What types of organizations can a veteran join to help their communities?

SPC Makissa Lewis — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 06:18:03 -0400

Last night I read the article below that left me sad at first and then wanting to do something. I feel as a veteran there must be something I can do. But, I just don't know of any existing organizations in the South Florida area.

http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/kalief-browder-1993-2015

Kalief Browder, 1993–2015 - The New Yorker

The twenty-two-year-old, who endured three years on Rikers Island without a trial, committed suicide on Saturday.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jun 8 at 2015 6:22 AM

PO3 David Fries — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 06:22:38 -0400

Generally, the easiest to look for are American Legion, and the VFW. They are both very community oriented. You can also look at Disabled Veterans of America, or Wounded Warrior.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jun 8 at 2015 6:24 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 06:24:21 -0400

There are many. It is basically what you want to volunteer for. Check with American Legion and VFW, they may be able to help you. Also google is a great place to look.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jun 8 at 2015 9:26 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 09:26:49 -0400

There are a bunch I'm sure, you just need to figure out what type of organization you want to volunteer with. Sure the VFW and the Legion are great if you want to work along side other Veterans but there are other non-military related organizations that you can look into. Programs like Big Brother/Big Sister, the Goodwill, United Way, soup kitchens, and so many more are looking for willing and able to hands to help as well. The first step is to figure out what you feel you are being called to do to continue giving yourself a task and purpose.

Response by SPC Makissa Lewis made Jun 8 at 2015 9:44 AM

SPC Makissa Lewis — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 09:44:16 -0400

Thank you all for those who responded. I am trying to be part of the Mission Continues organization. :)

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 8 at 2015 10:18 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 10:18:05 -0400

CERT Community Emergency Response Team. Many towns and cities have them. Open to anyone, its a great way to get involved and utilize your military skills as related to leadership, organization, disaster preparedness, first aid and anything else you can think of.

https://www.fema.gov/community-emergency-response-teams

Community Emergency Response Teams | FEMA.gov

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when...

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 8 at 2015 10:22 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 10:22:13 -0400

What was your MOS?
You might get a lot of enjoyment using your service skills directly as opposed to learning to build a house (or something).

Response by LCpl Craig D. Pfautz made Jun 8 at 2015 10:24 AM

LCpl Craig D. Pfautz — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 10:24:48 -0400

GO TO YOUR LOCAL SOUP KITCHEN OR CHURCH FOOD PANTRY & HELP HAND OUT FOOD...

Response by CPT James Hubbard made Jun 10 at 2015 1:58 PM

CPT James Hubbard — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 13:58:18 -0400

The American Legion, ELKS, VFW, Eagles, Rotary, Moose, and a host of others. How would you like to help. Figure that out then reach out to one or more of these organizations and tell them you would like to help.

Response by SGT Loren Hammons made Jun 10 at 2015 2:00 PM

SGT Loren Hammons — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 14:00:15 -0400

Concerned Veterans for America CV4A
The VFW - may have to start a program
The American Legion
IAVA
Or Volunteer with service organizations such as The Salvation Army.

Mostly you have to actually look to get into something and find the perfect fit.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 2:08 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 14:08:48 -0400

Habitat for humanity is one of my personal favorites

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 2:26 PM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 14:26:05 -0400

Many organizations are available but many have the same problems as veterans groups, no participation by members. I see other towns around me with active, vibrant organizations but in my town, they are almost closed up or do the bare minimum. You have to check them out first and find out how much they participate in the community. My Masonic lodge is about the only organization in the county that still is active and does things.

Response by PO2 Doug Niergarth made Jun 10 at 2015 3:26 PM

PO2 Doug Niergarth — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 15:26:57 -0400

There are quite a few different ways you could go about volunteering. You have groups like Kiwanis, Rotary, Optimist, VFW and others that require dues payment on a regular basis. These folks will have a set batch of volunteering opportunities that you will need to make a commitment to. In order to add your own personal agenda to the fold you may have to spend a few years and perhaps take the presidency in order to make the push.
Other opportunities would be through the little festivals that you find scattered through communities everywhere. These opportunities will be pretty focused on what their event is all about. The great thing about these is that if the event drew you, you'll meet a bunch of like minded that you can easily hang around with while you do whats needed for the event.

Response by MSG Tim Donahue, M.Ed. made Jun 10 at 2015 4:04 PM

MSG Tim Donahue, M.Ed. — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 16:04:03 -0400

If you have kids - join their school's PTO or PTA - those organizations can really use someone with a military background - we know how to organize and get things done

Response by SSgt Chris Frey made Jun 10 at 2015 4:49 PM

SSgt Chris Frey — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 16:49:41 -0400

Themissioncontinues Google it they pay for you to work for nonprofits I know we always need the extra cash and this is a way to make a difference and get paid.

