Brushwood Center Awarded $60K To Expand Veterans Art, Nature Program

RIVERWOODS, IL — Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods has received a $60,000 state grant to expand a program using art and nature to support veterans' mental health, well-being, and employment opportunities.

The Riverwoods organization was among the latest recipients of funding through the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans’ Cash Grants program.

The grant will support At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans, which offers creative and outdoor programming for veterans, service members and their families.

Brushwood Center expects to serve approximately 550 members of the military community through more than 100 workshops during the coming year.

The funding will also help launch a pilot Veteran Artist Entrepreneurship Training series designed to improve employment opportunities for veterans interested in the creative sector.

At Ease sessions are held at Ryerson Woods, the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, partner natural areas and veterans organizations.

Funded Through Illinois Lottery

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs announced nearly $1 million in grants for organizations serving veterans and their families during the first quarter of fiscal year 2027.

The grants are funded through proceeds from the Illinois Lottery's $5 7X Bingo Multiplier ticket.

The Veterans' Cash Grants program supports services addressing issues such as homelessness, post-traumatic stress, behavioral health and workforce development.

"Through the Veterans Cash Grants program, IDVA continues to invest in organizations delivering critical, life-changing services to Illinois veterans and their families," department Director Terry Prince said in a statement.

"These funds support ongoing efforts to combat homelessness amongst veterans, expand their access to mental health care, and strengthen workforce opportunities"

The competitive reimbursement grants are awarded quarterly to nonprofit organizations, tax-exempt entities and government agencies assisting veterans. Eligible organizations may apply for between $25,000 and $100,000 annually.

For more information on IDVA’s Veterans Cash Grants program, please visit: https://veterans.illinois.gov/programs/veterans-cash.html