The Results Are In
We measure what we do — and we publish what we find.
At GratitudeAmerica, accountability is not a talking point. It is a practice. Every program we deliver is evaluated using validated instruments, and our outcomes are tracked, analyzed, and reported publicly — because the veterans and donors who trust us deserve nothing less.
What follows is the most current data available from both of our flagship programs. The numbers are real. The methodology is rigorous. And the stories behind them are even more powerful than the statistics.
Warrior PATHH — 2025 Outcomes
Data from 1,213 participants across the Avalon Action Alliance Warrior PATHH network in 2025, including GratitudeAmerica participants. Measured across four collection points using validated clinical instruments and proprietary measures in three domains: Symptom Reduction, Quality of Life Improvement, and Post-Traumatic Growth.
Symptom Reduction
58%
Reduction in PTSD Symptoms (PCL-5)
58%
Reduction in Depression (DASS-21)
54%
Reduction in Anxiety (DASS-21)
49%
Reduction in Stress (DASS-21)
35%
Reduction in Sleep Disturbances (ISI)
41%
Improvement in Trauma Resolution
Participants' average PTSD scores fell well below the clinical threshold after the program — and remained there at the 90-day endpoint.
ABOUT THIS DATA
Warrior PATHH outcomes are measured using a combination of publicly available clinical instruments and proprietary measures across four collection points: upon acceptance into the program, upon arrival at the 5-day intensive, at the conclusion of the intensive, and at the conclusion of the 90-day program.
Instruments used: PCL-5, DASS-21, PHQ-9, WEMWBS, GSE, PTGI-X, Cantril Self-Anchoring Striving Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and Trauma Resolution Item.
Warrior PATHH was designed and developed by Boulder Crest Foundation. GratitudeAmerica is one of 11 authorized delivery sites within the Avalon Action Alliance. Dr. Richard Tedeschi serves as lead researcher for Warrior PATHH outcome measurement.
Assessments are not administered or interpreted by licensed mental health care or medical professionals. Results are for informational purposes only and are not used to diagnose any condition. Individual results may vary.
500+ warriors transformed through GratitudeAmerica's Warrior PATHH programs since 2019. Under 1% dropout rate.
Quality of Life Improvement
35%
Improvement in Overall Mental Wellbeing (WEMWBS)
51%
Improvement in Current Life Satisfaction (Cantril Ladder)
15%
Improvement in Self-Efficacy (GSE)
ABOUT THIS DATA
Warrior PATHH outcomes are measured using a combination of publicly available clinical instruments and proprietary measures across four collection points: upon acceptance into the program, upon arrival at the 5-day intensive, at the conclusion of the intensive, and at the conclusion of the 90-day program.
Instruments used: PCL-5, DASS-21, PHQ-9, WEMWBS, GSE, PTGI-X, Cantril Self-Anchoring Striving Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and Trauma Resolution Item.
Warrior PATHH was designed and developed by Boulder Crest Foundation. GratitudeAmerica is one of 11 authorized delivery sites within the Avalon Action Alliance. Dr. Richard Tedeschi serves as lead researcher for Warrior PATHH outcome measurement.
Assessments are not administered or interpreted by licensed mental health care or medical professionals. Results are for informational purposes only and are not used to diagnose any condition. Individual results may vary.
500+ warriors transformed through GratitudeAmerica's Warrior PATHH programs since 2019. Under 1% dropout rate.
Post-Traumatic Growth
65%
Overall Improvement in PTG Scores
78%
Growth in Deeper Relationships
77%
Growth in Spiritual and Existential Change
64%
Growth in New Possibilities
60%
Growth in Personal Strength
39%
Growth in Appreciation for Life
PTG is measured using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory — Expanded (PTGI-X), the gold standard instrument developed by Dr. Richard Tedeschi and colleagues.
ABOUT THIS DATA
Warrior PATHH outcomes are measured using a combination of publicly available clinical instruments and proprietary measures across four collection points: upon acceptance into the program, upon arrival at the 5-day intensive, at the conclusion of the intensive, and at the conclusion of the 90-day program.
Instruments used: PCL-5, DASS-21, PHQ-9, WEMWBS, GSE, PTGI-X, Cantril Self-Anchoring Striving Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and Trauma Resolution Item.
Warrior PATHH was designed and developed by Boulder Crest Foundation. GratitudeAmerica is one of 11 authorized delivery sites within the Avalon Action Alliance. Dr. Richard Tedeschi serves as lead researcher for Warrior PATHH outcome measurement.
Assessments are not administered or interpreted by licensed mental health care or medical professionals. Results are for informational purposes only and are not used to diagnose any condition. Individual results may vary.
500+ warriors transformed through GratitudeAmerica's Warrior PATHH programs since 2019. Under 1% dropout rate.
500+ warriors transformed through GratitudeAmerica's Warrior PATHH programs since 2019. Under 1% dropout rate.