Response by SrA Bonnie Porter made Jun 10 at 2015 5:46 PM

SrA Bonnie Porter — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 17:46:15 -0400

I have tried to join the American Legion. My time of service during the Cold War does not qualify me. My life was on the line every time those wheels left the ground. But, all that qualifies me for is the auxiliary. Great, another place a woman can clean up after the men. Where are the military service organizations? Since of course MY SERVICE DOESNT COUNT!!!

Response by SSgt Harold Standley made Jun 10 at 2015 5:52 PM

SSgt Harold Standley — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 17:52:04 -0400

Ones I can suggest that are great organizations I have worked with are Team Rubicon http://www.teamrubiconusa.org/ and The Mission Continues https://www.missioncontinues.org/

Response by PO1 Richard Schneider made Jun 10 at 2015 7:08 PM

PO1 Richard Schneider — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 19:08:14 -0400

On a purely local level you can reach out through a local temple, synagogue, or church. You may need to chat with a few of them before you find one that can point you in the right direction.

Nextdoor is a Social Media platform for neighborhoods. https://nextdoor.com/find-neighborhood/fl/ is a list of florida communities that are currently participating, This is relatively new and may not have much in your area.

I'm not sure about your relationship with the VA but their clinics and hospitals frequently need volunteers as well.

Finally, If you have a stable home with a little extra space, you could even consider being a foster parent. Agencies need help ranging from 24-72hr emergency placements to long term care. One warning, while it is very rewarding, it can also be heartbreaking.

Response by PO2 Marcus Waller made Jun 10 at 2015 7:44 PM

PO2 Marcus Waller — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 19:44:47 -0400

There are quite a few out there to join, DAV, VFW, and a little known one the VMW, Veterans of Modern Warfare which deal with veterans from 1991 and on. It all depends on what you want to do and how much. Each group will have their own agenda and you have to make that decision. I am with the DAV and t6he VMW plus work with a church group with teens do service work in the community, if I can help look me up on face book

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 8:02 PM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 20:02:11 -0400

Makissa,
I did a fellowship for the Mission Continues and I lead the Pittsburgh Service Platoon. Tell them James O'Connor sent you! Good luck!

Response by SSG Dennis Landen made Jun 11 at 2015 7:59 AM

SSG Dennis Landen — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 07:59:07 -0400

SPC Lewis
I am from Wisconsin and I belong to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Our Post does a lot of comminuty service. We have Veterans from WW2 to present. You might want to check one out

Response by Cpl Joe Schlabach made Jun 11 at 2015 12:54 PM

Cpl Joe Schlabach — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 12:54:40 -0400

Think about becoming a fellow at the Mission Continues. They give a lot of leeway to shape what you want to do. As long as the project you want to do is service oriented they are usually ok with it and they give you a living stipend as well.

Response by PFC Damon Graham made Jun 11 at 2015 3:17 PM

PFC Damon Graham — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 15:17:43 -0400

Team Rubicon http://www.teamrubiconusa.org is a great one.

Response by Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay made Jun 11 at 2015 9:33 PM

Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 21:33:37 -0400

Veterans For Peace is a registered non-profit, 501 C-3 organization. All volunteer, been around for decades, has representation in the UN as an NGO. it encourages nonviolent, political activity; educates the public on the costs of war. They are involved in the Vietnam Friendship Village, the Iraq Water Project and a variety of Arlington-inspired projects.

Response by MAJ Shawn McLain made Jun 16 at 2015 2:39 PM

MAJ Shawn McLain — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 14:39:24 -0400

Response by MAJ Shawn McLain made Jun 16 at 2015 2:41 PM

MAJ Shawn McLain — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 14:41:33 -0400

Combat Vet Motorcycle Association is another group that does tremendous working for and within our veteran communities.

https://www.combatvet.org/

Response by SN Gs Crable Sr. made Nov 27 at 2015 4:48 AM

SN Gs Crable Sr. — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 04:48:38 -0500

I fundraise for a 501c3 charity that addresses veterans homelessness all year long, where it matters most-
At the street level.

While others discuss the rhetoric, this Vet-run, non-profit org. is on the front lines daily, with clothing drives, meals, temp. housing referrals, and short-term employment opportunities to those in need.

Small donations are welcome, and can help. Giving shouldn't have to hurt. We get that.

Can you find $40.00 to help a few destitute men and women receive care packages, hygiene kits, and cold weather clothing? (includes distribution of coats, socks, gloves, blankets, and tents.)

If so, let the Season of Giving begin, here: 》
youcaring.com/
helpneedyvetshere

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Happy Thanksgiving!
Season Greetings to all-
Greg C.
USN Vet.
Portland, OR