Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
http://www.aopa.org/
With hundreds of thousands of members, AOPA is the largest, most influential general aviation association in the world. AOPA has achieved its prominent position through effective advocacy, enlightened leadership, technical competence, and hard work. Providing member services that range from representation at the federal, state, and local levels to legal services, advice, and other assistance, AOPA has built a service organization that far exceeds any other in the aviation community.
We protect your freedom to fly by…
- advocating on behalf of our members,
- educating pilots, nonpilots, and policy makers alike,
- supporting activities that ensure the long-term health of General Aviation,
- fighting to keep General Aviation accessible to all, and
- securing sufficient resources to ensure our success
Air Warrior Courage Foundation
http://www.airwarriorcourage.org/
Since its formation the Air Warrior Courage Foundation has “flexed” its attention on those “in need.” Sometimes it involves providing financial support, sometimes, counseling/direction; sometimes developing a “concern” to identify the true “need”; sometimes, it involves a specific need of a military family or unit. Whatever. Our concern has always been to be flexible in considering the reality being faced by our Nation’s military, veterans and their families. We have concentrated on the aviation branches of our military because such service is in our own background. Nevertheless, our programs to support military-dependent children and hurricane evacuees have addressed “Needs” for non-aviators and their families because of our dedication to “Care for Our Own.”
We seek your assistance in learning of such “needs” (who/what/when/why - to the extent that you know) so we can flesh out what the problem really is, what can be done to address it and then, if possible, do it. You can contact us by email, phone, fax and/or letter to do so.
All of us in the Foundation are military veterans and/or family members. As such, we have long memories of what was sometimes lacking when overseas in service to Our Country, combat or just active duty, member or family member (usually back in the states). Support from “home” – the citizens of the United States of America.
In representing Our Country, we strove to do so in the best possible manner; for example, supplying food, clothing, kitchen equipment and many other needed items to orphanages, schools and hospitals. There was nothing formal about our assistance – we were simply doing what Americans are supposed to do. In these circumstances, that meant helping our fellow-“man.”
Thankfully, our overseas troops have continued these “community support” activities, mostly without any fanfare or government assistance. So, the AWCF has supported our men and women overseas by supplying similar goods for our military to assist them in representing the American people as well as possible. The Foundation has also supported the troops by supplying pillows and the like for use in military hospitals, playing cards by the thousands and other items for their use in what “spare-time” they may have.
American War Mothers, Inc.
http://www.americanwarmothersofmd.com/
Each of the Moms in this Chapter currently have or have had a child serve in the Armed Forces during a time of conflict. Within the organization as a whole, our children have served as far back as Viet Nam up to and including the current War on Terror.
So the next time you see someone in uniform, remember he or she is someone's child - maybe one of ours. A quick "Thanks" would be greatly appreciated!
AMVETS
http://www.amvets.org/
AMVETS NATIONAL PROGRAMS
National Programs Department Mission Statement:
To provide department and post level support that will culminate in vibrant and effective programs serving veterans and this nation’s citizens.
Quality programs executed by your local post are the vehicle that AMVETS uses to deliver on our promise of preserving freedoms secured by America’s armed forces and enhancing the quality of life for all veterans and our nation’s citizens. Effective programs drive our ability to ensure the preservation of our American democratic way of life, and to train our youth to become purposeful citizens in that democracy. We encourage you to get involved!
If your post conducts only one program of signifcance during the course of the year, it should be a program that serves our veterans. If your post raises only a limited amount of money that can be donated for worthy causes, make certain the money is used on behalf of our veterans or the active military. Veterans who are attracted to join AMVETS, your post, because they align with AMVETS stated objectives of services that improve the quality of life for all citizens, will soon become disillusioned if all your post offers is a place to socialize. AMVETS, at that point, becomes just another club. We all need opportunities to socially interact and there are many of them available. Socialization should be the by-product of an active AMVETS post that is truly engaged in service to veterans, not the sole purpose for existing. In Addition, younger veterans, that we must attract, need much more than just another social opportunity. If you have not taken the time to view/read the results of the National Symposium for the Needs of Young Veterans, hosted by AMVETS, you should make this a priority.
Please take a minute to read some of the feedback we’ve received about AMVETS programs and see how they make a difference in the lives of so many people across the country.
With all of the many different programs we believe you will find one that matches your interest and the needs of your community. Many AMVETS members involve their entire families as they work together to make a difference. There is something for everyone. Do not wait to be asked, get involved with an ongoing program. There is no limit to the number of programs that a post may implement. If you have a passion for a program that is not currently on your posts calendar, why not volunteer to chair that program and invite others, who share your passion, to join you.
Through quality programs that your post conducts, AMVETS is able to provide contless hours of service that make a difference. Our members are particularly effective in this role because they are “mission” driven and have skills to cooperate, coordinate and communicate better than any other local community volunteer group.
The terrain may be different from community to community, but every battle to overcome an issue and fulfill a human need is as important as any we have ever fought. As veterans, we have served and will continue to serve our country because we care deeply about its future.
Believe in Tomorrow Children's Foundation
http://www.believeintomorrow.org/
We Believe in keeping families together during a child’s medical crisis, and that the gentle cadence of normal family life has a powerful influence on the healing process. We believe the highest standards of service and unparalleled hospitality help create a unique healing environment, where families find hope and comfort. Since 1986, Believe In Tomorrow has provided over 600,000 individual overnight accommodations, helping families stay together in the midst of a child's medical crisis.
