Empowering Our veterans

NOVEMBER 2018 | IMPACTINGOURFUTURE.COM

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Empowering Our Veterans Television star Montel Williams starts new show dedicated to giving veterans home makeovers

LEARN about the current state of veteran employment and what unique skills veterans are bringing to the workplace

BROWSE more stories online, including how veterans are embracing volunteer opportunities with Team Rubicon

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Empowering Veteran Mental Health The definition of “empowerment” reads as follows: The process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights.

Empowerment sounds like something we want for our veterans. It seems straight forward and easy to understand. However, achieving empowerment for those who have experienced significant challenges, stress and trauma is difficult.

One element that is often overlooked in efforts to empower our veterans is ensuring that they are emotionally healthy as they navigate the transition to civilian life. If we fail to support their mental well-being, all other efforts to empower those who have served will fail as well.

Most of our service members and their families gain tremendously from serving our country. They develop new skills, confidence and a sense of greater purpose. And yet, understandably, some veterans — and those they love — experience emotional pain during and after their service.

Sometimes this results from the demands of service itself — the frequent moves and uncertainty that make it difficult for some families to thrive. Some may unknowingly enter the service with compromised mental health just as others enter with compromised physical health. And sometimes, those who serve experience trauma during service — trauma that takes its toll on loved ones as well.

Fortunately, we are finally beginning to understand that no one can be empowered or thrive if their emotional well-being is compromised. Indeed, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ budget for mental health has more than quadrupled since 2005. However, there is much more that needs to be done. And each of us can do our part. The next time you speak with one of the men or women who have served our country, ask him or her, “How are you … really?” and be prepared to listen.

Barbara Van Dahlen, Ph.D., Founder and President, Give an Hour

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Warrior Support: Steps to Empowering Those Who Serve The Wounded Warrior Project is transforming the way injured American veterans are empowered, employed and engaged in our communities.

Jennifer Silva Chief Program Officer, Wounded Warrior Project

S

ince 2003, the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) has been a tireless advocate for our nation’s finest, improving the lives of millions of veterans and their families. Our continuing dedication to wounded veterans is resolute, and we stand together as an organization on behalf of a nation indebted to our men and women in uniform.

Support at home WWP programs help empower people like Lisa Crutch, a veteran who served in Iraq and now copes

with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

F o r o u r n a t i o n’ s m e n a n d women in uniform, transitioning to civilian life can be difficult.

WWP programs, including combat stress recovery, career counseling and physical health and wellness, empowered Lisa to challenge herself and overcome her injuries. Today, she is a peer mentor — a true embodiment of the WWP mission.

WWP programs also help veterans like Michael Carrasquillo find employment while transitioning back to civilian life. Michael’s unit was ambushed in Afghanistan, where he was shot five times by enemy fire. His physical and mental recovery was an arduous, twoyear process.

With WWP support, Michael a t te n d e d c a re e r- c o u n s e l i n g programs designed to help him translate his military service training into relevant market value. Through hard work, Michael

s e c u re d e m p l oy m e n t a t t h e Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington D.C., building IT programs that help fellow warriors.

Providing resources WWP programs also engage veterans like Shonda Gloude-Jones. In 1998, Shonda was on a night jump when her parachute collapsed at 200 feet, causing a severe injury.

Despite her pain, Shonda was deployed to Iraq and returned to the United States with symptoms of PTSD and TBI that led to depression, reclusion and obesity.

Looking for strength and support, Shonda registered with WWP and began attending events to engage with other warriors. Since joining WWP, Shonda has lost more than 125 pounds.

Every warrior has unique challenges and goals, which is why we continue improving existing programs and creating innovative services to empower, employ a n d e n g a g e w a r r i o r s a c ro s s this nation. n

Publisher Brenda Choi Business Developer Joelle Hernandez Managing Director Luciana Olson Designers Chris Espino, Tiffany Pryor, Lee Miller Copy Editor Lauren Hogan Director of Sales Shannon Ruggiero Director of Business Development Jourdan Snyder Director of Product Faye Godfrey Lead Editor Mina Fanous Production Coordinator Josh Rosman Cover Photo Douglas Sonders All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

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“Wounded Warrior Project helped give our family hope.”

