The project I am proposing is an idea I have had for some time. The idea is based on the YMCA of Metro Chicago’s Urban Warrior program. The program partnered military veterans and gang involved youth in a 16 week mentorship program. A gap in services I worked on at the YMCA was to provide continued services and support for veterans in the program. One challenged the veterans faced as that many had never sought mental health treatment and through the program because retraumatized by hearing other veteran and youth narratives. There are 62k veterans in Macomb County, and 260k veterans in the tri-county area. Of the 62k veterans in Macomb County, only 9k have registered with the VA hospital. This means that over 40 of veterans have never stepped foot inside of a VA hospital. The suicide rates among post 9/11 veterans in michigan is higher than the national average.
This program is primarily a suicide prevention strategy that seeks to strengthen preventative factors among veterans through peer support, facilitated conversation and that allow veterans to role play or practice using a concept. The Veteran Resilience Bootcamp would allow me to demonstrate my understanding of UDL practices. The main challenge will be adapting elements from the Urban Warrior program which was separated male and female cohorts. I the veteran helping community the majority of group are also gender segregated. One obstacle to overcome is creating a space can contain difficult subjects and maintain emotional safety.
“No one trains us to be veterans. The military shows us how to be sailors, soldiers, marines and airmen. and they make some attempts to help us return to civilian life But there is no return to a pre-military service state. We are changed and much change again. And the only thing in society that is ready able to teach a veteran how to become a veteran is another veteran. “ The program would help veterans learn to better identify goals, create plans and develop community with other veterans. “A veteran who comes home from war is returning from one of the most intense experiences a human being can have. Even if he was not under fire every day, he woke up every morning as part of a team. He started every day with a purpose, and a mission that mattered to those around him.”
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Maslow’s Hierarchy is model of human needs which makes the case that order of needs are in order from greater importance to less importance. Physiological needs are viewed as a base upon which holds up the upper tiers. Without safety how can we love? Without self esteem how can we see the bigger picture that allows up to grow? Military Service members and Veteran’s, specifically post/911 veterans, are trained to accomplish mission before all else (Combat. Lt. Dave Grossman). The veteran’s mind has been reframed by bootcamp, advanced training and operational experience to align all task with mission. When service members leave the military. This new orientation to veterans is seen in by evidence of organization like Mission Continues, Team RWB, and Team Rubicon (Team RWB has data ask shane) . All three organizations formed after 9/11 to meet the need of Veterans
Unlike legacy organizations like AMVETs, VFWS, and American Legions the post 9/11 Veteran organizations are volunteer driven, do not have local buildings for chapters. Events are organized around activities. For example, Team RWB’s mission is to “enrich the lives of American’s Veterans through physical and social activities. In Team RWB veterans and non-veterans attend fitness and social activism together. While the post 9/11 veteran organizations are leading the way in new ways to organize veterans, there is still a significant population of veterans whom are isolated and have difficulty, socializing, finding purpose, and meaning in life. (62k Veterans in Macomb County 9k have registered with the VA) The combination of disability paychecks, lack of activities and lack of lack of a sense of direction often create situations that trap veterans in immobility.
Veteran Resiliency Bootcamp is a 7-session program seeking to support veterans in gaining a greater understanding of their emotional and special needs, create a socio-emotional learning community that supports and continues to support each other after the program. The program will use a combination of peace circle to support personal and social exploration and activities to reinforce concepts and provide practice modeling and practice of social-emotional learning. Recipients will be provided with a release waiver, pre/post surveys and survey 6 months after completing program.
