
12/25/2020
Happy holidays from all of us here at America's Warrior Partnership! We hope your holiday season is full of peace, joy, and happiness.
America's Warrior Partnership's Four Star Alliance provides recreational services to military, veterans, their families, and caregivers across the nation.
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Please follow our main page, www.facebook.com/AWPartnership, for all news and updates. In the aftermath of Post-911 conflicts more than 650,000 service members are returning home with disabilities that will require continued care. As a result of the private sector’s unprecedented support, we have seen a niche market arise in providing therapeutic outdoor experiences for Our Military Family. As a new industry, this niche is experiencing growing pains. To effectively provide recreation services, the following needs must be met: • The need for unified research efforts to prove service efficacy • The need for establishing standards of practice and codes of ethics to improve service delivery • The need for effective communication between service providers to create and maintain a quality continuum of care • The need to develop focused education and training protocol to improve the competence of the service providers while meeting Our Military Family’s needs • The need to maintain economic viability while programs and networks are created and/or expanded In November of 2012, R4 Alliance was formed to meet these needs. A workshop was hosted with eight of the top nonprofit programs providing recreation services to Our Military Family from across the nation. Working with the founding members were representatives from the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Secretary of the Army, the Veterans Administration, and representatives from Our Military Family. A second workshop hosted in June 2013 brought on new founding members, further defined the Alliance mission/vision/objectives, and laid the foundation for a strategic plan. In February 2014, R4 Alliance gained formal 501c3 status in only 4 months. A recently concluded third workshop brought it all together and adopted the following: Alliance Objectives • Create and utilize collaborative Research and evaluation tools providing a substantial evidence base to: advocate recreation as a crucial component to health and wellness, disseminate findings through the medical community, and provide protocol for individualized client treatment plans • Serve as a nationally recognized alliance of service providers promoting Standards of Excellence developed and driven by our membership organizations to ensure effective recreation services to Our Military Family • Provide information sharing systems facilitating communication between service providers necessary for a collaborative Continuum of Care to ensure the highest quality of service provision • Establish Education and Training guidelines to facilitate the distribution of our collective experience and knowledge • Enhance funding and Economic Viability through creative private sector fundraising initiatives and securing private and public grants
Please follow our main page, www.facebook.com/AWPartnership, for all news and updates. In the aftermath of Post-911 conflicts more than 650,000 service members are returning home with disabilities that will require continued care. As a result of the private sector’s unprecedented support, we have seen a niche market arise in providing therapeutic outdoor experiences for Our Military Family. As a new industry, this niche is experiencing growing pains. To effectively provide recreation services, the following needs must be met: • The need for unified research efforts to prove service efficacy • The need for establishing standards of practice and codes of ethics to improve service delivery • The need for effective communication between service providers to create and maintain a quality continuum of care • The need to develop focused education and training protocol to improve the competence of the service providers while meeting Our Military Family’s needs • The need to maintain economic viability while programs and networks are created and/or expanded In November of 2012, R4 Alliance was formed to meet these needs. A workshop was hosted with eight of the top nonprofit programs providing recreation services to Our Military Family from across the nation. Working with the founding members were representatives from the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Secretary of the Army, the Veterans Administration, and representatives from Our Military Family. A second workshop hosted in June 2013 brought on new founding members, further defined the Alliance mission/vision/objectives, and laid the foundation for a strategic plan. In February 2014, R4 Alliance gained formal 501c3 status in only 4 months. A recently concluded third workshop brought it all together and adopted the following: Alliance Objectives • Create and utilize collaborative Research and evaluation tools providing a substantial evidence base to: advocate recreation as a crucial component to health and wellness, disseminate findings through the medical community, and provide protocol for individualized client treatment plans • Serve as a nationally recognized alliance of service providers promoting Standards of Excellence developed and driven by our membership organizations to ensure effective recreation services to Our Military Family • Provide information sharing systems facilitating communication between service providers necessary for a collaborative Continuum of Care to ensure the highest quality of service provision • Establish Education and Training guidelines to facilitate the distribution of our collective experience and knowledge • Enhance funding and Economic Viability through creative private sector fundraising initiatives and securing private and public grants
Mission: America’s Warrior Partnership’s Four Star Alliance was formed to leverage national and local resources to help member organizations serve more warriors and build stronger programs.
Operating as usual
Happy holidays from all of us here at America's Warrior Partnership! We hope your holiday season is full of peace, joy, and happiness.
Four Star member, Deep Sea Valkyries, is accepting applications for their 2021 combat trauma counseling retreat, Operation Phantom Thunder. The deadline to apply is Dec. 31st.