Warrior PATHH Is Backed by Peer-Reviewed Science
In 2026, a study examining Warrior PATHH outcomes was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders — one of the leading peer-reviewed publications in its field. The study, conducted by researchers at Baylor University in collaboration with Boulder Crest Foundation, compared Warrior PATHH participants against a waitlist control group using a quasi-experimental retrospective design.
GratitudeAmerica participants were among those included in the study population.
Key findings from the research:
Warrior PATHH participants showed a 56% decrease in PTSD symptoms compared to a 12% increase among those on the waitlist — a statistically significant difference (p < .001).
PTG scores increased by 113% among program participants compared to 23% among the waitlist group — demonstrating that the program produces growth far beyond what occurs without intervention.
Significant improvements were found across all three domains of the DASS-21 — anxiety, depression, and stress — with reductions that were both statistically significant and clinically meaningful.
The study concluded that Warrior PATHH shows promise as an effective program for veterans who experience PTSD symptoms, particularly those who have not fully responded to conventional evidence-based treatments.
Renner-Wilms S., Corlett C., Hood A., Scheffrahn K., Tedeschi R., Moore B., Greene T., Kinman J., Elkins G. "Outcomes from a posttraumatic growth-oriented program among veterans: A quasi-experimental retrospective study."
Journal of Affective Disorders, 392 (2026) 120234. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.120234
Military Support Retreats — 2025 Outcomes
Data from 214 voluntary post-retreat survey respondents across 11 retreats serving 300+ veterans and Growth Companions in 2025. Survey administered anonymously via online form at the conclusion of each retreat.
100%
Rated the Experience Beneficial
97%
Would Recommend to Another Veteran
82%
Reported a Completely New Outlook on Life
23%
Increase in Willingness to Share Past Struggles
That last figure matters deeply. When warriors open up to the people they love most, families begin to heal together. The 23% increase in willingness to share past struggles was the single largest outcome movement recorded across all MSR measures in 2025.
Additional 2025 Findings
Participants also reported meaningful improvements across several additional measures at the conclusion of the retreat:
46%
Increase in Motivation to Seek Further Mental Wellness Support
92%
Rated Their Emotional Connection With Their Growth Companion as Mostly or Highly Connected After the Retreat
96%
Moved to Likely or Very Likely to Share Past Struggles After the Retreat
90%
Rated Themselves Likely or Very Likely to Step Outside Their Comfort Zone After the Retreat
The 46% increase in motivation to seek further support — including programs like Warrior PATHH — reflects MSR's role as a meaningful entry point into a longer growth journey for many veterans and their families.
ABOUT THIS DATA
MSR outcomes are measured via anonymous voluntary survey administered at the conclusion of each retreat by GratitudeAmerica staff. The 2025 dataset includes 214 respondents from a total attendance of approximately 300 participants across 11 retreats. Response rate was approximately 71%. Consistent results have been observed across multiple years of MSR programming.
Survey questions measure emotional connection, willingness to share past struggles, comfort zone expansion, motivation to seek further support, overall experience rating, anticipated lasting impact, and likelihood to recommend.
Consistent Results Across Multiple Years
The 2025 outcomes above are not an outlier. GratitudeAmerica has measured participant feedback since the inception of both programs, and the results have been consistent.
In 2024, a separate cohort of 50 MSR participants produced nearly identical findings: 100% rated the experience Beneficial or better, 98% said they would recommend the retreat to another veteran, and participants showed significant improvements in emotional connection, willingness to share, and motivation to seek ongoing support.
For Warrior PATHH, multiple peer-reviewed studies have now confirmed consistent outcome ranges across different participant cohorts and years — with PTSD symptom reductions ranging from 49% to 59%, PTG score increases ranging from 54% to 65%, and depression reductions ranging from 58% to 67% across published research.
These are not the results of a single good year. They are the sustained record of a program that works.
How We Are Evaluated
GratitudeAmerica submits to independent evaluation and has earned the highest available ratings from every major nonprofit accountability organization that has reviewed us.
Charity Navigator — Four-Star Rating
The highest rating awarded by America's largest
independent nonprofit evaluator, reflecting exceptional
financial health, accountability, and transparency.
GuideStar — Platinum Seal of Transparency
The highest level of recognition from Candid, the
leading source of nonprofit information.
GreatNonprofits — Top-Rated Nonprofit
The only people's choice nonprofit award, earned
through direct testimonials from donors, volunteers,
and the people served by the program.
87.6% Program Expense Ratio
Of every dollar donated to GratitudeAmerica, 87.6 cents
goes directly to programming. This is well above
the industry standard and reflects our commitment
to maximizing impact.
U.S. Department of Labor — HIRE Vets Platinum Medallion
Federal recognition for our investment in recruiting,
employing, and retaining veterans — because we don't
just serve veterans, we hire them.
See the Programs Behind These Results
Every program we deliver is funded entirely through private donations. Your gift goes directly to a veteran's transformation.
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