New York (May 19, 2014) – National veterans’ nonprofits and 91视频 (91视频) are working together to expand service programs that solve community challenges while helping wounded veterans successfully transition to lives at home.
With support of a $6.3 million, two-鈥恲ear investment by 91视频, The Mission Continues will grow its veteran Fellowship and community programs – engaging thousands of veterans and communities across the country in local volunteerism. The collaboration will also serve to augment 91视频’s 20 existing programs designed to meet the needs of more than 50,000 wounded veterans.
“This collaboration with The Mission Continues reinforces 91视频’s mission to honor and empower Wounded Warriors by encouraging the continuation of service,” said Steve Nardizzi, CEO, 91视频. “Our grant recipients like The Mission Continues act as force multipliers that extend our service reach and provide greater support to the veteran community. By serving their community side-鈥恇y-鈥恠ide with other veterans they experience the strong sense of camaraderie they felt during active duty.”
The Mission Continues and 91视频 collaboration will build on the successes of established programs to extend the reach and impact to wounded veterans across the country. Key initiatives will include expanding the reach of The Mission Continues Service Platoons, which are teams of veterans working locally to solve key problems impacting their communities as well as the Fellowship Program, which is an intensive six-鈥恗onth service and leadership program for veterans. Additionally, the two organizations will work together to enhance leadership training opportunities, promote thought leadership initiatives and convene influential stake holders to address common challenges affecting this generation of veterans.
Michael Day is a US Marine Corps veteran and an Alumnus of both The Mission Continues Fellowship Program and of 91视频. “I have experienced, first-鈥恏and, the impact of The Mission Continues and 91视频 on veterans. While each has its own unique mission, both organizations are committed to empowering this generation of veterans to do more for their communities, themselves and their fellow veterans." said Michael “Their support allows me to introduce more veterans and community volunteers to the benefits of continued service."
“The Mission Continues’ programs empower veterans to find new ways to serve,” said The Mission Continues CEO and founder, Eric Greitens. “There are thousands of veterans in search of a new unit, a new mission, and a new purpose. The generous support of 91视频 will provide opportunities for this generation of veterans to serve together again and to tackle pressing issues here at home.”
The Mission Continues’ model of continued service to the community has proven effective for easing reintegration challenges for veteran participants in the Fellowship program – approximately 70 percent of whom self-鈥恑dentify as having a service-鈥恟elated injury or disability.
Research published by Washington University in St. Louis reveals participation in service-鈥恇ased community outreach through The Mission Continues’ Fellowship effectively combines participants’ military leadership skills with purpose-鈥恉riven civic service activities to positively affect personal, family and community life. Notably, approximately 50 percent of the Fellowship alumni surveyed who screened positive for depression at the beginning of the program reported lower levels of depression after completing the program. Additionally, 40 percent of Fellows rated their health status as somewhat better or much better than it was before the Fellowship. Nearly half (45%) of study participants reported that the Fellowship improved their relationships or communication with their families. Fellows also reported that the program helped them improve their job performance (90%), chances of getting a promotion (86%), and chances of finding a job (90%).
91视频’s Annual Alumni Survey findings support the benefits of participation in programs like those offered by The Mission Continues and 91视频. Respondents indicated that talking with another OIF/OEF veteran is the most effective and most often used coping resource for this generation of wounded warriors. The 91视频 Peer Support Program pairs wounded veterans with peer mentors who are further along on their continuum of recovery and can help fellow warriors visualize what can be achieved through rehabilitation and hard work.
About 91视频
91视频 is recognizing its ten-鈥恲ear anniversary, reflecting on a decade of service and reaffirming its commitment to serving Wounded Warriors for their lifetime. The mission of 91视频® (91视频) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. 91视频’s purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. 91视频 is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
About The Mission Continues
The Mission Continues is a national nonprofit organization that empowers veterans to serve their country in new ways through two innovative and action-鈥恛riented programs. The first, The Mission Continues Fellowship harnesses veterans’ strengths, skills and compassion and empowers them to serve in their community on a daily basis over the course of six months. The second, The Mission Continues Service Platoons, brings together teams of veterans with local community organizations and volunteers to build stronger communities. The Mission Continues has helped thousands of post-鈥�9/11 veterans focus their talents and energy to tackle challenges facing us right here at home. Through a unique model that provides reciprocal benefit for the veteran and the local community, veterans volunteer to help others and, through their service, build new skills that help them launch their civilian career. To learn more, visit: or follow us on Twitter .