Believe In Tomorrow provides exceptional hospital and respite housing services to critically ill children and their families with clean, comfortable facilities that serve as a tool for families to rejuvenate and reconnect.
Our hospital housing facilities, the Believe In Tomorrow Children’s House at Johns Hopkins and the House at St. Casimir, serve as national models for other hospital housing programs. St. Casimir is the only hospital housing facility in the nation dedicated exclusively to pediatric bone marrow transplant patients. The Children's House, our largest and most recognizable facility, sits just across the street from Johns Hopkins hospital and is viewed as a leading pediatric hospital facility.
Our five respite facilities were the first and remain the only of their kind in the nation. Families who experience our properties discover the serenity, proximity, and time needed to bond and mend the supportive web of family life.
Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
http://www.cstsonline.org/
The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS) was established in 1987 to address United States Department of Defense concerns around the psychological impact and health consequences resulting from the impact of traumatic events, to include weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and natural disasters.
Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund
http://www.cfsrf.org/
CFSRF Programs
The Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund was founded to help support surviving U.S. Military children who have lost a parent in the Afghanistan or Iraq wars by providing them with College Grants. Our program has been expanded to include spouses of our fallen as well as those whose parent or spouse has suffered a severe disability as a result of their efforts in either war.
Our College Grant Program has been expanded to include both U.S. Military children and spouses who has either lost a loved one as a result of the Iraq or Afghanistan wars or have a severely disabled parent or spouse that was injured in either war. To apply, please complete an application. Our Financial Assistance Program is to help the surviving members of these families with financial assistance. Our goal is to make awards to applicants in need of assistance with housing, repairs, utilities, medical expenses, groceries, clothing, school supplies and other expenses deemed necessary in order to help alleviate their burden. To apply for assistance, please complete an application. April 30th is the deadline for College Applicants for the Fall semesters and October 31st for the Spring semesters.. If you are applying for assistance, please submit all completed paperwork prior to the deadline. Completed Financial Assistance applications are due by the end of each quarter: March, June, September and December. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Our Grant Committee meets six times a year; the month following the end of each quarter and semi-annually for College applicants. Financial assistance applications must be complete and full submissions received prior to the end of each quarter. College applications must be postmarked by April 30th and October 31st in order to be considered for the Spring and Fall semesters.
Our awards since the Spring of 2005 are more than $970,000.00 that has provided financial assistance and college scholarships to surviving and severely disabled veterans families. We are pleased to report that our admin/management expenses for the past eight years including 2011 have been between 2-11%. Many of our College Scholarship recipients have recurring scholarships that enable them to complete their four year programs.
We encourage those going through financial difficulties to apply for assistance so please, if you know someone that may be experiencing difficulties have them contact us at (866) 962-3773.
If you are a casualty officer, Survivors or Wounded Warriors Advocate, VA or medical coordinator email us for informational brochures and applications to share with the families.
The Children of the Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund is a non-profit organization that is not affiliated with any government agency. We are able to provide college grants and financial assistance solely do to the generosity of those who donate to the organization. Some donations are made with stipulations that they be awarded within a certain state or branch of military. Since our funds are limited at times, we have to review each application, then make decisions on awards based on the needs of the applicants and the funds available at that time.
Commit Foundation
http://commitfoundation.org/
Our Veteran Mentorship Workshops are where magic happens. Through mentorship and harnessing the power of networks, we enable veterans to put their best foot forward.
The COMMIT Foundation conducts an application process that results in the selection of twelve veterans. These veterans will spend the day with twelve highly experienced mentors from the private sector. Veterans are selected first and then mentors are selected based on the veterans’ goals, personalities, and glide paths.
The workshops focus on life’s decision points, options, paths and goals. They are powerful sessions that reinforce integrity, family, and passion.
Individual Attention | Creating Results
COMMIT works with veterans individually to ensure the first steps they take out of the military are the right ones. We rely upon our networks and resources to open up doors and opportunities that otherwise might not be readily available to the veterans.
Assistance comes in various forms and The COMMIT Foundation works to fill the gaps that other organizations are not providing or are not providing in a timely manner.
Military Experience Understood Through a Civilian Lens
Transition and veteran hiring is about individuals, not metrics. We work with companies to ensure they understand veteran skill-sets and experiences. Corporations have a tremendous opportunity and an enormous amount of value in front of them when a veteran comes on board.
We work to ensure the relationships are the right ones, the placements are appropriate, and the proper mentoring and conditions are set for long-term success.
Defendant and Veteran Brain Injury
http://dvbic.dcoe.mil/
DVBIC's mission is to serve active duty military, their beneficiaries, and veterans with traumatic brain injuries through state-of-the-art clinical care, innovative clinical research initiatives and educational programs, and support for force health protection services. DVBIC fulfills this mission through ongoing collaboration with the DoD, military services, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), civilian health partners, local communities, families and individuals with TBI.
At 16 sites supported by a Washington, D.C-area headquarters, DVBIC treats, supports, trains and monitors service members, veterans, family members and providers who have been, or care for those who are, affected by traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
DVBIC works at the macro-level, screening and briefing troops heading into theater, performing pre-deployment provider training and provider training at military treatment facilities, gathering data mandated by Congress and the Department of Defense (DoD), and overseeing research programs. At the micro-level, DVBIC treats service members and veterans with mild, moderate or severe TBI, and helps them from the moment of injury to their return to duty or reintegration into the community. DVBIC develops, provides and distributes educational materials for both military and civilian providers, families, service members and veterans. In 2011 DVBIC disseminated over 960,000 educational materials.
