Michael’s Foundation is a non-profit 501-c3, established in 2019 to support veterans and their families by restoring life of purpose, encouraging empowerment and promoting well-being through programs and services. It offers no-cost, impactful resources to U.S Veterans that truly make a difference for them and their families.
Michael’s Foundation program, Horses Empowering Heroes, is a ground-based experiential educational horse program available to participants to build trust, stay present, learn to manage hypervigilance, and experience peace and calm in the moment. Other programs include Wellness, Farm Fun Days and Veteran and Family Benefit Guidance.
The program was named in memory of Sgt Michael Paul Titus who served in the Army as a 13F2P Fire Support Specialist with the 173rd Airborne Brigade from 2007 to 2014.
Michael was wounded in gunfire, suffered with hearing loss and bad knees as a Paratrooper and also struggled with severe depression and PTSD after his four tours in Afghanistan.
Upon his return home, things didn’t go well for Michael. He struggled psychologically with the effects of war and battlefield experiences. Troubling issues included Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and depression. He was Baker Acted more than once and was on a merry-go-round on drugs prescribed by the VA. He was fighting a new battle at home, a war on his own invisible wounds.
Michael had great difficulty adjusting to civilian life. He shared with his family how he dreamed of starting a nonprofit to help veterans and their families to adapt to civilian life post-military service; to give to them the opportunity to thrive not just survive. Short of making that dream come true, and unable to fight any longer, Michael took his own life on February 7, 2016.
Michael’s mother Kriss Titus is keeping her son’s dream alive. Kriss is the founder of Michael’s Foundation, supported by her husband Larry Titus. Chairman, Mark Miller, is the owner of Al-Marah Arabian Horses and the host farm for the foundation. Alan Alford’s “Fighting For Our Heroes Foundation” provides Free Veteran Benefit Guidance to the veterans.
Kriss says the ultimate goal is to support veterans and their families by providing a community where they can grow beyond just surviving, to thriving.
On Saturday, March 26th, between 10 am and 1 pm, join the families and friends of Michael’s Foundation for “A Veteran’s Journey”. The event includes lunch from Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill, a variety of guest speakers including Neftali Rodriguez, C.E.O. of the Camaraderie Foundation; Mark Miller from Al-Marah Arabian Horses; Representatives from Senator Rubio’s Veteran advocates; Kriss Titus, Founder and President of Michael’s Foundation; and more.
There will also be local vendors promoting their health and wellness offerings like local Clermont Yoga Studio, One Yoga & Fitness. There will be giveaways throughout the event from local health and wellness professionals as well as games for the kids. Cesar Domico, a magician for over 30 years, will be performing magic for the kids and parents as well.
A Veteran’s Journey is a FREE event but donations are appreciated to support the foundation’s free Veteran-family programming. Donations will be accepted at the farm and through paypal QR code.
The event will be held on Al-Marah Arabian’s Horse Farm at 11105 Autumn Lane, Clermont.
Support Veterans and help bring awareness to post-military life experiences. Michael’s Foundation is looking for more local vendors and business owners who are either Veterans or who have special offers for Veterans to be a part of the event. The foundation will provide the tables and chairs needed.
Contact 407-536-6402 for more information, and RSVP on the website for the event at https://michaels-foundation.org/events/
