What We Do,
Why We Exist,
Our Story
What We Do
David J. Drakulich Foundation For Freedom of Expression (aka DJD Foundation) offers art and recreation programming to veterans and the military connected community. The military connected community consists of individuals who are currently serving or are related to service members and veterans through family ties and friendships. We connect the military and its supporters with the arts and recreation as a means of giving gratitude, honor, and a return of the gift of freedom of expression. DJD Foundation encourages all Americans to do their part and exercise their hard won right to freedom of expression. DJD Foundation actively seeks opportunities to increase the citizenry’s knowledge of freedom’s true costs.
Why We Exist
Currently, in America, veteran assistance emphasizes financial, legal and educational benefits. However, active duty, reserve, veteran and militarily connected family members often need social and emotional support in order to access and become successful with education, career and family. Veterans who are not connected to important resources such as social or emotional support groups can endure isolation, unemployment, homelessness, substance abuse, and a multitude of other challenges. We provide art and recreation programs that allow for such connections. We understand that art and recreation improve quality of life for community members.
Further, DJD Foundation understands that our veterans and service members have first hand experiences and knowledge that often remain unreported. We believe that sharing such stories through various medias serves to assist individuals to process traumas and difficulties that may result from service, and to engage their community in a much needed dialogue that creates understandings within the community,informing it to the consequences and human toll resulting from military service. DJD Foundation wishes to ensure that the gift of free expression is freely accessible for those who have fought to preserve it.
Through the process of achieving its mission, DJD Foundation promotes the arts and recreation as a vehicle through which personal, world, and universal understanding and compassion arise. Our current projects include Veterans Art Project, Northern Nevada Veterans Writing Project, Combat Paper Nevada, NV Citizens Helping Troops, and Sgt. David J. Drakulich Memorial Scholarship at Truckee Meadows Community College.
Our Story
David J. Drakulich was a young artist who turned soldier as soon after the 9-11 attacks as his age would allow. David had felt that his personal freedoms, which he dearly appreciated were at stake. David joined the US Army and served over 4 years with 3 deployments. David earned many commendations as an Airborne Ranger serving with the 82nd Airborne, before he lost his life on January 9, 2008, in Afghanistan in the Global War against Terror, including a Bronze Star. Some of David's art can be seen in David's Gallery.
Since 2008, Legends at Red Rock Hair and Nail Salon has ceaselessly supported our veterans through fundraising. Because of the generosity of this local business, and its family, friends, and neighbors, David J. Drakulich Foundation For Freedom of Expression was born.
Founding member and mother of David, Tina Drakulich states that, "Through my experience with grief and war related trauma, I’ve developed and clung to two understandings: First, art heals and second, generosity protects one’s mental health. With those and support from Legends at Red Rock Hair and Nail Salon, I more or less provoked my family and close friends to develop a nonprofit. Together, we developed the David J. Drakulich Art Foundation for Freedom of Expression, We coined the vision statement : Art Heals War Wounds. It seemed unreal and abstract at the time. Little did I know then, that it would become very real and I would be the first beneficiary. During the building process, my heart began to mend: I made new friends, I gained a deeper self- understanding and strength; my depression and grief softened through the creative process. Through visual art I gained the ability to distance myself from the pain by creating a birds-eye view of it. I learned that I am not the only one with sorrow and disappointment. In short, I was a guinea pig, and I can say that our hypothesis was, indeed correct- Art Heals War Wounds." Family and friends realized the healing potential of art could be shared with others who are affected by war, and hoped to make the world a better place by assisting veterans who have sacrificed so much to procure our freedom.
David J. Drakulich Foundation For Freedom of Expression (aka DJD Foundation) offers art and recreation programming to veterans and the military connected community. The military connected community consists of individuals who are currently serving or are related to service members and veterans through family ties and friendships. We connect the military and its supporters with the arts and recreation as a means of giving gratitude, honor, and a return of the gift of freedom of expression. DJD Foundation encourages all Americans to do their part and exercise their hard won right to freedom of expression. DJD Foundation actively seeks opportunities to increase the citizenry’s knowledge of freedom’s true costs.
Why We Exist
Currently, in America, veteran assistance emphasizes financial, legal and educational benefits. However, active duty, reserve, veteran and militarily connected family members often need social and emotional support in order to access and become successful with education, career and family. Veterans who are not connected to important resources such as social or emotional support groups can endure isolation, unemployment, homelessness, substance abuse, and a multitude of other challenges. We provide art and recreation programs that allow for such connections. We understand that art and recreation improve quality of life for community members.
Further, DJD Foundation understands that our veterans and service members have first hand experiences and knowledge that often remain unreported. We believe that sharing such stories through various medias serves to assist individuals to process traumas and difficulties that may result from service, and to engage their community in a much needed dialogue that creates understandings within the community,informing it to the consequences and human toll resulting from military service. DJD Foundation wishes to ensure that the gift of free expression is freely accessible for those who have fought to preserve it.
Through the process of achieving its mission, DJD Foundation promotes the arts and recreation as a vehicle through which personal, world, and universal understanding and compassion arise. Our current projects include Veterans Art Project, Northern Nevada Veterans Writing Project, Combat Paper Nevada, NV Citizens Helping Troops, and Sgt. David J. Drakulich Memorial Scholarship at Truckee Meadows Community College.
Our Story
David J. Drakulich was a young artist who turned soldier as soon after the 9-11 attacks as his age would allow. David had felt that his personal freedoms, which he dearly appreciated were at stake. David joined the US Army and served over 4 years with 3 deployments. David earned many commendations as an Airborne Ranger serving with the 82nd Airborne, before he lost his life on January 9, 2008, in Afghanistan in the Global War against Terror, including a Bronze Star. Some of David's art can be seen in David's Gallery.
Since 2008, Legends at Red Rock Hair and Nail Salon has ceaselessly supported our veterans through fundraising. Because of the generosity of this local business, and its family, friends, and neighbors, David J. Drakulich Foundation For Freedom of Expression was born.
Founding member and mother of David, Tina Drakulich states that, "Through my experience with grief and war related trauma, I’ve developed and clung to two understandings: First, art heals and second, generosity protects one’s mental health. With those and support from Legends at Red Rock Hair and Nail Salon, I more or less provoked my family and close friends to develop a nonprofit. Together, we developed the David J. Drakulich Art Foundation for Freedom of Expression, We coined the vision statement : Art Heals War Wounds. It seemed unreal and abstract at the time. Little did I know then, that it would become very real and I would be the first beneficiary. During the building process, my heart began to mend: I made new friends, I gained a deeper self- understanding and strength; my depression and grief softened through the creative process. Through visual art I gained the ability to distance myself from the pain by creating a birds-eye view of it. I learned that I am not the only one with sorrow and disappointment. In short, I was a guinea pig, and I can say that our hypothesis was, indeed correct- Art Heals War Wounds." Family and friends realized the healing potential of art could be shared with others who are affected by war, and hoped to make the world a better place by assisting veterans who have sacrificed so much to procure our freedom.
