Supporting Our Heroes: A look at how tailored organizations help veterans
Veterans, having served our country with honor and dedication, often face challenges transitioning back to civilian life. Some may face challenges much later in life, particularly with healthcare. Their immediate families, friends, and communities may also need support. Many non-profit organizations are working tirelessly to support veterans in various aspects of their lives, from housing and healthcare to education and reintegration into society.
Note that some of these agencies are federal, some are state, some are private foundations, or charitable arms of corporations. They vary greatly in scale and scope. This article is meant to illustrate how these organizations interact, collaborate, and serve those who served their country.
There are several reasons why separate organizations focused on veteran social problems are necessary, even alongside general organizations:
- Unique Challenges: Veterans often face specific challenges due to their military experiences, such as PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, increased risk of suicide, physical disabilities, and difficulty reintegrating into civilian life. These unique needs require specialized expertise and tailored programs that general organizations may not be equipped to provide.
- Shared Experiences and Trust: Veteran-specific organizations offer a sense of community and understanding among those who have shared similar experiences. This camaraderie can be invaluable in fostering healing, support, and a sense of belonging. Veterans may feel more comfortable seeking help from organizations specifically designed for them, as they may understand the unique challenges and language of military culture.
- Advocacy and Policy Change: Veteran-focused organizations can advocate for policies and legislation that directly address the needs of veterans, such as increased funding for VA healthcare, housing assistance, and job training programs.
- Specialized Services: These organizations can provide specialized services like military sexual trauma counseling, job training programs for veterans with specific skill sets, or support groups for families of fallen soldiers.
While general organizations play a crucial role in addressing social problems, veteran-specific organizations offer a vital complement by providing targeted support, advocacy, and a sense of community for those who have served our country.
Here are some of the key segments served by these organizations:
Housing Assistance
- Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH): This program provides rental assistance vouchers to help veterans experiencing homelessness secure stable housing. It is a federal program run by HUD.
- Homes for Our Troops(HFOT): This organization builds and donates specially adapted homes to severely injured post-9/11 veterans. HFOT is a private non-profit, based in Taunton, MA but active throughout the country.
Mental and Physical Health
- Veterans Crisis Line: This 24/7 hotline provides confidential support for veterans and their families experiencing mental health crises.
- The Wounded Warrior Project: This organization offers a range of programs and services to injured veterans, including mental health counseling, adaptive sports, and caregiver support.
Education and Career Training
- The GI Bill: This federal program provides educational benefits to veterans and their dependents.
- VetsinTech: This organization helps veterans transition into tech careers through training programs and mentorship.
Reintegration into Society
- Team Rubicon: This organization unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to deploy teams in response to disasters.
- AMVETS: This organization provides a variety of services to veterans, including job training, counseling, and legislative advocacy.
Social, Community, and Advocacy
- American Legion: Peer-to-Peer programs, camaraderie and access to programs from education and career skills, to health and suicide prevention.
- VFW: Ensuring that veterans everywhere are appreciated, receive their earned entitlements, and to foster a shared community of respect.
Supporting Families of Veterans, POW/MIA and Gold Star Families
- American Gold Star Mothers: This organization provides support and advocacy for Gold Star Mothers who have lost a child in military service.
- National League of POW/MIA Families: This organization works to ensure that the issue of POW/MIA remains a national priority and to assist the families of those missing in action.
These are just a few of the many non-profit organizations that are dedicated to supporting veterans.
Individuals can help by donating to these organizations, volunteering your time, or simply spreading awareness.
Other non-profits and service organizations should get to know these organizations that help in similar ways to yours. If you represent a group that supports workforce development programs in your town, getting to know the veteran specific organizations can enable you to better serve those veterans through direct programs like VetsinTech and peer-to-peer organizations like the American Legion.
Including Veterans in your organization
One final note about the special skills and dedication that our veterans have. Including veterans in your organization as staff, volunteers, and partners is beneficial to your organization and those you serve. Service members know all too well the cost of the freedom we enjoy, but also the value of service.
Veterans are steadfast individuals, they take on challenges, have grit, and know how to work with a team. They are often very familiar with working under pressure and adapting to an evolving situation. I know this from first hand experience as my partner, Dr. Alex Herzog is a veteran. Let Guiding Good help you identify ways that your organization can identify the right connections and the opportunities to do more for and with our veterans.
Thank you for your service.
More on NH specific services are listed here:
https://www.nhes.nh.gov/forms/documents/nhes-0313.pdf
How to contact Guiding Good for more information on Veteran Support Organizations? Email us at Guiding.good@gmail.com
Please add any organizations you know about in the comments!