6 Organizations Supporting Veterans & Military Families

Those who have served or are currently serving their country face a unique set of challenges, from balancing family life with military life to returning to the workforce to coping with PTSD. Groups like the ones listed here work to support these people and their families, so that they can not only get by, but thrive and feel fulfilled. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

Groups That Help & Support Veterans, Servicepeople, And Their Families

Name Mission
ThanksUSA Provide need-based college, technical, and vocational school scholarships and pathways to employment for children and spouses of our troops
Call of Duty Endowment Identify and fund the most efficient and effective organizations that get unemployed veterans back to work
Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs Recognize and honor Oregon’s veterans and their families by providing the highest quality programs, service, and benefits
Veterans Writing Project Provide no-cost writing seminars and workshops for veterans, active and reserve service members, and military family members
Hudson Valley Honor Flight Honor American Veterans for all their sacrifices by transporting them to Washington, D.C. to visit their memorials at no cost to them
Military Family Advisory Network Connect military families to the resources, people, and information they depend on to successfully navigate all phases of military life

Facts About Military Families

10 Books on the Courage and Sacrifice of Military Service

Title Author(s)
1. 12 Strong Doug Stanton
2. Legend Eric Blehm
3. Not Forgotten Neil Oliver
4. In the Name of Rome Adrian Goldsworthy
5. Soldiers First Dave Cullen
6. American Boys Louise Esola
7. Service Marcus Luttrell with James D. Hornfischer
8. Redeployment Phil Klay
9. Omar Bradley Jim DeFelice
10. Spearhead Adam Makos

Lessons Learned From A Military Spouse

What Is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health issue that some people develop after witnessing or experiencing a life-threatening event. While this can happen to anyone after living through a natural disaster, car accident, sexual assault, or similarly traumatic event, the disorder is often associated with veterans, as combat is a dangerous situation that causes many soldiers to develop PTSD. Symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, and re-experiencing upsetting memories, which can make it hard for people to do daily activites like going to work or school and spending time with loved ones. There are a number of treatments available to help people recover from their trauma and regain a normal life, including different types of psychotherapies and medications like anti-depressants.

The Challenge of Being a Soldier

In Depth

As long as there have been wars, military forces and soldiers all across the world have existed. In the United States, the Army exists to serve the American citizens, protect critical national interests, and defend the nation against external entities. For all they do for the country, veterans, service members, and their families struggle with homelessness, disabilities, unemployment, and access to education. In no particular order, here are 6 organizations working to provide assistance and support to veterans and military households.

First up at #1 is ThanksUSA, short for 'Treasure Hunt Aiding Needs of Kids and Spouses of those serving the United States of America'. The organization provides college, technical, and vocational school scholarships as well as access to job opportunities for the spouses and children of America's troops. It was founded by Rachel and Kelsi Okun, two sisters who saw the challenges military families experience after their neighbor who served as a lieutenant in the army came back from Iraq in an injured state.

Since it began operations, ThanksUSA has awarded 4,700 scholarships valued at over $15 million to recipients from every branch of the U.S army. In addition, the group operates the Pathways for Patriots program that reduces the gap between earning higher education and job opportunities. It does this by involving companies from certain industries in creating meaningful employment for military spouses and kids. Make a minimum donation of $50 and help make a positive difference in the lives of military families.

It does this by involving companies from certain industries in creating meaningful employment for military spouses and kids.

At #2 is Call of Duty Endowment. It is a nonprofit organization that identifies and finances the most efficient and effective groups that work to get unemployed American veterans back to work. It also raises awareness of the value to workplaces that they bring to the table. It was founded in 2009 by Activision Blizzard CEO, Bobby Kotick after he learned that a third of the 150,000 veterans resuming civilian life could not find jobs.

Since its conception, the group has helped place over 63,000 veterans in well-paying jobs by supporting groups that prepare them for the job market. It has also offered more than $18 million in grants to organizations that support veterans all over the United States. In 2017, the organization expanded its efforts to the United Kingdom to help vets get access to employment opportunities that will use their education, skills, and experience. Help the Endowment sustain its efforts by making a donation.

Coming at #3 is the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs. ODVA was established on June of 1945 by then Governor of Oregon, Earl Snell. It was formed with the purpose of honoring the veterans of World War 2 by providing them with every possible service and assistance they would require in terms of care and opportunities. The organization also provides important information for aging vets as well as for their families and caregivers.

ODVA was established on June of 1945 by then Governor of Oregon, Earl Snell.

ODVA operates several programs that are specifically designed to give assistance to Oregon vets. Some of those programs benefit vets by helping them with their education scholarships, filing disability compensation claims, as well as nursing care at the Oregon Veteran's Home. At present, the organization serves more than 331,000 veterans spanning four generations across five significant periods America was involved in warfare. Help ODVA make a difference in the lives of veterans by applying to be an employee through its website.

Up at #4 is the Veterans Writing Project, a non-profit based in Washington, D.C. The organization was founded by Ron Capps, an award-winning writer and songwriter but more profoundly, veteran of the war in Afghanistan. VWP was established on the belief that every vet has a story to tell. They therefore organize free annual creative writing seminars and songwriting workshops for vets, service members of the armed forces, and their adult family members.

The VWP mentoring program provides guidance and constructive criticism to writers who have book-length projects or would like to learn songwriting. In addition to the writing workshops, the group works with medical professionals to develop therapeutic expressive writing programs in research and treatment facilities for PTSD and TBI. Help the organization sustain its no-cost seminars by making a contribution on its website.

In addition to the writing workshops, the group works with medical professionals to develop therapeutic expressive writing programs in research and treatment facilities for PTSD and TBI.

Next up at #5 is Hudson Valley Honor Flight, a nonprofit that commemorates American veterans for their sacrificial service. The organization is part of a much larger group of over 100 independent non-profit hubs across America that together constitute the National Honor Flight Network. HVHF transports veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit their memorials without imposing any financial charges on the American heroes.

The organization's mission is to sponsor four flights every year from Stewart Airport and Westchester Airport, both in New York, for a one-day trip. The excursion is designed to offer the veterans a comprehensive Honor Flight experience as a token of appreciation for their service to the United States. Apply to be a volunteer on the group's website to help raise awareness about HVHF and make its vision of honoring American veterans a success.

Finally at #6 is the Military Family Advisory Network. Jack Benson and Kevin Miller founded the organization with the aim of connecting military families to the people, resources, and information they require to navigate through all phases of army life. In order to serve them as best it can, the non-profit conducts research on the lives of their households such as housing, education, and how they interact with the community.

Jack Benson and Kevin Miller founded the organization with the aim of connecting military families to the people, resources, and information they require to navigate through all phases of army life.

The network runs human-centered programs that drive meaningful and measurable impact on the lives of military families. MilCents, for example, is a self-guided education initiative intended to teach army households the importance of good financial planning. The organization also runs MilYou, a program that provides information, tools, and resources that families of service members can use to strengthen their physical and emotional health. Make a minimum donation of $25 and help make a positive impact on military households.