Grafton, Wisconsin (CBS 58) — From time to time, I like to check in with the former Everyday Heroes to see what they’re up to. Matt McDonell launched a nonprofit called Next 18 last year. The organization combines golf and mental health techniques to help veterans and first responders. Things have gone really well since that first camp.

I first met McDonnell last year at Grafton’s Fire Ridge Golf Course. He had just started his own company, Next 18. It was his first camp.

“I live by many of the values ​​that were taught in the military: honor, integrity. I say I’m going to do something, I will do it,” McDonnell told us at the time. .

He set out to help veterans and first responders dealing with mental health issues and PTSD. Now that’s exactly what he does.

“At 38, I think I’ve really found my purpose in life,” McDonnell said.

Next 18 hosted six camps last year, combining golf with tools for managing mental health challenges.

“Mindfulness, yoga, meditation, breathing exercises,” says McDonnell.

Next 18 has 60 alumni from the military, the Milwaukee Fire Department and more.

“Wauwatosa, Waukesha PD, Mequon Fire and the National Guard have also involved some participants,” McDonnell said, naming a few.

His own experience dealing with PTSD after military service inspired him.

“I didn’t have the resources. I didn’t have anyone to talk to,” he said. “I did what a lot of men do when they’re going through a negative situation. We just put up with it.”

Living through that experience made him want to give others tools he didn’t have, and McDonell said the response was inspiring.

Alumni call it “precious” and “irreplaceable.”

Next 18 is also growing. Eight camps are scheduled for next year.

“Now getting unprompted messages from alumni really fills my cup,” McDonnell said.

McDonell also said Next 18 is reaching out to alumni on a bi-monthly basis to assess the impact of the camp on participants. McDonnell is currently working towards a master’s degree in social work.

For more information on Next 18, please visit www.Next18.org.

If you would like to nominate an Everyday Hero, please send Natalie a message at NShepherd@cbs58.com.