Hives for Heroes Helps Veterans Transition Through Beekeeping

Hives for Heroes is a national veteran non-profit organization focusing on honey bee conservation, suicide prevention, and a healthy transition from service.
Through the national network of beekeepers and veterans, we provide purpose, education, and healthy relationships fostering a lifelong hobby in beekeeping.
“Hives for Heroes started in Houston, Texas with a small team of dedicated individuals who have become family,” said Steve Jimenez, a founding mentor in Texas. “We have quickly grown into a nationwide organization seeking to serve the next veteran in their local community. The outreach and support from the beekeepers, veterans, and others interested in supporting has been humbling and greatly appreciated.”
Beekeeping is unique, allowing a beekeeper to suit up, overcome fear, accomplish a goal through process-oriented techniques, and walk away with a sense of accomplishment. This practice can easily translate to their personal and professional lives when dealing with PTS and other traumas from service. While there is often a fear associated with bees, when you are careful and respect them, they will continue with their work.
NewBEE veterans and mentors enjoy the therapeutic process of beekeeping and build healthy relationships in communities across America. After military service, many veterans often fall into depression, unhealthy relationships and addictive behaviors which leads to feeling alone, isolated, or become suicidal. Hives for Heroes strives to connect with them to provide a family-friendly community.
“I was medicating myself with lots of alcohol for quite some time,” said Jason Meeks, a mentor in New Mexico. “I was on a path that was going to end bad. I quit the bottle and took up smoking bees. I just wanted a few hives to play with and now I have around 40.”
Healther Aronson, a NewBEE in Texas, says, “Sometimes it gets difficult to unjumble my thoughts and quiet my mind. Working with the bees helps me recenter myself by focusing on their care and needs instead of the stress of the world around us. Plus, it has become an excellent family activity that we can all take part in together.”
Through the nationwide network of beekeepers, Hives for Heroes is able to connect and empower veterans in their pursuit of purpose and joy. By bettering the lives of individuals, there is a positive impact on their community and ultimately the world. Through honey bee conservation, there is a common goal for NewBEEs, mentors, and volunteers to work towards.
“Both of my grandfathers served in the Army,” said Morgan Hill, a volunteer in Texas. “During college, I was a civilian employee of the Army. I love connecting with and hearing each person’s story of resilience and how they are finding peace through beekeeping. “
Please check out our website, hivesforheroes.com, for ways to get involved and support Hives for Heroes through donations, merchandise sales from our shop, or volunteering!
Veterans interested in beekeeping as a NewBEE, and mentors willing to connect and teach veterans, can apply online at hivesforheroes.com/the-hive. Hives for Heroes is expanding rapidly nationwide and is constantly searching for accomplished beekeeping mentors who have at least 3 years of experience.
Check us out @hivesforheroes on social media and use our hashtags #saveBEESsaveVETS #BEEaHero.