Healing Wounds Beneath the Surface: UGF Grantee Spotlight, The C4 Foundation
The C4 Foundation was built by Navy SEAL families for Navy SEAL families. So, it goes without saying that this nonprofit is close to home for the Uncommon Grit Foundation (UGF).
“The C4 Foundation was organized to honor the legacy and spirit of Chief Special Warfare Officer, Charles H. Keating, IV aka “Chuck” or “C4”, who was killed in action on May 3, 2016, in Iraq defending an attempt by 120 ISIS terrorists to breach a fortress to kidnap 10 American advisors,” explained C4 Foundation Operations Manager DeAnn Keating.
One year after his death, C4’s family formed a nonprofit charity in his honor to deliver family, marriage, and mental resilience strengthening neuroscience-based programs that are unique to the stressors of active-duty Navy SEALs and their families. The science-based program the C4 Foundation utilizes is called F.R.O.G., which stands for Families, Resilience, Optimism, and Gratitude. This includes Warrior Reset, Women’s Wellness, Couples Retreat, and Family Retreats.
“The C4 Foundation serves over 1,000 SEAL families and about five SEAL Team offsite visits per year,” shared DeAnn. “A SEAL visit is defined as an individual SEAL or husband, wife, and their children. We strengthen family relationships and enhance support networks for our most elite warriors, their immediate families, and the SEAL community as a whole.”
One of the most unique aspects of the C4 Foundation’s work is the focus on healing the entire family by offering an unmatched serene and therapeutic setting for SEAL families to recenter and reconnect.
“All C4 Foundation F.R.O.G. program services are delivered exclusively at the C4 Ranch which is located 65 miles east of downtown San Diego in the Cuyamaca Mountains and are delivered by a Navy SEAL spouse of 25 years with a Masters in Research Psychology,” added DeAnn.
The ranch may sound simple, but you would have to experience it to understand how calming it truly is. Imagine unobstructed 360-degree views that range from the Great Sonoran Desert to the Pacific Ocean, water wells, windmills, lakes, campfires, hiking trails, and horseback riding. To say it’s peaceful would be an understatement.
While the C4 Foundation has already made a significant impact on SEALs and their families, the nonprofit is eager to do more—that’s why funding support from individuals and organization like UGF is needed and greatly appreciated. The C4 Foundation has plans to utilize its recent UGF grant to assist with housing development to accommodate more families and SEALs.
“We have only two houses that will sleep ten people as of today, and our goal is to provide housing for up to 80 people should they be staying at the same time,” said DeAnn.
There are wounds we cannot see, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need to be treated. The C4 Foundation provides SEAL families the tools to help manage the unique stressors of a Special Operations lifestyle between combat in a one-of-a-kind healing environment for complete restoration.
We are proud to support the C4 Foundation, and we are grateful for the work they do each day for SEALs and their families. Take a look at their video to learn more.