Learn more: https://www.deepseavalkyries.com
Get ready for an exciting start to 2021 with our January Battle Rhythm! Our guest speakers from Institute for Veterans and Military Families - IVMF and Hiring Our Heroes will discuss veteran and military spouse career development on Jan. 4, 2021, at 2pm EST.
Register today: http://ow.ly/rNdl50COlWZ
Did you know, every Battle Rhythm from this past year is available on our website?
Visit americaswarriorpartnership.org/battlerhythm for the entire archive of this valuable resource for veterans, family members, and caregivers.
#veterans #veteransupport #empoweredveteran
Battle Rhythms are collaborative presentations hosted by America's Warrior Partnership that provide resources and information to the benefit of veterans, their families, caregivers, and other veteran-serving organizations/professionals.
As promised, here's our President & CEO, Jim Lorraine, with a Navy blue beard!
We sincerely thank everyone who contributed to America’s Warrior Partnership for #GivingTuesday and helped us surpass our goal of 50 new donations. As a reminder, you can continue to support our #EmpowerVeterans campaign until 12/31/20 at americaswarriorpartnership.org/giving.
We announced today that three of our partner organizations would receive adaptive clothing as a part of the Runway of Dreams Foundation and Seven7 Jeans donation to communities in need. #EmpoweredVeteran #Veterans #Collaboration
Full press release: http://ow.ly/hJsL50CLWfn
Please join us in welcoming On Course Foundation and Operation Motorsport to the Four Star Alliance! Both organizations provide unique opportunities and activities that enable veterans and their families to stay connected, active, and integrated in their communities.
Full Press Release: http://ow.ly/zULG50CCWwU
The Empowered Report for the month of November is out now! Catch up on our organization's latest news and events from this past month.
You can read it here, along with our previous editions: ow.ly/S3Eu50BH1xx
On behalf of veterans, THANK YOU to everyone who donated and helped us reach our #GivingTuesday goal! With your help, we raised funds to improve the quality of life of #veterans throughout the country.
And because we met our goal, stay tuned for Jim Lorraine's blue beard!
For the price of a cup of coffee, you can help make a difference in the life of a #veteran through America's Warrior Partnership. Your contribution will help us sustain valuable programs and services that veterans throughout the country rely on to meet and address their evolving needs.
Any amount given today will go towards our #GivingTuesday goal of reaching 50 donations. Also, if you would like to see our CEO and President, Jim Lorraine, dye his beard #Navy blue, help us get there!
#Give #Engage and #Empower Today: http://ow.ly/kUhr50Cnacj
Help us get a head start on our #GivingTuesday2020 goals. Starting today, you can donate towards our goal of reaching 50 donations, at any dollar amount. Your donation will help us #empower communities to empower #veterans.
Donate now: http://ow.ly/KQGw50ClZg8
From all of us here at America's Warrior Partnership, Happy Thanksgiving. Be kind, be thankful.
#HappyThanksgiving #EmpoweredVeteran #Thankful
Register now for our December Battle Rhythm on Dec. 7, 2020, 2pm - 3pm ET. Our guest speakers from Bank of America and Money Management International will discuss the important topic of how to strengthen the financial wellness of veterans and their families.
Register now: http://ow.ly/THUe50Ch1wM
From November 2, 2020 to December 31, 2020, you can help America's Warrior Partnership #empower communities to empower #veterans. Donate to our 2020 end-of-year giving campaign, #EmpowerVeterans, to support valuable programs and services that veterans throughout the country rely on to meet and address their evolving needs.
Give. Engage. Empower.
https://www.americaswarriorpartnership.org/giving
Participate in America's Warrior Partnership's End-of-Year giving campaign to give, engage, and empower veterans.
Congratulations to Four Star member Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc.. on their film, "God's Country," for being selected to the 2020 BZN International Film Festival. http://ow.ly/a7yC50ANtnv
We are pleased to announce that “God's Country” has been selected for the 2020 BZN International Film Festival. Written by Captain Rob Fordyce and Directed by Reid Ogden, this short film follows Sgt. Jim Graham U.S. Army (ret) on a special trip to Freedom Ranch for Heroes in Wise River, Montana ...
Rep. Jared Golden, a Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said the free access is “a small but meaningful way for our country to thank Gold Star Families.” #empoweredveteran #recreation
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a proposal from two Maine lawmakers to give families of fallen military service members free access to national parks.
Four Star Alliance member Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. continues to prove the success of therapeutic outdoor recreation by its successful application of the sport of fly fishing, as a rehabilitation tool for veterans. #empoweredveteran #recreation
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — What can we give to someone who’s risked it all overseas? The answer is simple for Parkersburg resident Bubba Holt: Healing. “Healing Waters had just started – it was only a couple years old – and I didn’t know a lot about it,” Holt said. “I was asked to come dow...
