At the Open Circle Foundation, we champion resilience and support those dedicated to making a profound societal impact.

We do this through wilderness and community experiences that restore connection to humanity, purposeful action, and spirit.

“At its core, Open Circle’s philosophy is about helping people become the best version of themselves. It’s not just another feel-good experience that fades away; people walk away with important answers, profound shifts, and a renewed sense of self.”

— Atz Kilcher, Founder of Heroes Healing Homestead Alaska

PROJECT PROfILE

Atz Kilcher, Founder

Heroes Healing Homestead, Alaska

Atz Kilcher is not only known as a military veteran and cowboy poet but also as an Alaskan treasure for his contributions to music and his dedication to supporting veterans. He gained national recognition through the Discovery Channel series The Last Frontier, which follows him and his extended family as they navigate life in the rugged Alaskan wilderness. However, it’s what Atz has chosen to do with that fame that truly makes him a hero.

Passionate about veterans' healing through nature and music, Atz founded the non profit Heroes Healing Homestead in Alaska. This sanctuary provides veterans with the opportunity to reconnect with themselves and nature, offering a space for healing, reflection, and renewal.

Our partnership with Atz Kilcher began in Kachemak Bay, Alaska, through a shared Veterans Wilderness Program. Driven by our mutual belief in the transformative power of the wilderness, our collaboration has grown into a vital partnership, enriching the lives of veterans through healing experiences in nature.

In 2025, Heroes Healing Homestead and the Open Circle Foundation will deepen their partnership, expanding the reach of wilderness-based healing programs for veterans.

Hear more of Atz’s stories and his songs in the Beyond Listening podcast interview with Atz Kilcher, Songs from the Wilderness: Atz Kilcher on Returning to our Roots.

Songs From the Wilderness

1pm - 7pm, November 2nd

Topa Institute
Ojai, California

Join us for an unforgettable evening in the serene beauty of the Topa Topa Mountains.

Celebrate the powerful journey of veterans healing through nature and music. Featuring performances by Atz Kilcher, Andrew Wiscombe, Stephen Covell, Kate, and Secily Anderson, this concert brings the stories and songs of veterans to life in a way that inspires, uplifts, and connects us all

All proceeds from this event will support veterans' healing trips to Heroes Healing Homestead, a place where veterans connect with nature, each other, and themselves in the magical setting of Alaska’s Kachemak Bay. Help us give back to those who have served by supporting this incredible cause.

Current Projects

  • Veteran Wellness in the Wild

    Wellness in the Wild supports Veterans regain their sense of purpose through experiential wilderness retreats. The aim is to support their mission in the civilian world as they continue to serve in new ways.

  • Healing Heroes: Songs from the Wilderness

    Open Circle has partnered with Heroes Healing Homestead (HHH) as part of its Veteran Wellness in the Wild project. HHH provides a unique adventure into the healing power of shared stories, music and homesteading in the magic of Alaska’s Kachemak Bay. Together we will build the trails and roads that reconnect each of us with the land and our warrior spirit.

  • Youth Wilderness Access

    Make a difference and help low income urban youth access to the transformative power of nature. This project designs and trains educators in transformative wilderness education curriculm for schools and youth community groups in under resourced communities.

  • Strength To Serve 2025

    Those committed to grassroots service are often underpaid, overworked and lack meaningful support. This program seeks to rebalance that equation.

  • Guiding Change: Scholarships for Training

    We serve those on the frontlines of community service. Through our scholarships program we increase the capacity of community and non profit leaders by enabling them to attend Open Circle trainings

  • Wellness in the Wild: Brain Research

    Support our ongoing research project on the affects of our wilderness programs on social connectivity, self efficacy, and mental health with University of Utah Applied Cognition Lab.

Our Work

  • We lead nature based retreats and wilderness trips to nourish, restore and recenter leaders and organizations that are serving on the frontlines of under served communities.

  • We provide coaching and short form education sessions to empower and uplift leaders and teams in navigating the every day challenges of living their mission in action.

  • We train leaders and teams to revitalize their communities through catalyzing connection and collaboration.

On embarking on Open Circle’s program I was hoping for a life changing experience, but I didn't know the depths of that change and what would be required to elicit it. I was faced with challenges, both physical and mental, but the guides "lead without leading" and steered me up the mountain. During our fireside circles, we delved deep into pain points and unpacked years of suffering and trauma. I came out with a renewed belief in myself and what I was capable of. This trip definitely changed my life and I am now putting in the work to ensure others receive value from the work that was done up there.

– Antonio DeAscanis, Marine Corps Veteran

Support Strength to Serve

Make a difference to those at the grassroots of service who are nourishing and uplifting people who are facing the most difficult challenges.

It is time to give them the support to nourish and uplift themselves.

Honor them by contributing to their participation in 2025 Strength to Serve.

Expanding Impact and Service

Strength to Serve Participants 2024

  • Daniel Walsh

    I am a United States veteran, a recovering drug addict and addiction counsellor. Addiction was the hardest battle I have ever fought. I want to give other veterans the best tools possible to win their battle.

  • Ayla Fleming

    I am serving as a suicide-specific therapist, working with military vets at ROGER. Veterans are at a 72% higher risk of suicide than civilians. Our mission is to reduce that suicide rate by 40% no later than 2030. My hope is to pave the way for post-traumatic growth for my clients and for other service providers like me who every day live with this trauma.

  • Cole Fitzgerald

    I work with children on the Autism spectrum. The turnover rate in my field is 65%. When someone leaves, there is a significant and noticeable increase in the barriers to the children's learning. I want to find ways to solve this issue.

  • Thomas Glonek

    I had a profound experience in the wilderness that ignited a deep sense of purpose within me and solidified my commitment to supporting my fellow veterans in their journey towards healing and empowerment.

  • Kaela Mason

    Working in child protective services, my mission is to give a voice to those who may not have their own; to advocate for those who are most vulnerable. While I help the kids I serve navigate a scary and traumatic point in their lives, I am also navigating my own trauma and lack of support.

  • More Than Fitness

    More Than Fitness has an expansive vision of its service in under resourced communities. The hard working coaches, administrators and volunteers are rapidly growing their skills and capacities to support that mission.

Support Strength to Serve 2025

Support Those Who Serve

Those committed to grassroots service are often underpaid, overworked and lack meaningful support. Our work seeks to rebalance that equation.

Our aim is to leverage the impact of committed service leaders and organizations by uplifting them and strengthening their capacity to serve.

Serving those that Serve Success Story

Nine mission driven leaders joined us for the Soul and Spirit of Leadership retreat in the Owyhee Canyonlands of Eastern Oregon to explore the soul of their work in the world.

Live in Owyhee, at the end of the journey some of them shared its impact.

Our Board

Open Circle

Open Circle is an organizational development company that works with purpose driven companies to remove obstacles to growth, broaden perspectives, and deepen connections throughout the entire organizational ecosystem.

The Open Circle mission is to transform organizations into thriving ecosystems for the greater good of humanity.