November 7, 2007

 

 

Dear Family and Friends,

 

I hope this letter finds you all doing well and looking forward to the holiday season. As some of you know, since returning from Iraq in 2005, I have been dealing with a great deal of residual effects of the war; as have many of my fellow Veterans. It seems as if every day I read an article or hear a report on the news regarding the inability of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense to provide timely and adequate care for our Veterans and their families. This deficiency has become most evident as the system attempts to identify and appropriately treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can be a very debilitating reaction to the trauma witnessed in combat. It can and often does prevent the Veteran from reintegrating properly back into family and society. Results range from anxiety, anger, depression, divorce, to even suicide. The current system in place to treat Veterans suffering from symptoms of PTSD is simply overburdened with as many as 1 in 5 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans returning with some degree of PTSD. There is a dire need for assistance; that is why a fellow Marine, Aaron Scott, and I have started a non-profit organization named Veteran Outreach, Inc. To date, we have incorporated and filed for our IRS 501(c)(3) designation. This will allow us to receive grants, government contracts, and individual contributions to build this non-profit into a first class organization.

 

There are two primary programs that we will start immediately. The first will be a counseling program where Veterans and their families can receive individual and group counseling focused on supporting their mental health and well being. The program will be administered by licensed clinicians in the San Antonio area with group sessions lead by clinicians and peers. The second program will be one based upon a mentorship between Veterans of previous wars and this new generation of Veterans. Both of these programs will foster and assist in the Veteran’s reintegration into what most consider “every day life.”

 

We believe; whole-heartedly; in this cause and thus, have been spurred into service again based upon our own experiences and those of our fellow Veterans. We would like to ask that you join this fight with us. We have set February 1^st as our official operational start date. In order to do so we will be writing a multitude of grants, setting up our support structure, and seeking contributions from any and all who desire to help. Once approved, the 501(c)(3) exemption will allow all contribution made to be tax deductible for the donor. Any donations made prior to this approval will also be tax deductible during this tax year. Operating funds are the primary need for Veteran Outreach at this time as the cost associated with the first year of operations is where most non-profit organizations fall by the wayside. If you can help out now or in the future we would greatly appreciate it.

 

Thank you for taking the time to reflect on a small but significant way all of us can give back to those who have sacrificed so much. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions about Veteran Outreach, and please take the time to pass this letter along to anyone who may also be interested in assisting our efforts. Again, I hope this finds you all well.

Copyright © 2007 Veteran Outreach, Inc. All Rights Reserved.