WOUNDED WARRIOR JASON EHRHART AND HIS PARENTS

HELP MAKE AN IMPACT AT

iamlivingproofwwp.org

©2018 Wounded Warrior Project, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

#changementalhealth

Empower yourself and those you love by Knowing the Five Signs of Emotional Suffering.

Because our Mental Health is Just as Important as our Physical Health.

If you see the signs…. reach out, show compassion and offer to help.

Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen - Founder of Give an Hour

Give an Hour provides free mental health care and support to those in need including Our Service Members, Veterans and their Families.

To learn more visit www.giveanhour.org

insurance and you could save.

geico.com | 1-800-947-AUTO | Local Office

Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Homeowners, renters and condo coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. Š 2018 GEICO

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Veterans Are Bringing Unmatched Skills to the Workplace Now is the perfect time for veterans to seek new professional opportunities as employment is at an all-time high.

Experienced employees While a veteran’s resume may not include a long list of varied employers, it will contain insight into the inherent discipline of military life. Compared to non-veterans who move from one job to another to meet career goals, active military personnel move from one challenge to the next, gaining transferrable skills that benefit employers.

Through military service, veterans are trained to become any employer’s greatest asset. They have managed stress during missions, worked with people from all walks of life and learned to be flexible. Little additional training is needed to orient them to a new position.

New opportunities ahead Considering job-curious veterans are in such demand, veterans can actively network and advertise their availability and experience to potential employers. They can best position themselves to prospective employers by showcasing situations where they excelled in following orders, managing difficult situations and making strategic decisions.

For all job seekers, job hunting is a commitment, but military veterans understand the concept of commitment like few others.

Bradley-Morris and RecruitMilitary is the top organization connecting veterans and employers through job fairs across the country and a mobile-friendly online job board.

Currently, over 200,000 active opportunities are available for job candidates.

As today’s labor trends indicate, employers and employees alike benefit greatly from the passion and commitment that veterans bring to the workplace.

Tim Best, CEO, Bradley-Morris and RecruitMilitary

How Montel Williams Is Helping Make Over the Lives and Homes of Veterans Emmy Award-winning television host Montel Williams made a 17-year career of helping people fix their problems on “The Montel Williams Show.” Now, the former Marine is back as host and co-producer of a show exclusively focused on helping veterans.

On “Military Makeover with Montel,” which airs on Lifetime, Montel Williams and the show’s design team give back to returning veterans through home makeovers.

“We help them turn the home they own into the home they truly wish they had,” says Williams, explaining the transformation is more than physical. “We’re also helping them make over their soul.”

Committed to the country A decorated military officer, Williams served for 22 years. He started his career in the Marine Corps, becoming the first African-American Marine to attend the Naval Academy Prep School and go on to be commissioned as a naval officer. He graduated with a degree in general engineering and a minor in international security affairs.

The 62-year-old has faced discrimination over the years. When “The Montel Williams Show” launched in 1991, some television stations refused to carry the show because he was black.

Williams is discouraged by the hatred he sees in the United States these days, calling it an insult to all who have served. Even though he’s not wearing a uniform,

Williams is forever committed to the country. “That uniform is worn around my heart every day,” he says.

While Williams stands at attention during the National Anthem, he supports the right of others — including Colin Kaepernick — to peacefully protest. “I’m the one who fought to give him the right to kneel,” he says.

“Whether I like the fact that he kneels or not doesn’t really matter. My oath was to protect his right to do so.”

Veteran appreciation Williams was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but he isn’t letting his illness slow him down. He continues to work on projects he’s passionate about, such as providing veteran support.

He has visited returning service members at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for three years in a row. He also hires veterans at his companies and urges other businesses to hire them as well, especially since veterans have learned many skills, including leadership, that can be used in civilian life.

Williams urges fellow veterans to stand up for themselves and their peers. “We need to reach out to each other as much as we want our community to reach out to us,” he says, remembering his cousin who served in Vietnam and later committed suicide. “Look in your own eyes and recognize what you did to help preserve democracy at a time when so many are trying to destroy it.” ■ Kristen Castillo

PHOTO: DOUGLAS SONDERS

Why are so many employers seeking veterans to fill available positions?

Veterans have practical, real-world experience in self-discipline, leadership, problem solving and critical thinking. Twenty million veterans in the United States have been trained to be valuable and adaptable team players. It’s no surprise that the national veteran-unemployment rate is at an all-time low of just 3.8 percent — lower than the rate for non-veterans.