Mental health therapy can come in many different forms. Four Star Alliance member StableStrides continues to improve the well-being of our nation's veterans, through a connection with horses. #empoweredveteran #recreation
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns there's a surging mental health crisis in our communities. Just a short drive from Colorado Springs you'll find the Stable Strides horse ranch where horses and mental health pros are teaming together and are ready to help.
These specialized rehabilitation events aim to optimize Veterans’ independence, community engagement, well-being and quality of life. #empoweredveteran
Veterans representing 36 states, the Virgin Islands and 61 medical centers competed in the VA 2020 National Veteran Golden Age Games.
"Recreation in our national parks and public lands can be a valuable healing tool for veterans living with physical and emotional wounds as a result of their service," said Sen. Jon Tester of Montana.
The Wounded Veterans Recreation Act now goes to the House for consideration.
Please join us in welcoming Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) into the alliance! We're delighted to accept such a caring organization that provides compassionate care and survivor support services for the families of America’s fallen military heroes.
America’s Warrior Partnership announced today that the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), the nation’s leading organization providing compassionate care and survivor support …
An interesting study involving equine therapy will examine equine and human health in the treatment of PTS, specifically within the New Jersey veteran population.
The Equine Science Center has announced its fundraising initiative kickoff for a large-scale research project focusing on Equine Assisted Activities & Therapies (EAAT) for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which will coincide with June’s Month of the Horse in New Jersey. The rese...
This past March, Four Star member Project Sanctuary held a therapeutic retreat for military families. Project Sanctuary works hard to remove the barriers and build a network of support for military families - including those who may be impacted by #PTS.
"Twelve courageous military families signed up for our 200th Therapeutic Retreat in Texas this past March. Despite the emerging news and fears about the Covid-19 virus, every single family showed up ready to take the next steps in their family's journey of healing. All volunteers and all staff demonstrated their dedication and passion for serving by attending in full force. 'The resilience of our military families was evident, and I was brought to tears when a Gold Star mom performed "I’m Still Standing" with her two children', Heather Ehle, Founder/CEO."
Read the full story: http://ow.ly/ApgS50A50Ci
Twelve courageous military families signed up for our Therapeutic Retreat in Texas. Despite the emerging news and fears about the Covid-19 virus, every single family showed up ready to take the next steps in their family’s journey of healing.
Wounded Eagle UAS is using small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) as adaptive recreational therapy for veterans. A therapy treatment that strengthens/teaches eye and hand co-ordination, spacial thinking, muscle training and so much more!
http://ow.ly/QRJM50zQCM6
Joseph Dorando Over the many years that I’ve been training disabled veterans into becoming small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) commercial (FAA Part 107) operators with Wounded Eagle UAS, it’s come to my attention that there is an amazing therapy treatment that physical therapists and those in t...
Camp Red Cedar has found a creative way to keep participants engaged with their recreational therapy program. What are some creative methods your organization is utilizing during this period of physical distancing? https://www.wboi.org/post/virtual-horseback-riding-recreational-therapy-turns-alternate-methods-during-covid-19#stream/0
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the job titles of Camp Red Cedar employees Alisha Key and Kayla Wagner. The story has
“The biggest thing recreation therapy did for me is give me a focus. I suffered from nightmares, insomnia and an explosive temper. Getting out there and exercising was the biggest boon to my mental health."
Army Veteran Rick Weisbrod, 70, says recreation therapy saved his life. https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/71711/recreation-therapy-gives-veteran-new-lease-life/
VA celebrates National Therapeutic Recreation Month. Here’s the story of a Veteran who was in “a dark place” and says recreation therapy gave him a focus.
A bill that seeks to make it easier for veterans to access New York state’s scenic and restorative outdoor spaces awaits the governor's signature. https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2020/04/tidball-advises-ny-state-senate-veterans-outdoor-act
A Cornell senior research associate served as a consultant to members of the New York State Senate on the Outdoor Rx Act, a bill that seeks to make it easier for veterans to access New York state’s scenic and restorative outdoor spaces.