The DoD has further solidified DVBIC’s role by naming it the Office of Responsibility for these tasks:
- Creation and maintenance of a TBI surveillance database
- Service compliance for pre-deployment neurocognitive testing
- Creation and distribution of the Family Caregiver Curriculum
- Design and execution of a 15-year longitudinal study of the effects of TBI in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom service members and their families
- Design and completion of independent head to head study to evaluate the reliability and validity of computerized neurocognitive tests
Deployment Health Clinical Center (DHCC)
http://www.pdhealth.mil/about_dhcc.asp
For more than 15 years, the DoD Deployment Health Clinical Center (DHCC) has been working to improve deployment-related health care. DHCC seeks to transform military health care delivery systems from a disease management model to a more effective and efficient population-based collaborative model of care through health systems research, program implementation support at military treatment facilities (MTFs), and program evaluation services.
Disabled Sports USA
http://www.disabledsportsusa.org/
Disabled Sports USA’s mission is to provide national leadership and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence, and fitness through participation in community sports, recreation and educational programs.
Disabled Sports USA has served severely injured military since 1967. Warfighter Sports, a program of Disabled Sports USA, offers sports rehabilitation programs in military hospitals and communities across the U.S. through a nationwide network of over 100 community-based chapters. Warfighter Sports serves severely injured military, both active duty and veterans, with a permanent physical disability such as amputations, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, visual impairments and significant nerve and muscle damage.
Warfighter Sports offers more than 30 winter and summer adaptive sports through over 150 events nationwide. These year-round sports experiences include skiing, snowboarding, cycling, wheelchair basketball, track and field, watersports and much more.
Click here to view the 2014 Winter Warfighter Sports
Calendar!
Warfighters and their guests are provided all programs free of charge, including individualized adaptive instruction, adaptive
equipment, transportation, event fees and lodging.
Easter Seal's Serving DC, MD and VA
http://gwbr.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=DCMD_MilitaryandVeterans
Easter Seals provides exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs, including military, wounded warriors, veterans and their families, have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities.
Feherty's Troops First Foundation
http://www.troopsfirstfoundation.org/
Operates and supports a synergistic group of wellness, quality of life and sports-based initiatives in support of today's military personnel. Both non-injured and injured military personnel and their families are served at no cost to them by T1F's strategically integrated quality of life, sports-based and wellness initiatives.
Fisher House Foundation, Inc.
http://www.fisherhouse.org/
Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment.These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, close to the medical center or hospital they serve.
Fisher House Foundation also operates the Hero Miles program, using donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members as well as the Hotels for Heroes program using donated hotel points to allow family members to stay at hotels near medical centers without charge. The Foundation also manages a grant program that supports other military charities and scholarship funds for military children, spouses and children of fallen and disabled veterans.
Give an Hour
http://giveanhour.org/
Give an Hour™ is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), founded in September 2005 by Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, a psychologist in the Washington, D.C., area. The organization’s mission is to develop national networks of volunteers capable of responding to both acute and chronic conditions that arise within our society.
Currently, GAH is dedicated to meeting the mental health needs of the troops and families affected by the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. We provide counseling to individuals, couples and families, and children and adolescents. We offer treatment for anxiety, depression, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, sexual health and intimacy concerns, and loss and grieving.
In addition to direct counseling services, our providers are working to reduce the stigma associated with mental health by participating in and leading education, training, and outreach efforts in schools and communities and around military bases.
As of August 2013 our network of licensed mental health professional includes over 6,700 psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, marriage and family therapists, drug and alcohol counselors, pastoral counselors, and other professional counselors.
GAH has been featured and Dr. Van Dahlen has been interviewed in countless articles, television segments, and radio casts in the last few months, as the mental health needs of the troops have become strikingly apparent. Dr. Van Dahlen was also named to the 2012 TIME 100 of the most influential people in the world.
HeathCare.gov
https://www.healthcare.gov/if-im-a-military-veteran-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-the-marketplace/
If you're enrolled in TRICARE or the Veterans health care program, you're considered covered under the health care law. You don't need to make any changes.
If you’re a veteran who isn’t enrolled in VA benefits or other veterans' health coverage, you can get coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Health Well Foundation
http://www.healthwellfoundation.org/
When health insurance is not enough, HealthWell fills the gap. We assist patients living with chronic and life-altering illnesses in paying their share of prescription drug copayments, deductibles, and health insurance premiums. By reducing this financial stress, the people we serve can focus on what's most important—their health.
Joining Forces Mentoring Plus
http://www.joiningforcesmentoringplus.org/
We can help a woman veteran, military spouse or caregiver of a wounded warrior benefit from a mentoring relationship to help her with her job search, starting a business and on her path to a successful career.
Maryland Therapeutic Riding
http://www.horsesthatheal.org/
MTRs mission is to improve quality of life and conquer physical, developmental, and emotional health challenges through human and horse interaction.
Strategies
- Create a management plan and processes to develop our staff and organization to attain the highest standards of professional excellence.
- Provide a safe and healing environment and first-class facilities that support program and capacity needs today and tomorrow.
- Enrich, extend, formalize, and integrate programs consistent with our mission.
- Expand public awareness and outreach to strengthen public understanding and support of the value of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapy.
- Ensure MTR’s mission sustainability.
Military Child Initiative
http://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/military-child-initiative/
The Military Child Initiative will assist public schools to improve the quality of education for highly mobile and vulnerable young people with a special focus on military children and their families by providing national, state and local education agencies, as well as schools, parents and health, child welfare, juvenile justice and educational professionals with information, tools and services that enhance school success.
