The HeartSpace Collective, a New Nonprofit, Launches First Wellness Retreat Empowering Veteran Women
Austin, TX — June 23, 2025 — The HeartSpace Collective, a newly founded nonprofit dedicated to the wellness of women veterans, proudly hosted its inaugural retreat this past weekend in Austin, TX. The four-day event brought together 12 military and veteran women for a transformative experience rooted in authenticity, restoration, and connection.
Founded by US Army Veterans Jennie Choi, Audrey Iriberri, Monique Jesionowski, and Cherise Lao, The HeartSpace Collective was born from a desire to provide a safe and nurturing space for women veterans to reconnect with themselves and each other. The retreat featured holistic wellness activities, such as intentional group dialogue, yoga, nature walks, and therapeutic theatre sessions all curated to address the unique challenges faced by women who have served.
“We created this space because we saw the gap in services that specifically focus on the experience of women veterans,” said Jennie Choi, a Georgetown resident. “This retreat was about more than relaxation – it’s about building connections, encouraging self-care, and creating a community of resources and support for each other.”
Attendees hailed from across the country and represented all branches of the military. Together, the attendees had over 205 years of military service and 17 combat deployments. Many shared personal stories of how the retreat gave them renewed hope and a sense of belonging – something often missing in civilian spaces. The success of The HeartSpace Collective’s inaugural event marks the beginning of what it hopes will become a national movement to prioritize the wellness of veteran women through year-round services.
“This has been a truly transformative experience that would be impossible to achieve from any other source,” said one attendee. “The founders are uniquely capable of understanding what military women need and how to cultivate an environment in which healing and growth happen organically. I will be forever grateful for the experience and community HeartSpace Collective gave me.”
The HeartSpace Collective is seeking community partners, donors, and volunteers to expand its mission and reach more veteran women in need.
For more information, or to support the mission, visit www.heartspacecollective.org or follow @theheartspace.collective on Instagram.
About The HeartSpace Collective
The HeartSpace Collective is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating authentic and restorative spaces for transformative connection among women veterans.