ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
Our 21st-century modern life, characterized by its overcommitted schedules, overwhelming digital stimuli, low physical activity and lack of proper nutrition, has taken a toll on our mental health and overall well-being.
One of the most affected age groups during this past 10 years has been children & youth. Low self-esteem, anxiety and depression are just a few of one of the US’ most pressing health issues as well as an international health epidemic.
It seems as if it’s impossible to escape this fabricated maze of quick-fix “solutions” we have created for ourselves in the name of progress. But humanity’s adaptability always arises and our survival depends on it. That’s why reconnecting with our roots and with nature is necessary for us to re-adapt and replace dysfunction with balance and peace.
“The taller a tree the deeper its roots.”
MATSHONA DHLIWAYO
At The Soil Foundation, we provide you and your family with an opportunity to unplug, regroup, and heal through today’s contact with nature, in order to prevent mental health struggles tomorrow.
YOU ARE INVITED TO GROW WITH US AT THE SOIL FOUNDATION.
Hakim Isler
Founder, The SOIL Foundation
"PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE."
DESIDERIUS ERASMUS, DUTCH PHILOSOPHER
THE PROBLEM
MENTAL HEALTH
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There is so much stress, sadness, and dysfunction in today’s society. From veterans to civil servants, to the working class and our youth. The number of people struggling with emotional and mental challenges is staggering. Between 11% and 20% of veterans from Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF) experience post-traumatic stress each year. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, 275 Soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines took their own lives in 2015.
In another study, 216,000 law enforcement officers suffer from post-traumatic stress (PTS) or some other form of emotional distress. An estimated 150,000 officers have symptoms of PTS and recent research indicates that one-third of all active-duty and retired officers suffer from PTS, yet most don't even realize it. According to a “Badge of Life” study there were 51 deaths by suicide of law enforcement officers in the last six months of 2015.
The National Comorbidity Survey Replication Adolescent Supplement, a national face-to-face household survey of 10,148 U.S. adolescents, found that nearly two-thirds of adolescents in the U.S. have a history of anger attacks. It also found that one in twelve young people — close to six million adolescents — meet criteria for a diagnosis of Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED), a syndrome characterized by persistent uncontrollable anger attacks not accounted for by other mental disorders.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 25% of teens between the ages of 13 and 18 suffer from an anxiety disorder. Sadly, 80% never receive treatment for their condition.
WHO WE HELP
YOUTH & COMMUNITY SERVICE PERSONNEL
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One of our main purposes is helping out troubled and underprivileged youth and their families, as well as military and public safety personnel such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical service, and others who have suffered from overwhelming stress while in service to our Nation and communities.
HOW WE HELP
NATURE
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Wilderness/ecotherapy programming bolsters healing because time in the natural world benefits our brain activity. Fresh air and open spaces provide a reset. Uncluttered environments and distance from technologies give our minds a chance to recalibrate, reorganize, and rest. It’s an opportunity to truly re-position and listen to oneself without the distractions of everyday life.
Adventure-based experiences are a foundation for clinical work. The SOIL Foundation’s wilderness-based models offer outdoor activity with its inherent emotional challenges, relationship building, and behavioral choices to explore broader psychological themes, patterns, and strategies. Lastly, adventure-based activities are an excellent venue to build positive psychological skills and traits. Resilience, resourcefulness, resolve and responsibility are drawn to the forefront and developed in these interventions.
We provide outdoor bushcraft retreats (primitive and non-primitive), which can also be an opportunity for relaxation, fun and adventure in the wild. These retreats are for individuals and families wishing to enjoy time away while making new friends in a rewarding yet self-rejuvenating place.
BENEFITS OF NATURE
RESTORES ATTENTION AND NATURAL COGNITIVE ABILITIES
REDUCES STRESS
BOOSTS CREATIVITY
SOOTHES EMOTIONS AND BUILDS CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM
FACILITATES SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND ENSURES LONG-LASTING RELATIONSHIPS
INCREASES SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND SPIRITUAL CONNECTION
Interested in knowing more about our cause?
OUR TEAM
The SOIL Foundation is made up of experienced instructors looking forward to meet you. We are dedicated to community & service.
HAKIM ISLER
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Hakim Isler is a veteran of the Army Special Operations Forces community and has served in Iraq to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He is a survival cast member on hit shows such as the Fox Channel’s “Kicking and Screaming,” and Discovery Channel's “Naked and Afraid,” and “Naked and Afraid XL.”
Hakim is a family man, community leader, author, and business owner. Hakim started The SOIL Foundation after recognizing how nature’s healing positively affects his own life.
STEVE DELELLIS
INSTRUCTOR
(TRACKING SPECIALIST)
Steve DeLellis is an experienced military tracker and survivalist. He has trained with Apache Indians on the western plains, the Border Patrol along the southern border of the United States, with the Iban People of Sarawac Malasia and the Miskito tribe in the jungles of Central America.
Having spent over three decades in U.S. Army Special Operations units, he has used man-tracking extensively in remote locations around the globe.
Want to know more about our team?