Goals:
- Improve school outcomes by increasing a sense of connectedness for highly mobile young people in public, charter and private schools.
- Identify effective programs that improve the social, emotional, academic and health outcomes for children in military and other mobile environments.
- Identify effective programs that use the school setting to provide social, emotional, and academic support to military children and other young people in especially difficult circumstances.
- Enable every public school serving military children to establish and sustain goal oriented programs so that all families and communities remain connected to the children’s educational success and well-being.
- Increase the capacity and give instruction and support to all who work with youth in especially mobile circumstances so as to facilitate the above.
National Archives
http://www.archives.gov/
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National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health
http://www.cancer.gov/
Cancer by the Numbers Tracking new cases of cancer, as well as cancer death and survival rates, helps scientists see where they are making progress and where they need to do more. NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program provides fact sheets about the most frequently requested cancer data.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokehttp://www.ninds.nih.gov/
NINDS funds research across the spectrum from basic research aimed at understanding normal brain and nervous system function to large Phase III clinical trials to test or compare treatments. A strong, dynamic, and balanced portfolio of basic and disease-focused research is essential for progress in neuroscience, and striking the right balance is an important challenge for NINDS and the scientific community.
The National Remember Our Troops Campaign
http://www.nrotc.org/
The National Remember Our Troops Campaign is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to remembering the service and sacrifice of all military service members, all veterans and their families, supporting those in need and letting them know they are not forgotten. NROTC is proactive combating major stress, PTSD and suicide among service members and veterans.
NROTC provides recreational therapy for wounded troops and veterans, employment for unemployed veterans and emergency financial aid to veterans who are homeless or have fallen on hard times.
NROTC works to RAISE AWARENESS in local communities throughout our population, of military and veteran's issues, and to provide ways for Americans to become involved in supporting our troops and veterans.
Naval Support Activity Bethesda
http://www.cnic.navy.mil/
Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSAB), is home of the world renowned Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the Flagship military medicine and the Uniformed Services University,dedicated to training medical professionals for careers in the Department of Defense and the Public Health Service.
NSAB's mission is to support its tenant commands, in their ability to provide world class medical care, research and education. Wounded Warriors to recover from their medical maladies in an environment in which staff is given the freedom to professionally thrive and a University where the impact of research leads the way to higher learning and better care for all of our Nation’s sons and daughters.
NSAB is where our nation's Wounded Warriors come to heal.
Programs includes quality of life programs for Sailors and their families. FFR enables a ready Navy force through programs such as Family Readiness, Fleet Readiness and Housing.
The Fleet Readiness division includes many Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs and services. These programs include: fitness and sports, deployed support, the Navy Motion Picture Service, libraries, golf, bowling, marinas and outdoor recreation, the Single Sailor or Liberty program, Information, Tickets and Travel, and Navy entertainment programs.
Fleet Readiness also includes the Navy Gateway Inns and Suites, formerly known as the Visitors Quarters or VQ, along with MWR's lodging services, such as campsites, hotels, cabins and cottages, as well as ashore galleys and MWR food and beverage services.
The Family Readiness division provides programs and services through Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC), including relocation assistance, information and referral, financial management counseling, spouse employment services, family advocacy and the transition assistance program. The FFSC also provides assistance for Individual Augmentees (IA) families and victims of sexual assault.
Family Readiness also consists of Child and Youth Programs, including Child Development Centers, the Child Development Home Program and Youth and Teen Centers.
The Navy Housing division is responsible for the overall management of all permanent housing Navy-wide, including family housing and bachelor quarters. Through its public-private venture (PPV) mission, the Navy is revitalizing military housing by partnering with private sector developers to offer quality, affordable housing communities.
Operation Second Chance
http://www.operationsecondchance.org/
Through the Operation Giving Back program, our goal is to provide opportunities to wounded veterans and their family members who have the desire to give back by assisting others in similar situations. Each Internship is tailored to the individual and consists of various activities and a variable amount of time, during which the Intern volunteers each week in support of our mission. Each intern will have their own personal profile page on the Operation Second Chance website, including their photos, bio and goals. The Internship application process is competitive. Applying does not guarantee admittance. If you are interested in applying, please contact [email protected] to receive an application. During participation in Operation Giving Back, eligible candidates, based on financial need, will be provided a monthly stipend to offset their cost of living.
Shelly has over 20 years experience working with clients in a variety of treatment settings. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, she sought specialized training and education to work with Military and First Responders, and has focused primarily on trauma and addictions over the last 15 years of her career. She is a member of the Battle Response Team (BRT) for Battle in Distress, a non-profit that strives to serve as a vehicle for bringing about a national, cultural and societal change in the manner in which PTSD, Suicide and Service Members is viewed, discussed, and addressed, and is on Facebook as a Page Administrator for Combat Wounded Warriors and Battle in Distress pages, as well as her own blog. Shelly also sees clients in her practice in Annapolis and Ellicott City Maryland, and is a current professional member of the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, the American Counseling Association and the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. She is certified in Addictions Counseling and is a Mental Health Associate with specialized training working with PTSD, Addictions, complex PTSD and Crisis Intervention. Shelly is a passionate advocate for veterans and active duty military, and works with Operation Second Chance and others to stop the disturbing and devastating onslaught of soldier suicides. She is committed to educating civilians and family members about appropriate ways to support returning veterans while also taking care of themselves. She feels strongly that all who have had their lives disrupted by trauma, should be provided with information and support to allow them to understand more completely how this has impacted their lives. Veterans need to have a place they can talk without restrictions or privacy concerns. There is a very real need for privacy and respect that is given to each person walking through the doors of Operation Second Chance. Any individual, family or group meetings attended are kept strictly confidential.
