One out of every ten veterans today was wounded or injured while serving, and countless others are disabled after leaving the military. Numerous veterans suffer from disabilities we can't see, such as PTSD or traumatic brain injury. For these veterans, it can be hard to return to normal life. Thankfully, there are many charities that are dedicated to supporting disabled veterans and helping them integrate back into society. Here are 5 organizations that support and help veterans every day.
Paralyzed Veterans of America is a congressional chartered veterans service organization that was originally founded in 1946. PVA was originally founded by a band of service members who had returned home from World War II with spinal cord injuries. When they returned, they were faced with major challenges and very few solutions. These heroes made a decision to live with dignity as contributors to society. They created the PVA, which is dedicated to serving veterans and to medical research. The PVA has been on a mission since 1946 to change lives and build a brighter future for our seriously injured heroes. Each person on their executive committee is a member of Paralyzed Veterans of America and was elected by their membership community.
If you or someone you know would like to donate or help out, their website is here. https://pva.org/about-us/leadership/
The Fisher House Foundation was founded in 1990 by Pauline Trost. She made Zachary Fisher aware of the nation-wide issue of housing for military families during the hospitalization of a loved one. Zachary had been working in construction since the age of 16 to help support his immigrant parents. He and his brothers formed Fisher Brothers. Zachary was committed to supporting the U.S. Armed Forces. Pauline had watched a family exit a helicopter at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda and wondered where they would stay. She knew that with hotels in the area being costly, this would be a huge burden on families facing a medical crisis. After talking with Pauline and her husband (who was the Chief of Naval Operations in 1986), Zachary said, "I’m a builder; I can do this." Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher dedicated more than $20 million to the building of comfort homes for the families of hospitalized military personnel to stay free of charge, so they can support their loved ones when they need it most. Since its inception, the program has saved military and veteran families an estimated $547 million in costs for lodging and transportation. These Fisher homes are located at military and VA medical centers around the world.
If you would like to donate to the Fisher House Foundation, their website is here. https://fisherhouse.org/
The Hope for the Warriors foundation was founded by military families aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC, in 2006. They witnessed firsthand the effects war has on service members and their families. The organization has remained grounded in family values as they expand both the span of programs offered and the number of wounded, family members, and families of the fallen assisted. Their mission is to offer comprehensive support programs for service members, veterans, and military families that focus on transition, health, and wellness. The organization believes those touched by military service can succeed at home by restoring their sense of family, self, and hope.
If you would like to get involved with Hope for the Warriors, their website is here. https://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/
Semper Fi & America’s Fund was started in 2003 by military spouses who volunteered right away to provide support to those wounded and injured while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. They provided the wounded service members and their families with needed items for comfort and recovery. The Fund’s model of lifelong relationships between military families, service members, and their team is completely unique among veteran nonprofits. The organization has programs that include education and career assistance, veteran support, and an Odyssey retreat that is a holistic transition assistance program for injured and critically ill service members in which they learn how to transition into civilian life by learning about life planning skills, establishing goals, and more. The fund continually finds new ways to support and help wounded veterans across all branches of the U.S. armed forces.
If you would like to get involved with Semper Fi and America’s Fund, their website is here. https://thefund.org/
K9s for Warriors was founded in 2011 by Shari Duval. Her vision was to train shelter dogs as service dogs and pair them up with veterans affected by military-connected trauma. When her son Brett came home with PTSD, she realized she was only herself when he was with his dog. Shari had found a new mission in life and put all her time and resources into helping restore the lives of her son and other combat veterans through the use of service dogs. Shari started the organization with her own money and was able to watch it grow into the largest service dog program for veterans in the United States. Sadly, Shari lost her battle against cancer in 2021. Her legacy shines on with every veteran and rescue dog saved by the organization.
If you would like to join the K9s for Warriors movement and want to help out in any way, Check out the website here. https://k9sforwarriors.org/
Our military veterans face unprecedented challenges as a result of their service to our country. Their dedication to protecting our freedom cannot be overlooked. At Boots on the Ground, we strive every day to help empower immigrants and veterans. We are a trusted staffing agency that connects veterans and immigrants in Minnesota with blue-collar job opportunities. It is important to us to help out veterans because they help us every day. We will continue to focus on helping out our veterans and ensure we do our part in making sure veterans get the help they need.