Vet Kicks Off Wellness, Arts Program: 'A Purpose Is So Important'

ISLIP, NY —When Islip native Patrick Donahue returned to Long Island after serving in Afghanistan he had "a really tough time." One crucial thing that helped him was getting involved in creative and wellness activities, and now he wants to bring what he's learned to other Long Island veterans.

In honor of Veterans Day, the army veteran organized an entire month of free fitness classes at yoga studios and Brazilian jiu jitsu gyms in Nassau and Suffolk counties through his nonprofit Project 9 Line.

"I wanted to remove all the obstacles and excuses" for people to participate, Donahue explained to Patch.

So the month-long offering involves gyms from as far west as Glen Cove and east to Patchogue, so any interested veteran could find something close by, and with a time thats fits their schedule.

"I wanted everyone to try jiu jitsu," he said, "but some people are injured and can't so we added yoga."

Donahue founded Project 9 Line to create a place veterans could access artistic, creative and wellness programs that he thinks is crucial to mental health after service, and that he says, weren't being offered anywhere else.

"To reintegrate properly, especially after trauma, having a purpose and a mission is so important. And telling our stories, communicating through the arts, for long-term health."

At Project 9 Line's headquarters in Islip, teachers donate their time giving guitar, drum, music and visual arts lessons. Donahue tells Patch they reach dozens of veterans a week.

But he hopes the special November program will connect even more veterans to activities that will benefit their physical and emotional health.

"All the schools were more than happy to open their doors, and maybe gain a member who will get lifelong benefits" from the classes.