Updated at 10:52 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017 to add video.

HOLYOKE -- Weekend retreats on issues like post traumatic stress disorder and sexual abuse. Clothing for children and adults. Massage and yoga.

All of these services and events are available to military personnel and veterans and their families through Project New Hope at 476 Appleton St.

All for free.

And all confidential, said William H. "Bill" Moore, Project New Hope founder, president and a disabled U.S. Air Force veteran.

"If somebody is on the base and they're struggling and they don't want the base to know, they can come here and it's all confidential. We don't tell the military," Moore said Tuesday at the office in Suite 3.

Project New Hope opened June 1 with a grand opening held on June 27. That came after Moore sought a Western Massachusetts location to provide a presence in this area to help military personnel and veterans in whatever they need.

"And it's all free," Moore said.

The program began in January 2011 from his home in Worcester, where the main office now operates. It is based on an operation he saw in a visit to Michigan seven years ago, he said. Moore was injured in the U.S. Air Force while making a successful rescue of two pilots from a burning F-111, according to projectnewhopema.org

"Project New Hope Inc. believes in the healing power of mutual support, targeted services and the camaraderie of friends. All veterans of all eras from across the United States are welcome," according to its mission statement.

Eyeing Western Massachusetts, Moore at first sought a storefront in Westfield. He wanted to help because the Massachusetts Air National Guard's 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base has nothing in the way of a commissary, convenience store or clubhouse for its military personnel, he said.

Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard, who spoke at the grand opening, heard of Moore's plans and made a suggestion. Perhaps it made more sense to position a Project New Hope office that could help the 104th Fighter Wing in Westfield, Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee and military personnel and veterans in Springfield, Moore said, recalling the words of Keefe.

"He says, 'You'd be better off finding an area in Holyoke,' " Moore said, adding later, "Holyoke's a beautiful city."

The list of services that Project New Hope offers poured from Moore and Cecelia Staryos, the Holyoke office coordinator, in an interview at the office.

On Sat. Aug. 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., free back-to-school backpacks will be provided to children of military personnel and veterans.

From Aug. 27 to Sept. 1, a retreat for military and veteran caregivers will be provided in collaboration with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation at the Oceanwood Camp and Conference Center in Ocean Park, Maine.

From Oct. 13 to 15, an LGBTQ retreat will be held at Grotonwood Camp and Conference Center in Groton to welcome home LGBTQ veterans and offer a safe and protected setting to be among peers.

The Team 22 part of Project New Hope is aimed at younger veterans and military personnel. The program provides regular sessions of exercise and events like obstacle course races, marathons and "ruck marches" (marching with a full load of weapons, boots, canteens and other gear).

The doorway with the Project New Hope sign, military branch insignias and photos of military helicopters, ships and vehicles is unmistakable.

Show a military or military dependent identification card, U.S. Veterans Administration health card or driver's license stamped with "Veteran," and Project New Hope will help, Staryos said.

"As long as they're part of the military community," she said.

The office includes a wall with cubicles containing all new clothing for children. Another large closet has clothing and boxes of boots for adults. A closet in the front room is filled with new coats.

Moore said he is grateful for the help given to Project New Hope from corporations and businesses. The Bose Corp. of Framingham donated 5,000 headphones and boxes of stereo equipment. Most of the office furniture came free of charge from Conklin Furniture here, he said.

"I've got to give them a shout-out because they were fantastic," he said.

Photos and video of clothing and other items that are available are posted on the Project New Hope Facebook page, he said.

Meeting space is available for private chats in the office. A kitchen area has a refrigerator, microwave oven and coffee maker. There's a room with a bed for the "holistic healing" practices like massage, reiki, yoga, acupuncture and meditation.

The office is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1:20 p.m., Staryos said.

Moore said that the Project New Hope Facebook page serves today as the meeting place for military and veterans that for years was provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion clubs.

"This is where I reach all my veterans," Moore said.

To offer a donation or other kind of help or for more information about Project New Hope, the phone number is 1-413-315-3873 and email contacts are bmoore@projectnewhopema.org and cstaryos@icloud.com