In 2006, Operation NPLB, formerly known as No Person Left Behind, was founded as an independent charity that allows like-minded professional hunters, fisherman, and outdoor-minded people to ensure that disabled veterans always receive the best outdoor hunting and fishing opportunities. NPLB has always provided wounded warriors with services complimentary to those offered by OSC, and in March of 2011 NPLB became a permanent part of Operation Second Chance. Professional guides Mark Hoke and Cody Kittleman originally started in 2004 by hosting handicap accessible (aka Handy-Capable) hunting outings for civilians. In 2006, staff at Walter Reed Army Medical Center learned of Mark and Cody's successful efforts through an article in the Washington Post. They reached out to the duo hoping they would be interested in taking some Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans out on a hunting outing. Needless to say, Cody and Mark were honored to be asked to support these heroes and they agreed without hesitation. With the help of family and friends the two were able to put together a small number of quality hunting outings with a family atmosphere. What started out as two outings a year in 2006 soon turned into twenty outings in 2009. Cody and Mark knew they needed support from others to keep up with the demand for this program. Today, Operation NPLB aids in the recovery and rehabilitation of injured service members from all eras who must endure the lifelong sacrifices made for our country. NPLB supports injured Soldiers, Sailors, Coasties, Airman, and Marines by reintroducing them to hunting, fishing and life outdoors. Volunteers offer their time and skills to aid in the emotional recovery of our veterans through outdoor activities with fellowship and the encouragement to overcome any disability. Everyone involved in the NPLB Program is humbled by our troop's commitment, and they honor all disabled service men and women who have served in wars past and present. NPLB creates an environment that is conducive to healing by empowerment. By giving disabled veterans time away from their care facilities we enable them to concentrate on life beyond their injuries. We facilitate connections between injured veterans who share similar injuries and situations in a natural environment. The NPLB program is about much more than showing disabled veterans they can still enjoy hunting and fishing. Giving our veterans an opportunity to share their wartime experience with those who have been there before enables veterans to promote healing within their own ranks just like taking care of a buddy on the battlefield. Operation Second Chance's Operation NPLB program empowers disabled veterans to break away from the perceived frailty of their injuries. NPLB also helps veterans by working with sister organizations and through active engagement throughout the region. Since 2010 the NPLB program has helped start three other sister organizations across the Mid-Atlantic region that include The Napley Green Gun Club Waterfowl Hunt, WSSC (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission) Hunters for Heroes, and Navhda (North America Versatile Hunting Dog Association) Operation On Point. The opportunity for more outdoor outings means that we can help more veterans.
Operation NPLB helps wounded warriors heal the emotional wounds in a way that many warriors understand and appreciate. Our biggest objective is to show our returning warriors that they are loved, appreciated, and honored. NPLB was founded by Americans that love this country for its founding values and its veterans for all they stand for. The sacrifices our veterans make will never be forgotten and OSC's Operation NPLB will continue to do all we can to give back to the men and women of our Armed Forces. If you are a veteran interested in participating in a Operation NPLB outing please contact[email protected]
Operation Second Chance offers an unparalleled range of services guided by the founding principle that we treat wounded warriors and their loved ones as if they were our own family. We believe in providing assistance to our troops and their families on the ground where the greatest need exists and where OSC's support will have the greatest impact. Our ability to quickly assist with these needs is why the staff from our military hospitals reach out to us for help daily. We assist countless families. Our assistance includes everything from airline tickets to daily family support such as a baby stroller or diapers and formula. Whatever the need, we do what we can to help wounded warriors and their families as if they were our own. We may be able to help you and your loved ones obtain air travel to or from military health care facilities. If you do not meet the criteria for eligibility of military travel benefits but have a compelling need to be with your loved one, we may be able to assist. Other situations where we might be able to assist with travel include special circumstances, one-way flights, and urgent or short notice flights. We can also assist with your daily needs while you are at the hospital. If you need something that is unavailable at the hospital or need assistance off base/post, we might be able to help. For any of these special requests please contact[email protected].
Did you know that as an E-1 with less than two years of service the base pay is less than $18,000 per year? Even if you are lucky enough to get promoted to E-5 in your first enlistment your base pay is still less than $28,000 per year. We realize that if you have a family you may make slightly more with BAH and dependent pay, but it is not an easy living. In many cases your spouse or significant other must work just to pay the bills and live paycheck to paycheck. Then, what happens when your loved one is injured while serving our country? Do you leave your job and ignore your bills to be with your loved one while they recover, or do you leave your loved one to recover on their own to continue to work to pay the bills? Operation Second Chance helps make that difficult decision a lot easier by covering monthly bills during those critical first months when life is so chaotic. Whether it's your mortgage, rent, utilities, or childcare, we want to do our part to help. It has been our goal from the very beginning of OSC to assist our warriors throughout the recovery process. However, with the current economy, the number of financial aid requests that we receive is higher than ever. If you are in need of financial assistance and are currently receiving care at a military healthcare facility with an expected rating of at least 70%, we may be able to help. Please have your service liaison, chain of command, or care provider request an application by email at [email protected].
Items that will be considered for assistance:
Rent/Mortgage (must be accompanied by a copy of mortgage statement with account number and billing address. If rental assistance is being requested, a copy of the rental agreement that has the name/address of the rental/lease company, monthly rent amount
Utility bills (electric, gas, water, sewer)
Childcare during illness or surgery
Housing and/or airfare for a family member to assist an injured or recovering member
Items that will not be considered for assistance:
Cell phone bills, medical bills, credit card, legal fees, personal loans, personal debt, college tuition, cable, storage units, child support, moving expenses, furniture or appliances.
