Injured Veterans Continue Serving Through Charity
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Sept. 5, 2017) – Each week, hundreds of injured veterans from more than 40 Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) veteran peer support groups across the country meet and participate in activities ranging from group support meetings to community service projects. While their military service has ended, their commitment to service remains – and so they delve deep into their communities and local charities.
Reconnecting warriors to one another in the civilian world is critical to healing, which is why WWP serves them through its Peer Support program (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/peer-support) by fusing supportive rehabilitation with the military adage “Leave No Man Behind.” This warrior-to-warrior support is a special type of therapy that reintroduces injured veterans to the unique bonds experienced during military service.
“I always enjoy volunteering in my community,” said TeakSafiya Wilson, U.S. Army National Guard injured veteran and WWP Peer Support participant from Atlanta, Georgia. "But doing it with fellow service members makes the experience more rewarding and is just a great way to keep us involved in the community."
Peer Support groups are facilitated by warrior leaders who WWP has selected for demonstrating leadership strengths and the ability to help fellow wounded veterans who are in need. They are volunteers who must be willing to commit eight to 10 hours a month to the support group they lead – after attending a mandatory, extensive, multi-day training seminar to help them support their WWP peers on the path to healing.
Through WWP's warrior-to-warrior support program, wounded service members and caregivers find encouragement and connection through their shared experiences. It’s beyond volunteerism; it becomes service, renewed.
In honor of International Day of Charity, WWP is proud to recognize the selfless service of all volunteers. For more information on Peer Support and all of WWP’s free veterans programs and services, please contact the WWP Resource Center at 888.WWP.ALUM (997.2586), 904.405.1213, or resourcecenter@woundedwarriorproject.org.
To learn and see more about how WWP’s Peer Support program connects, serves, and empowers wounded warriors, visit https://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org.
About Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) connects, serves, and empowers wounded warriors. Read more at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/mission