Healing our Hero's and Family

As I move close to graduation from USC I began to think about what it was I truly wanted and how could I use my experience and education to help my fellow service members and Vet's. That is when I began to toy with opening a nonprofit that would focus on helping not only those Vet's that qualify for VA services and family members but, also those Vet's who do not. So as of May 2014 I have begun to see this dream become a reality. and I have now started Healing our Hero's & Family Our Mission: Healing Our Hero’s and Families mission is to “Provide military veterans, current service members and their families with therapeutic care and to help enrich their personal and family lives.” The road to recovery following a traumatic experience can be difficult to navigate alone. Healing our Hero’s and Families is an organization that was created to provide service members, veterans and family members with tools and resources to fully engage in life. Yadira and Gene have combined forces to help families develop practical solutions to problems associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, and Depression. Special emphasis is also placed on the family members and children of veterans who may be experiencing secondary trauma or even caregiver burnout. Healing our Hero’s and Families also provide services for veterans who do not qualify for Veterans Affairs services. We serve: All current service members Veterans of all eras of combat Victims of Military Sexual Trauma Those veterans and family members that do not qualify for VA or Vet Center services. Children, Spouses and Family members of veterans and current service members. Programs Offered: Individual, group, couples and family counseling Military Culture Training Caregiver support and groups Sand Tray Therapy Art Therapy Crisis Management Please visit my website www.HEALINGHEROS.ORG We are also able to accept donations through this site, please help me by passing this on to organizations that could help us on a successful launch.

The next chapter...involves school..lots of it!!

As you may all remember I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology from Saint Martin's University in Lacey, Washington last year. The same year that I retired, well the continued strive towards achieving the next step and goal has begun.

I am very excited today because I have learned that I have been accepted to the University of Southern California for the Masters in Social Work program. I have been busy taking care of paperwork and scheduling my Cultural Immersion workshops. I am excited to get the educational credentials that will help me reach my final goal; helping our veterans. 

I have thought about why Soldiers commit suicide and with the death of my Soldier this week I could come up with several reasons but the reason that keeps coming back to me is the lack of professional support. Many of the veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom have very few professionals in the field of counseling or social work that understand what they have been through. I have a unique understanding of the experiences they have seen in combat.  I can relate with them as well as empathize with them about the feelings they have experienced and teach them that they do not have to be ashamed about their feelings. In the Army today, especially among the combat arms, there is an unfortunate stigma that revolves around seeking help. By asking for help you were considered weak and or an ineffective leader. Since early 2009 the Army has been trying to change this perception by providing counseling for Soldiers pre-deployment and post deployment stand downs. While I have been too numerous of these I have not once talked to a counselor. The counselors are usually civilians who have never deployed or are social workers brought in from the community. While they do a good job I have seen firsthand veterans and Soldier’s come into the Veterans Center and asks for a counselor that has served in the current wars. At the Boise Veterans center there is only one such counselor and his schedule was packed every day. I hope I can be one more social worker that these Soldier’s and Veterans can turn to for help.

The curriculum is going to intense and the time and dedication will pay off in the end. I am excited to begin my first semester on May 7th. My first two classes are Human Behavior and Social Environment and the second is Policy and Practise in Social Service Organizations.

Wish me luck all and if you have any questions about how to get started in school or any question in general do not hesitate to contact me!!!

Go Trojans!!!!