Veterans returning home from a "normal" tour in a war zone will tell you that returning to everyday life is not easy. Returning can be even more difficult for family members who are struggling to understand the changes that have occurred and continue to occur in their loved ones after a combat deployment. In the end, reintegration between warfighters and their families is very difficult. Now, try to imagine receiving a phone call where a stranger tells you that your loved one has been seriously injured while conducting combat operations. Your loved one is alive, but his or her condition is unclear, and it is unknown if they will survive. This situation has happened to nearly every one of the men and women we work for everyday. To obtain some semblance of normalcy, the warriors and families that survive combat trauma must work through the stress of these events and the lifelong changes that result. OSC recognizes the stress families experience from combat-related trauma and the importance of strong family support. We see the struggles that take place with families trying to reconnect and regain the "normal" in life after returning home from a war zone with severe injuries. We also understand how a positive attitude can impact the recovery process. One of the many ways OSC assists our wounded warriors and their families is by providing retreats that facilitate this part of the recovery process. We actively work to get wounded warriors and their families out of their hotel rooms and the hospital environment to help them relax and reconnect. We offer two different types of retreats depending on the individual's injuries and their ability to get away. We provide short local overnight trips to those who need a quick getaway but do not have the ability to go very far from the care received at the hospital or from their chain of command. We also provide week-long retreats for those who are further along in their recovery and are able to get away for longer periods. During our retreats we offer many different activities for the individuals to choose from, as well as give wounded warriors and their families the opportunity to rest, relax and complete activities on their own. All OSC retreats are all-inclusive and have no cost to our recovering service members and their families.
·Individual injured service members
·Couples
·Families
If you are a disabled veteran interested in attending one of these retreats please complete the Retreat Application and return it to [email protected].
As mentioned on our Retreats Page, the hospital environment can be very stressful. Sometimes all that is needed to improve motivation and morale in recovering service members is to give them a night out on the town. Whether we take them out to a ballgame with a couple of friends, or rent a movie theater for our warriors and their guests to catch the latest film, we do it all in our day trips and nights out. As soon as warriors in military care facilities are physically able to take trips away from the hospital, we get these heroes out to help them regain their sense of independence. Operation Second Chance has two ADA approved handicap vans to ensure that we are always able to give injured individuals with an approved pass a break from the hospital despite their injuries. These actions lift morale, improve mood, and facilitate mental and physical recovery following difficult events. This is where OSC's founding principle to treat wounded warriors like family shines brightly. Thanks to Comcast Sports Group and generous private donors we are able to routinely take warriors to sporting events with first class treatment. Our heroes often have the best seats in private suites at events in the Verizon Center and elsewhere. These venues allow a group of seriously injured veterans to ease back into public events while still maintaining enough privacy to not draw unwanted attention to their recently acquired injuries. This is one more tool OSC uses to help our seriously wounded rejoin society without thrusting them into the spotlight before they are ready. At all times we maintain the integrity and privacy of the individuals who have given so much for America, while also ensuring they have a first class experience. Ultimately, the objective is to improve the recovery for these fine Americans. No matter what the reason—if you are a wounded warrior that needs to get away from the hospital campus, we can help. If you are a veteran or family member of a veteran recovering in the Washington, DC area that could benefit from our services please contact:[email protected]
Giving heroes a break is always fun for both OSC and the troops, and when the warriors are ready, we offer them the opportunity to go to special events with the public. Hosting these special events is one way we involve OSC supporters in our warrior care operations. These events give the public an opportunity to talk with and encourage these heroes so that they can enjoy the company of others who appreciate their sacrifice. Most importantly, the events also provide another venue for recovery, growth, and reintegration of these wounded warriors. OSC hosts all sorts of special events, some are independently organized while others are organized by our partners. Special events are a great way to have fun in a family friendly environment while simultaneously spreading awareness of OSC's missions and needs to maximally support wounded warriors. We participate in fishing outings, golf tournaments, car shows, BBQ's and much more. If you or your company may be interested in hosting a special event to benefit the troops please contact: [email protected]
OSC's work with recovering service members starts as the wounded, injured, or ill warriors transition out of intensive care units (ICUs). We make initial contact with families in the hospital and inform them of the assistance we provide. More importantly, at OSC we believe in building lifelong 1 on 1 relationships with each individual Solider, Sailor, Airman, and Marine receiving our support. Having a personal relationship is what makes every program OSC offers so successful.
As you can imagine, inpatient troops get bored in the evenings after most people have left for the day, and that is why OSC has spent so much time in military hospitals during the evening. We often bring recovering service members game systems like PSPs, DVD players, movies, games, and other special requests to help them pass the time. Likewise, hospital food often lacks variety when you are recovering for an extended duration and can occasionally leave a lot to be desired. OSC brings in favorite foods from local restaurants for the wounded warriors when the service member is unable to get out of the hospital—it is amazing how the little things seem to have the biggest impact.
