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WASHINGTON D.C. (February 13, 2008) - Wounded servicemembers
have a helping hand available when it comes to transitioning back
into their communities.
The VetConnect program is designed to "provide wounded warriors
with a critical link to resources … and to engage local community
and business leaders in the reorientation of disabled veterans to
their communities," Scott Heintz, the program's director, said.
The program is run by "Enable America," a non-profit group
dedicated to increasing employment opportunities for Americans with
disabilities.
VetConnect also offers early intervention support by matching
wounded warriors with casualty mentors and coordinating their
participation in wellness activities, he said. This program has
been expanded to wounded special operations troops through the Care
Coalition Recovery Pilot Program. The program, similar to
VetConnect's mentoring program, was developed and implemented with
the help of U.S. Special Operations Command.
"The objective of the pilot program is to improve the recovery
outcome of special operations forces wounded warriors through the
early introduction of casualty mentors and wellness activities
designed to boost wounded warriors' confidence and self-esteem,"
Heintz said.
The mentors, wounded warriors themselves, are matched with a
newly wounded warrior and trained to provide support and guidance
throughout and beyond the recovery process. The matches are made
based on similarity of injures, unit affiliations and family
situations.
"Mentors offer valuable insight and counsel from the perspective
of someone who has successfully navigated similar physical and
emotional challenges," Heintz said. "Spouses and family members of
wounded (special operations force members) also serve as mentors
and provide guidance to their counterparts."
When servicemembers and their family members are ready to try
Enable America's wellness activities, the organization will help
them find the right one. All of the activities -- camping, skiing,
yoga and photography, to name a few -- are offered through
organizations that are able to accommodate the participant's
needs.
"As their recovery progresses, Enable America provides wounded
warriors and their families with access to a comprehensive network
of community and employment resources," Heintz said. "The final
component of the program is that of providing the wounded warrior
with an employment resource network that will (offer) them
meaningful and challenging work that is commensurate with their
unique skill sets."
Enable America recently became a supporter of America Supports
You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies
with servicemembers and their families serving and home and
abroad.
"(America Supports You) provides us with the opportunity to
network with other supporting organizations as well as to increase
our exposure to those who would benefit from our services," Heintz
said.
Editor's Note: To find out about more individuals,
groups and organizations that are helping support the troops,
visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. America
Supports You directly connects military members to the support of
the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their
quest to find meaningful ways to support the military
community.
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