Carey Institute for Global Good to Host Retreat Weekend for Songwriting With: Soldiers

Event gives returning soldiers and veterans a way to cope with combat stress and returning home through song writing

RENSSELAERVILLE, NY – The Carey Center for Global Good will be welcoming SongwritingWith:Soldiers for a weekend long retreat beginning on August 23. SongwritingWith: Soldiers pairs up service members with professional songwriters to write songs based on their combat experience and the difficulties they faced upon returning home. The unique natural setting of the Carey Center provides intimate surroundings that will foster connections; enabling relaxation and creativity for these veterans.

“The goal of the SongwritingWith:Soldiers retreat is to provide stress relief and healing for soldiers who are suffering from combat stress and returning home,” said Carol Ash, President of the Carey Center for Global Good. “We are honored to host the men and women who have given so much for our country, and hope that their songs will build public awareness to the needs of our returning soldiers and veterans.”

Created by Darden Smith in 2011, SongwritingWith:Soldiers was formed with the goal of helping active duty and veteran U.S. soldiers returning from combat in Afghanistan and Iraq by telling their story through song. Participants are registered with the American Society for Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and are considered co-writers of their songs, which will be recorded during the retreat.

“Most have seen battle. Many have lost friends. With the number of military suicides rising — up to 22 per day — we are more determined than ever to reach more service men and women with our program,” said SongwritingWith:Soldiers Executive Director Mary Judd. “We have seen the healing effects when soldiers tell their stories and we look forward to providing this opportunity to more service men and women.”