OSC's Vice President, Adam, is a recovered wounded warrior himself. He visits with fellow warriors and shows them that despite his injuries he is still able to have a normal and productive life. As a wounded warrior from the current era, Adam connects readily with other wounded warriors and shares his story. He shows how he has been able to succeed physically, emotionally, and professionally thereby building faith and hope in both the warriors and their families going through a difficult recovery process. OSC has many warriors that constantly assist in accomplishing our mission and ensure that we leave no one behind. For the OSC President, Cindy, and Vice President, Adam, visiting with the troops and watching them progress through the recovery process is likely the greatest and most rewarding part of their job. However, in some ways, this is also bittersweet. Cindy often says that she builds awesome relationships with "her Soldiers and Marines" over the course of 1 to 2 years, and then upon completing their rehabilitation they go back to their hometowns or units. It's tough to have such close relationships with these warriors and their families to then say goodbye. It's bittersweet to see them complete their recovery to know that they are moving away from the area, but also so wonderful to see our heroes back on their feet. In the end, we will always be there for our heroes and their families regardless of where they live because ultimately they are the most important part of our OSC family.
Operation Welcome Home Maryland
http://www.operationwelcomehomemd.org/
Since March 2007, Operation Welcome Home (Maryland) greets Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guard service members returning from overseas. We average about four welcome home event per week, and you could be part of the excitement.
Pets for Vets
http://pets-for-vets.com/
At Pets for Vets, we believe our country owes military veterans a debt of gratitude. Our soldiers have been brave but many of them have returned with physical and emotional injuries that have made it difficult to transition back to civilian life. Some estimates state that as many as 20% of returning military veterans suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Pets for Vets program is dedicated to supporting veterans and providing a second chance for shelter pets by rescuing, training and pairing them with America’s veterans who could benefit from a companion animal. The Pets… 3 to 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year. These animals can make excellent companion animals but never have that chance. Our dedicated animal trainers will evaluate and rescue the shelter animals and provide additional training to ensure that they are able to assimilate into a home, which is quite different from a shelter environment. The Vets… Sadly, there are alarming statistics of suicide, family abuse and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder facing veterans returning to civilian life after military duty. This can cause a downward spiral of apathy, unemployment, broken relationships, addiction and depression. It is our belief that companion animals can be the life saving therapy or friend that many returning service men and women need.
Project Enduring Pride
http://enduringpride.org/
Project Enduring Pride was started in 2005 by a combat disabled military veteran upon seeing the dynamics of being a patient in the military healthcare system. While working with the Morale, Welfare, and Recreational staff it was learned of the Federal Regulations limitation and budgetary constraints that that truly held by many good Federal civilian employees from reaching beyond stated goals. PEP was founded to do events where the WW had a challenge outreach experience; later evolving into more of a PTSD intervention mechanism developed and support by the professional healthcare staffs.
Today, PEP is in the final stages of moving into seven military and V.A. centers to provide services to the wounded warrior population. PEP is a not-for profit activity fewer than 501 (C) 3 as defined by the Commonwealth of Virginia tax Code and the Federal IRS standards. PEP is staffed by volunteers with no paid members, less reimbursement for substantiated mission support expenses.
Project Enduring Pride (PEP) Mission Statement
Our Mission: Founded in 2006 with the staff of then, Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC, the adopted mission of Project Enduring Pride © is to assist in developing an outreach program beyond the boundaries of the Federal campus by providing a regional community support umbrella of activities and events which are organized to help plan, coordinate, arrange, and conduct recreational and educational support to a wide diverse set of seriously wounded service member who are out-patients at military hospitals and V.A. healthcare facilities. These events include sports, recreational, developmental, career counseling, and Benefit counseling. The goal for the Project is to focus on creating appropriate world class level events that provide “outreach capabilities” to assist the seriously wounded in gaining confidence, independence, and courage to return to the civilian community as productive members of that local society.
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc.
http://www.projecthealingwaters.org/
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF) began in 2005 serving wounded military service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since then, PHWFF has expanded nationwide, establishing its highly successful program in Department of Defense hospitals, Warrior Transition Units, and Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and clinics.
The Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing program provides basic fly fishing, fly casting, fly tying and rod building classes, along with clinics participants ranging from beginners who have never fished before, to those with prior fly fishing and tying experience who are adapting their skills to their new abilities. All fly fishing and tying equipment is provided to the participants at no cost. Fishing trips, both one day and multi-day, are also provided free of charge to participants.
PHWFF is unique in that our volunteers are teaching classes on an on-going, long term basis. It is much more than a one day fishing trip. For many participants, particularly disabled veterans, the socialization and camaraderie of the classes are just as important as the fishing outings, and provide them a new activity.
Reinventing Michael Banks
http://www.reinventingmichaelbanks.com/
Reinventing Michael Banks is the resulting product of WILL Interactive’s Simulate A Better World Challenge. This competition asked contestants to identify an important societal issue that could be effectively addressed through WILL’s patented interactive behavior modification methodology. Coming Home Project, a non-profit dedicated to supporting Veterans and their families, won the challenge for their submission which addressed the issues confronted by transitioning Service Members.
Saltwater Soldiers Inc.
http://saltwatersoldiers.org/
Our free saltwater fishing excursions also include entering wounded soldiers and veterans into various offshore fishing tournaments on the eastern shore. It’s every sport fisherman’s dream to compete with the best in the most prestigious offshore showdowns in the Atlantic. We offer our military heroes this opportunity in a humble and professional manner. Being part of the Saltwater Soldiers Team is all about building strategies together and working as a unit. In addition, Saltwater Soldiers Inc. provides financial assistance for wounded soldiers, veterans, and their families. Our organization grants monetary aid to families in need of counseling, schooling, medical care, home remodeling to accommodate for handicap accessibility, and a general improvement of their quality of life. The Saltwater Soldiers financial assistance program is designed to help with the bills and expenses that are essential to daily living. Saltwater Soldiers Inc. mainly operates out of Ocean City, MD, Virginia Beach, VA and Outer Banks, NC. In an effort to benefit our U.S. Military personnel nationwide, we hope to continue to grow and eventually have the necessary resources to offer fishing trips along the East and West Coast, the Gulf of Mexico and Hawaii.
