registered/enrolled veterans.
As a walk-in, there are a few options for utilizing Bastion’s Veteran Wellness Center.
Some events with limited space require an RSVP and will be marked as such in the details of their event calendar listing. Our formal programs like Headway and Wellness Intensive require an intake and enrollment based on your needs and eligibility. Headway is a year-round program with a rolling intake process; Wellness Intensive offers multiple 10-week cohorts per year.
Headway is powered by Wounded Warrior Project. This program specifically serves post-9/11 veterans living with a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or other neurological condition. Visit our Headway page to learn more or contact our Headway team to inquire about eligibility and enrollment.
Veterans have the opportunity to receive individual occupational therapy and set short or long term goals with their occupational therapist. Group programming includes cultural and recreational outings, cooking groups, educational workshops, agricultural experiences, wellness classes, and more.
Headway happens where veteran’s lives happen – at home and in the community. Headway participants meet twice per week for group programming at Bastion, plus a cooking group on Fridays. Group discussions and educational sessions typically happen onsite, but our participants also explore the city through off-site workshops, visits to partner organizations, and sessions with community-based wellness practitioners. Individual work with our occupational therapists can also include off-site activities like grocery shopping, in-home support, or serving as an appointment advocate.
This Wellness Intensive is currently for veterans and active duty military members ages 18 and above who are able to participate in-person at Bastion. We plan to offer future cohorts for family members and caregivers of veterans and service members.
Participants will learn new tools and strategies for managing symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression while building a supportive network within their cohort of participants. Participants will explore the powerful role of the body in healing and mental health management in an open, supportive setting facilitated by Bastion’s social work team.
Participants meet once per week for a psychoeducation group tackling topics like stress management, communicating boundaries, sleep hygiene, and more. Each group session includes a shared meal plus time for connection and discussion amongst participants. Throughout the week, participants have the opportunity to try new mind-body healing modalities at Bastion, with the expectation that each participant utilizes at least one per week. This includes options like yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, massage, sound baths, art sessions, exercise classes, and more.
