Honoring a Veteran Biography

When it comes to the health benefits of water and why humans are drawn to it, there is a wealth of research to draw upon. Numerous studies have explored the ways in which water supports our daily health, both physically and mentally. When it comes to physical health, staying hydrated is crucial for the proper…

At WAVES Project we appreciate all of the financial and volunteer support that we receive from donors across the country. As a nonprofit we rely on the generous support of the community, to provide our programs to veterans with service-connected injuries, from across the U.S… We understand that life can have its challenges. Economy, employment…

Kris Moorehead and Dave Fitzgerald’s journey to 150 dives!! On Veteran’s Day November 11, 2023 while diving on the HMCS YUKON, The WAVES Project divers Kris Moorehead and Dave Fitzgerald completed 150 SCUBA dives as each other’s dive buddies and demonstrating how camaraderie is one of the key components in our “Purpose”, here at The…

In 2022 WAVES Project reached new milestones and touched the lives of more veterans than ever before.

Karen Cocozza learned about WAVES Project from a fellow veteran. She thought, “why not, I’ll try it”, and applied to the program in February 2020. She grew up in a small town outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After High School, her sense of adventure and a desire to earn money for college inspired her to join…

“It was an absolute honor to dive with all of you Wonderwomen! ”
— Charlamain Caycedo

WAVES Project has been training in the Southern California since 2011. We became a 501(c )3 nonprofit in 2013. In the beginning, training veterans across the country wasn’t really a thought. Being in Southern California, we had a veteran rich community to train. As we began to develop an internet presence with our website and…

JD Chiniaeff grew up on the water, going to the beach or water skiing on the rivers and lakes. “I never knew my dad had gotten certified as a diver in the sixties until I was in my early twenties. He kept asking me when I was going to get certified and I kept saying…

Dave Fitzgerald began his diving career with WAVES Project in 2018, his chosen dive buddy was his son Alex.  After his Open Water Certification, he began volunteering and continuing his dive training. Dave has worked his way up to the level of Dive Master, helping train other Veterans and leading fun dives to keep them…

Occupational Therapists incorporate deep breathing exercises to help promote relaxation and coping techniques to help assist with keeping you centered and focused. Deep breathing is a great mindfulness technique to help with reducing stress and feelings of anxiety. OT’s can use these tools to help assist with self-regulation and resetting your fight or flight response,…

After seeing our Social Media post about our accomplishments in 2021, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and WAVES Project diver, Rafael Monroy contacted WAVES Project to share his feelings and the impact of our program on his life. “I was compelled to share my truth about the chart that showed 392 veterans lives that were positively…

KEY WEST, Fla. – Dry Tortugas National Park hosted volunteer divers from the Wounded American Veterans Experience Scuba (WAVES) Project who spent a week helping the coral reef ecosystem at the park and in return received therapy, healing and relief from their service-connected disabilities. Seven veterans traveled to the remote Dry Tortugas archipelago, from Oct.…

Five female veterans of the US Armed Services joined the National Park Service for a week of removing marine debris from Biscayne National Park, July 5-11, 2021. The veterans were sponsored by the Wounded American Veterans Experience SCUBA (WAVES Project), non-profit established to provide opportunities for veterans with service-connected disabilities and their families to experience…

WAVES Project Veteran Jeff Houser This September 11th marks the 20th anniversary of a day that changed so many lives. In an effort to raise funds for the WAVES Project, a non-profit organization, I’m running the Surf City Half Marathon in remembrance of all those that lost their lives that day and the many years…