About Us

Heart of a Veteran is a 501(c)(3) NFP. We are locally headquartered in Naperville, IL. HOAV started in 2015 as a book written by 10 veterans; and is the brain child of local small business owner, Jordan Holwell of Higher Energy Massage Therapy and Founder of Heart of a Veteran NFP. She supports the veteran community through low/no cost massage to help with the effects of PTSD and TBI. 

Hearing her client’s stories of their time in service and how their lives have been impacted, she asked some veterans if they would be willing to tell their stories, each one jumped on board and the book Heart of a Veteran was born. The book gained national attention and the authors of the book, are not only some of Illinois’ very own, but are veterans from all over the United States. After the release of the book, Jordan asked the question, “where do we go from here?” The answer, “use your talents to open a holistic wellness center for veterans and their caregivers”.  We filed paperwork and started a NFP.

Our mission is to help veterans and their caregivers reach their health goals through holistic and alternative approaches to healing.

Not only will our facility house a holistic wellness and retreat center, but a resource center for veterans and their caregivers.  

Veterans and caregivers can come on a daily basis and take advantage of the facility and all that it offers.  For those who require more in depth treatment our guests can stay 7 to 10 days and we will create a wellness program to fit their needs.  And coordinate with practitioners in their hometown so they can continue to get the care they need.

  Some of the services we offer are massage, physical therapy,  meditation, yoga, chiropractic, functional neurology, martial arts, music and art therapy, hypnosis, mindfulness coaching, and so much more.  

Jordan Holwell, Chairman

Don Curby, Vice Chair

Chad Schwartz, Secretary

Dana Wickstrom, Treasurer

Melissa O'Keefe, Director