We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andy William Velez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andy below.
Hi Andy, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
It All Started With One Friend. My impetus for starting IGY6; was helping a good friend who had served in the Army.
He was going through a very tough time and had no one close to relate to. Not to mention his PTSD and physical struggles,
plus the financial issues that he and his family were going through. After that experience I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
And that’s how the IGY6; was born. What we veterans miss is the camaraderie – brotherhood and sisterhood – after we
complete our service, unfortunately, the fight is not always left on the battlefield. We have to overcome daily struggles. From
physical to mental to just needing someone to relate to. It’s a void that is left in our lives after the service. That’s the void that
influenced me to establish this foundation.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, however I spent time in the United States, Virgin Islands and British Islands while in my younger years.
After completing high school in two years, I entered a technical college to become an electrician, and earned my state license at age 18.
I served in the U.S. Navy before returning to college to study digital electronics. Then I graduated from an aviation technical institute. I’ve been an instructor for an aviation technical institute and worked for an aerospace company.
In addition to my duties with The IGY6;, I currently work for a leading global information technology, consulting and business company.
About The IGY6;
The IGY6; Foundation is a registered 501C3 nonprofit that offers an adventure therapy program to help our veterans and emergency responders explore the positive impacts of outdoor adventures. Our adventure weekends are curated to be fun and exciting, yet offer a therapeutic and uplifting experience. The IGY6; Foundation Adventure Therapy Program is also endorsed by Dr. Janell Royster FL#MH19617.
Upon joining The IGY6; Foundation, members will be automatically enrolled into our adventure therapy program based on the answers from the prerequisite form, and they will be placed into one of the four adventure therapy categories: Adrenaline, Wilderness, Relaxation and Experimental. Some of our events are: shark swimming, skydiving, survival training, fishing, rock climbing, white-water rafting, salt cave and cryotherapy to mention a few.
The IGY6; Foundation ensures that anyone that is traveling to our events is provided with lodging accommodations at our Retreat House. This is an alcohol/drug-free environment that offers our members a great chance to help build stronger bonds with fellow IGY6; Foundation members.
This retreat house includes “Trauma Recovery Decompression Protocol” (TRIP), to help relax our members and prepare them for the next days events.
Each member attending one our curated therapeutic events is provided with:
A travel agent to assist with their travel (flight), plans.
$100 towards travel
Retreat house accommodations
Trauma Recovery Intervention Protocol (TRIP)
A Family Feast
and More…
The IGY6; Foundation believes that our families are a major part of our members healing and growth process. Each event is capped off with this special gathering event that is friendly for all ages. Every family feast is for everyone to enjoy and celebrate the completion of the therapeutic adventure event.
Teaching necessary skills to overcome the effects of PTSD, Anxiety, & Depression. Uplifting our members to live more empowered lives. Using exciting outdoor adventures to heal the minds of our of warfighters.
__________
I will like to leave some words of thanks.
First, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to help my brothers and sisters.
Second, I want to thank my wife, Karla, for supporting me from the beginning. I love you!
Third, I want to thank my brothers and sisters members of our foundation for your support and believing in our mission.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Our social media audience, although it is small, I can say that is organic. People follow us because either they heard about us from an experienced member, another follower or google.
Any advice for managing a team?
People with strong relationships are more resilient. They overcome traumatic events more quickly, they are less likely to get sick, and more likely to recover from life threatening illnesses.
Therefore, the stronger the relationship between us, and among our members, the more resilient our organization will be. You foster strong relationships by modeling teamwork, respect, courtesy, and caring.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theigy6foundation.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_igy6_foundation/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_igy6_fndn
- Other: Email: [email protected]