Saltwater Soldiers also provides vocational training for wounded veterans in the Marine Industry to get a Captain's license to run boat charters. All our services are offered free of charge and are made possible through individual and corporate donations.
Social Security Administration
http://www.ssa.gov/veterans/
The effect of military service can be profound and lasting. There are a number of financial, social, and health issues that result from military service. Some Wounded Warriors and Veterans Who Have a Compensation Rating of 100% P&T are unaware that Social Security may expedite the processing of their disability claims.
Here you will find information that Wounded Warriors and Veterans Who Have a Compensation Rating of 100% P&T should know about Social Security. This site provides information about Social Security, why it is important, and some of the services we provide.
Social Security Benefits for Wounded Warriors
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/people/veterans/
Some Wounded Warriors and Veterans Who Have a Compensation Rating of 100% P&T are unaware that Social Security may expedite the processing of their disability claims. Here you will find information that Wounded Warriors and Veterans Who Have a Compensation Rating of 100% P&T should know about Social Security.
Military service members can receive expedited processing of disability claims from Social Security. Benefits available through Social Security are different than those from the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application.The expedited process is used for military service members who become disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs.
Soldierfit
http://www.soldierfit.com/
Soldierfit is a military values based organization that exists due to the current obesity epidemic facing America. Soldierfit will fill the need for an affordable, safe, fun, and inspirational fitness environment. Our goal is not to make the member dependent on us, but rather to educate them so they can make the proper choices to maintain the level of fitness they develop with us for life. We will not grow because of our members' dependence on us. Instead our numbers will increase because we provide more services for less money.
Soldierfit is a unique, functional fitness program, with locations in the Maryland/Washington, DC area. The Soldierfit program encompasses, boot camp classes, mixed martial arts, personal training and a functional fitness gym.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
http://beta.samhsa.gov/
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.
The major topic areas for programs and initiatives covered by SAMHSA include, but are not limited to: substance abuse and mental health prevention, treatment, recovery, and related resources.
Disaster Distress Helpline
Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after any natural or human-caused disaster.
Call 1-800-985-5990. It's Free. It's Confidential.
Truckin 4 Troops
http://truckin4troops.com/
We are dedicated to supporting and serving our wounded servicemen and women through creating family functions and events such as bonfires, cookouts, swimming, boating, etc. to get the wounded and their families out of the hospital for well-needed rehabilitation. Our goals are to utilize our extremely huge F650 pickup trucks, along with a 15-passenger handicap accessible bus, to transport the wounded veterans and their families to our events or coordinate our efforts with other non-profit organizations in need of transportation to their events.
Veteran CareGiver .com
http://www.veterancaregiver.com/
This site is a bridge for caregivers and veterans alike. It is a safe place to air questions and frustrations on and offline, but we also provide individualized assistance when you've hit the wall. As a veteran or a caregiver of a veteran, your life may be significantly altered by injury, illness, or aging. If you're feeling isolated or alone, want/need people around you who "get it", and you'd benefit from networking with peers and professionals, community health and recovery resources, you've come to the only site of its kind. VeteranCaregiver is here to fill the need for acknowledgement, mentoring as only peers can do, and to provide accessible support from others who share or can address your challenges.
Vietnam Veterans of America
http://www.vva.org/
Founded in 1978, Vietnam Veterans of America is the only national Vietnam veterans organization congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans and their families.
VVA's goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans.
Yellow Ribbon Fund, Inc.
http://yellowribbonfund.com/
The Yellow Ribbon Fund helps bridge the gaps while they’re recovering in the Washington, DC, area at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Fort Belvoir Community Hospital.
The Yellow Ribbon Fund provides free HOTEL ROOMS for visiting relatives desperate to be at the side of their injured loved ones. We provide free RENTAL CARS and TAXI RIDES to give them some freedom and control at a time when they control very little. As injured service members recover and become outpatients, we provide free, furnished APARTMENTS for families who otherwise would have to endure the added stress of separation or crowding into a hotel room.
When a service member is injured, a family member or close friend leaves home to come help with the recovery, often for a year or longer. YRF’s FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAM has pioneered support for caregivers. We’re still one of the only service organizations to offer childcare and family-oriented activities, plus stress-relieving massages and spa visits, mutually supportive dinners out, empowering horseback rides, and more — all at no charge.
Meanwhile, after a life-changing injury, our innovative MENTORING PROGRAM helps injured service members build new lives through education and career guidance, networking, and job shadowing that opens doors.
After injured veterans return home, our AMBASSADOR PROGRAM connects them with volunteers all over the country. These “ambassadors” provide one-on-one support to ensure no one falls through gaps in community safety nets. (Read the program brochure.)
And when injured service members need an advocate to stand up for them, VOLUNTEER LAWYERS FOR VETERANS provide pro bono legal services.
Yellow Ribbon Fund volunteers and donors make it possible for injured service members and their families to enjoy sporting and cultural events, tours, outings, and get-togethers — MORE THAN 100 ACTIVITIES every year.
These events are more than just fun — they’re an important PART OF THE HEALING PROCESS. YRF activities offer stress-reducing breaks from the grueling rigors of recovery, while reducing isolation, nurturing family relationships, and building confidence.