Give to The Rowan Tree | Give Big Gallatin Valley 2024

Our Founder, Chelsey Patera, enjoyed an ordinary childhood while growing up here in Bozeman, MT. Her life took an abrupt detour in 2003 when she began witnessing addiction within her home. Circumstances worsened when her father tragically took his own life in 2004. Struggling to cope with the trauma, Chelsey started acting out. Like any concerned parent, her mother was filled with fear and desperation, desperately trying to save Chelsey from a path of self-destruction. Her actions eventually let her into the US "Troubled Teen Industry", a network of privately owned, powerfully punitive, residential academic programs. Within the system, Chelsey was subjected to harsh punishments and lost the vibrant spirit she once possessed. Like most teens who experience trauma, what she truly needed was to be heard, validated, nurtured, and guided on how to address the profound emotions she was experiencing.

After completing the program, Chelsey encountered additional trauma. Each ordeal added to the calluses on her heart, leading her to cope with alcohol. However, in 2021, she reached a breaking point. She committed to sobriety, to healing, and to confronting her suppressed emotions head-on. Through her journey to sobriety, Chelsey uncovered a profound desire to help teenagers who are struggling with life's adversities, trauma, and substance abuse. From this profound experience, The Rowan Tree was born.

The Rowan tree, native to the UK, is renowned for its resilience, often found thriving in challenging environments such as high altitudes, rocky terrain, and even in the midst of turbulent rivers. In English folklore, its berries were believed to possess protective qualities. Just as the Rowan tree's resilience helps it withstand harsh conditions and thrive, our foundation aims to nurture and support teens, helping them tap into their inner resilience to overcome life's challenges and grow into strong, empowered individuals. Our goal is to create a safe haven for teens, much like the protective quality attributed to the Rowan tree's berries, where they can navigate life's challenges, trauma, and substance abuse where they can connect with others, build meaningful relationships, and address their challenges in healthy ways. We take a holistic approach to healing, recognizing that addiction and trauma affect every aspect of a teenager's life. Through a combination of mentorship, counseling, support groups and community activities, we help teenagers heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

We are dedicated to fostering strength and resilience in the youth of the Gallatin Valley, helping them navigate and heal from trauma. Our commitment is to be a steadfast support for these young individuals, providing a beacon of home and endless possibilities. The contributions we receive are pivotal in offering personalized mentorship, therapeutic sessions, and scholarships for mental health and addiction recovery. We embrace a variety of healing modalities, including holistic practices, equine therapy, and beyond.

Our initiative extends to educating parents and caregivers, equipping them with the skills to communicate effectively, deepen their connection with their teenagers, and forge enduring bonds. The pinnacle of our aspirations is to establish The Rowan Tree Ranch amidst Montana's majestic mountains. Here, we will curate transformative retreats ranging from 7 to 150 days, designed to nurture healing, personal growth, and the adoption of wholesome habits, all within the embrace of nature and holistic wellness.

Give Big to Rowan Tree!