In 2021, Lillian and Steve donated 11-acres of their ranch to become the Eagle Oak Retreat Foundation, dedicated to hosting the only Warrior PATHH site in Texas. The Eagle Oak Retreat Foundation’s vision is to create a wellness retreat, providing our heroes with programs that focus on post-traumatic growth, nurturing ways to identify coping mechanisms to struggle well and a place to foster community support to help them find a new purpose and thrive in life after service. I’m excited to sit down and speak with the president of this foundation, Lillian Watanabe, and the Director of Marketing & Communications, Jessica Jessop.
What businesses did you originally operate in Hawaii?
Lillian: Steve and I were born and raised on Oahu, Hawaii. Steve comes from a family of four and he’s the only son, so he was essential in helping his father run the family electrical contracting business, M Watanabe Electrical Contracting Inc. He began learning the trade and business at a very young age, often going with his father to job sites, eager to help his father however he could. He quickly became very passionate about the business, becoming a licensed electrician at the age of 21, then assumed the role as President when his father retired in 1998. Under his leadership for the last 20 years, he has successfully grown the company to 60 employees and thriving electrical contracting business in Hawaii. I wanted to become a teacher because I love helping others and caring for children. I initially hit pause on becoming a teacher to focus on raising my children, and during that time, I assisted with the accounting needs for M Watanabe Electrical Contracting Inc. I quickly found interest in payroll and accounting, which led me to start my own business, Reliable Payroll, in 2005. It was a small payroll company that was aimed at supporting small business owners that depended on trustworthy and reliable service. I eventually sold the company in 2012 and pivoted my time to being a grandmother and enjoying our family ranch in Hawaii.
How did the ranch property in Texas even come up as an opportunity?
Lillian: We have a 2.5-acre horse ranch on the north shore on the island of Oahu and were looking for something larger. Through an acquaintance, we learned about this property in Italy, Texas and decided to purchase the 65-acre ranch in August of 2020, making the official move to Texas in October. After we got the land surveyed, we discovered that most of the land is in the 100-year flood plain and donated the only 11-acres that we could build on to our nonprofit.
Jessica: I also want to share that Steve and Lillian were going to try and embrace retirement at the beginning of this project. Steve is very passionate about horses, and he finally acquired this big ranch he always dreamed of (which happened to be right before the 20th anniversary of 9/11) and then the infomercials surrounding this anniversary highlighted the alarming veteran suicide rates. I know that Steve has an uncle that served in the military, and that they have always been supporters of the military, but it was really that anniversary that made them realize that they could do more to help veterans. Through research, Steve and Lillian learned about the Warrior PATHH program and knew that this is what they were meant to do with their ranch. This is how they were going to give back and make a difference. They chose not to be retired, but to start another life in retirement. To make life more worthwhile and leave a legacy.
Jessica, how did you get involved with Lillian and Steve?
Jessica: I am part of the family through marriage, and when they told me about what they were doing, I was very excited for them. At the time, I was working for another nonprofit which focused on liver disease, so I volunteered and helped them however I could. As I became more involved, I was inspired by what they were doing but more importantly who they were trying to help. As the spouse of a veteran, I knew this is what I wanted to be a part of and with the support of my husband, I left my position in January of 2022, and am now devoted to this project.
What is the layout like for the ranch?
Lillian: The 65-acre ranch is located in a rural part of Texas. The ranch is surrounded by oak trees and it’s such a beautiful, calm setting that will provide a very special place for our guests. The 11-acres is located at the highest elevation of our ranch, with a private roadway leading to the retreat property. The ranch will feature areas for our therapeutic activities to take place, such as equine assisted learning (a segment where we have a horse and human connection) and yoga & meditation, music therapy, along with recreational activities, such as archery and fishing.
Jessica: For the Warrior PATHH program, we are building two bunk houses – one for the PATHH guides and one for the students. They will stay on the retreat property for the duration of the program, which is seven days. We are also building a commercial kitchen in the Iron Kettle Dining Hall and a Round-Up Building that will serve as the staff offices, meeting space and where they will do indoor team building activities. There’s also going to be a labyrinth on the property, which is instrumental in the program. We have two gardens that are going to be located between the Iron Kettle Dining Hall and Round-Up Buildings. Our Heroes Garden is going to serve as a horticulture garden, giving guests an opportunity to experience the farm-to-table concept during their stay. This concept helps reinforce individuals to focus on their wellness – starting with eating habits. It’s important to incorporate the need to implement and maintain a healthy lifestyle, something many veterans and first responders struggle with.
How does the program size work?
Lillian: There are eight students per program, (which can be a blend of military veterans or first responders), but males and females do run separately. If we have enough female applicants, we will have a female dedicated program. The student-to-PATHH guide ratio is low so you really have that personal peer-based training. The PATHH program is followed by 90-days of continued support with everyone who was in their graduating class and over the course of those 90-days, there’s ongoing curriculum through an online platform, Struggle Well.
Is there a one-size-fits-all approach to working with veterans?
Jessica: The idea behind PATHH is that it’s a non-clinical peer-based training program – approaching each individual in a holistic way. There are no more than eight individuals who participate in the program at any given time. It’s meant to be very small and very intimate. Medical therapies and conventional therapies are just not working. This program doesn’t offer a one-size fits all approach to healing, instead, it trains each individual to identify coping mechanisms that work for them. Whether it’s daily journaling, yoga, music therapy, equine assisted learning, or something else. The program is about enabling individuals to disclose their experiences in healthy ways. To help them make peace with their past and to plan for a better future.
Do families attend or is it recommended for them to attend?
Jessica: We have two separate programs. The Warrior PATHH is for individuals only, so it wouldn’t be for the whole family. However, the second program we will offer at the retreat are Family Rest & Reconnection Stays (Family R&R). The invisible and visible wounds our heroes are faced with is contagious and it impacts the entire family. Oftentimes the spouse will come home and there’s disconnect between the family when they return home. This program offers families an opportunity to reconnect, meet and receive support from other families. The Family R&R stays are available to our veteran and first responder families who want to escape the stress and distractions of daily life. Families will utilize the Bunk Houses on the property when the Warrior PATHH program is not in session, including the use of any recreational and therapeutic activities.
Are there any upcoming projects that the organization is excited about?
Jessica: Yes, absolutely. Beginning in 2024, we will expand our Family R&R stays with the addition of 8 Tiny Homes along the tree line on the property – providing privacy and security for our families. The Tiny Homes will also include kitchens and amenities families may use during their stay. This expansion will enable us to help over 140 families experience post-traumatic growth per year. We would love to keep you informed of our progress in building a retreat to host the Warrior PATHH & Family R&R programs. Sign up for our Newsletter & Announcements at EagleOakRetreat.org to receive information on ways to get involved, volunteer opportunities, upcoming programs that will be coming available in 2023, and more.