What a great way to spend a Sunday morning! Tune in this Sunday at 10am EDT and connect with Mother Nature. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/connecting-to-nature-at-home-tickets-102431086136?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch&fbclid=IwAR0NGqv4ADaGFtRnuLWmY2-vIELAaNlbOjDrB6mI3iCUvZI889de3wv2bko
We're throwing down on a virtual workshop this weekend. While we all keep our distance we wanted to share how you can still connect with nature in your immediate areas. Please join us! It's free and a reason to get out of bed on Sunday.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/connecting-to-nature-at-home-tickets-102431086136?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch
You'll want to read this heart-warming story on how adaptive sports saved this veteran from despair. https://www.vaildaily.com/news/thank-you-vail-veterans-program-for-helping-save-my-life/
Please join us in welcoming the National Ability Center, the Lakeshore Foundation, and Mending Waters Montana as our newest Four Star Alliance members! We're so excited to have these three wonderful organizations join the alliance and to add their dedication to improve the quality of life of veterans to our collective goal.
The Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana is able to offer more veterans adaptive sports thank to a grant and partnerships between their local YMCA and other veteran-serving organizations. http://ow.ly/Acyr50yQ2SQ
The sports director for the RHI Foundation in Indianapolis says a recently-awarded grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was critical in bringing more disabled veterans to its adaptive sp
This veteran-owned gym has become not only a place for veterans to work on the body, but a place where they can work on the mind and counsel each other. http://ow.ly/2ddX50yPZmr
The veteran-owned gym has become the site of peer-to-peer meetings in which veterans counsel each other from an empathetic standpoint
Once this pandemic is over, there may be something for Gold Star families to look forward to. http://ow.ly/jlSN50yPUUA
Families of people who died during military service would receive free access to national parks if Congress approves a proposal from two Maine lawmakers.
This equine therapy program in Kentucky is offering free services to veterans. Here's how their program works to benefit those with mental health issues. https://44news.wevv.com/horse-therapy-aims-help-local-veterans/
For those battling depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other mental health issues, it can be difficult to find a healthy outlet, but it’s here in the Tri-State that one program is reaching out to a group of people who may need the extra care. “These horses actually take on your persona. They read your...
A new bill introduced to the US Congress aims at getting veterans outdoors to promote their well-being. It's called the Accelerating Vets Recovery Outdoors Act. What are your thoughts on this new bill? https://krdo.com/news/2020/02/11/new-bill-aims-to-accelerate-veterans-recovery-with-outdoors-therapy/
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A new bill introduced to the US Congress aims at getting veterans outdoors to promote their well-being. It's called the Accelerating Vets Recovery Outdoors Act. On Feb. 27, a group of veterans will be promoting the newly proposed bill -- H.R. 2435 -- that would "req...
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It’s about time that I spoke from the heart. As the social media person for R4 Alliance, I always consider myself behind the scenes as a writer, editor or social media poster person :-) but you really need to know how awesome you are! Happy Veterans Day
Can you get a more perfect venue to host a reception than at one of our founding members Georgia Aquarium ballroom? #WarriorSymposium17
John Scott from Fox News is live from #WarriorSymposium17 with Col. Wayne Waddell & Capt. Jim Warner. Remembering Col. Leo K. Thorness and sharing stories from Hanoi Hilton POW
Bert Gillette, Director of Operations, R4 Alliance discusses the Coordinated Care Network. Learn more: www.r4alliance.org/get-assistance.
R4 Alliance Interview with Dave Kumlien, Trout Unlimited Veterans Service Partnership. Visit www.tu.org for more information.
Bob & Barbara from Marriage Management share what they do and why. #R4Alliance #members #strongertogether #bettertogether
Jennifer Mackinday from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation shares her story of caring for her brother after he returns home from deployment. #R42016 #HiddenHeroes
Kathy Egan, President and COO of Beaver Hollow Conference Center, talks about next year's #R4Alliance conference and the treatments available at the center. #R42016
Good Creations LLC works to help nonprofits raise funds, streamline their data and offers other much-needed services like graphic design and more. #R42016
Steven from Unite US shares how they support organizations through their robust network. They are helping #R4Alliance do this, with improved search capabilities as well. #R42016 Learn more:
The founder of PsychArmor talks about the free courses they create for the civilians who serve our nation's heroes, as well as how you can partner with them to offer these courses to your organization. #R42016
J. David Gray, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and board member of 10 CAN, Inc., discusses both organizations and the benefit of collaboration. #R4Alliance #R42016
Jeff from www.paws4pets.org talks about his organization and their partnership with #R4alliance. #R42016
Matt Staton, special assistant to the Secretary of the US Army. He shares his story and provides great insights into partnering with DoD. #R4Alliance #R42016
Bridge II Sports is proud to be hosting the 2016 Valor Games Southeast for the 4th consecutive year from May 23-26. Valor Games Southeast is a 4 day adapted sports event drawing disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces to North Carolina for fierce, fun and spirited competition and comradery. Register here: http://buff.ly/1VdxdFf
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