Clear Path for Veterans soldier posing with his dog.

Clear Path for Veterans

Central New York is home to more than 7,000 veterans, signifying a need for support services. This sparked the vision for Clear Path for Veterans.

Since 2011, more than 2.3 million American men and women have been deployed to combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, some more than once. Studies of these returning veterans have shown that many have experienced or continue to experience significant difficulty transitioning back into civilian life upon their return. Central New York is home to more than 7,000 veterans, signifying a need for support services. This sparked the vision for Clear Path for Veterans by co-founders Melissa Spicer, Steve Kinne MD (ret.), MPH Col. (ret.) USAF, and Melinda Sorrentino.

Established in 2011, Clear Path offers a “landing pad” for returning veterans to decompress, reintegrate, and realize wellness. Clear Path’s mission is to help active military, veterans, and their families manage the transition to civilian life through wellness-enhancing programming. These services are delivered at the Clear Path Lodge, located in Chittenango, where veterans and their families are surrounded by acres of natural beauty, providing a safe and nurturing environment to augment the process of restoration and warrior transition.

Clear Path offers a wide variety of activities, including the Warrior Reset Program, which delivers empowering self-help options, and Dogs2Vets, which matches shelter dogs with veterans to aid in developing coping mechanisms for reintegrating into the community.

“Our Dogs2Vets program teaches veterans how to live in the moment, relax, and better communicate, ultimately leading to a healthy transition into civilian life,” said co-founder Melissa Spicer.

Clear Path also hosts a weekly Wednesday Canteen, which offers free lunch, coffee and beverages to veterans in a place where they can relax and socialize; but it doesn’t end there. Clear Path also hosts a program emphasizing culinary therapy with community integration, as well as recreational and agricultural programs that highlight recreational therapy as a means for overcoming disabilities.

A Community Foundation grant helped Clear Path purchase a high-capacity color printer and database system. Additional printing capabilities enable the organization to better educate veterans and the Central New York community about its programs with the use of handouts and promotional materials. The new database management software helps staff organize data into a central location, making it more easily accessible.

“We serve 700 vets a month and the grant has given us the opportunity to reach a lot more veterans, ultimately better serving the community which is what the Community Foundation is all about.” said Spicer. “Our goal is to continue growing and providing more veterans with a place where they feel they belong and are part of a family.”

Related Stories

Blogs March 11, 2023

Reflections: Asking the Important Questions

Danielle Johnson explains how we are working to distribute our discretionary grant dollars equitably.

hand holding growing money
Stories March 7, 2023

SECURE 2.0 Introduces Legacy IRA and a Boost for QCDs

Hear from Jan Lane, CAP®, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, about the three key provisions affecting philanthropists ...

Students sitting around a table using laptops
Stories March 2, 2023

Junior Achievement Supports Students with Virtual Learning Program

Finding a career can feel like a heavy weight on youths’ shoulders and support may ...

Headshot of Rhoda Sikes along with a photo of Onondaga Lake
Blogs February 21, 2023

A Lifetime Commitment to the Community: Rhoda Sikes

Even well after her tenure ended at Heman Street Elementary School, Rhoda Sike's passion for ...

Blogs February 18, 2023

Reflections: Learning and Working From DEI Principles

Ahmeed Turner explains how and why we prioritize with our staff the importance of learning ...

Blogs January 31, 2023

Reflections: Remaking the Mold

Guest writer Angela Outlaw-Matheny from Crewcial Partners explains how her personal experiences influenced her work ...

Two girls talking
News Releases January 30, 2023

More than $1 Million Distributed to Local Nonprofits

The Central New York Community Foundation recently distributed $974,280 in Community Grants and $159,000 in ...

Blogs December 7, 2022

Reflections: Bringing Residents to the Table

Qiana Williams, program officer, shows us how participatory budgeting is helping residents form solutions to ...

hand holding growing money
Publications December 6, 2022

Charitable Giving Using the New York Statutory Power of Attorney By Bill Davies

William Davies, Attorney at Davies Law Firm, P.C., explores how the New York Statutory Power ...

Blogs March 11, 2023

Reflections: Asking the Important Questions

Danielle Johnson explains how we are working to distribute our discretionary grant dollars equitably.

hand holding growing money
Stories March 7, 2023

SECURE 2.0 Introduces Legacy IRA and a Boost for QCDs

Hear from Jan Lane, CAP®, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, about the three key provisions affecting philanthropists ...

Students sitting around a table using laptops
Stories March 2, 2023

Junior Achievement Supports Students with Virtual Learning Program

Finding a career can feel like a heavy weight on youths’ shoulders and support may ...

Headshot of Rhoda Sikes along with a photo of Onondaga Lake
Blogs February 21, 2023

A Lifetime Commitment to the Community: Rhoda Sikes

Even well after her tenure ended at Heman Street Elementary School, Rhoda Sike's passion for ...

Blogs February 18, 2023

Reflections: Learning and Working From DEI Principles

Ahmeed Turner explains how and why we prioritize with our staff the importance of learning ...

Blogs January 31, 2023

Reflections: Remaking the Mold

Guest writer Angela Outlaw-Matheny from Crewcial Partners explains how her personal experiences influenced her work ...

Two girls talking
News Releases January 30, 2023

More than $1 Million Distributed to Local Nonprofits

The Central New York Community Foundation recently distributed $974,280 in Community Grants and $159,000 in ...

Blogs December 7, 2022

Reflections: Bringing Residents to the Table

Qiana Williams, program officer, shows us how participatory budgeting is helping residents form solutions to ...

hand holding growing money
Publications December 6, 2022

Charitable Giving Using the New York Statutory Power of Attorney By Bill Davies

William Davies, Attorney at Davies Law Firm, P.C., explores how the New York Statutory Power ...

View More