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.

WRAP for Veterans and People in the Military

The process of recovery begins with you, but you don't have to do it alone!!!

I am currently attending a program that will certify me to conduct the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) for veterans I serve.

If you are on active duty, in the reserves, or have been in the military, you may be having a hard time coping with the hardship, trauma, and loss related to military service and being involved in war-related activities. You may have feelings and experiences that are extremely upsetting, feelings that keep you from being the way you want to be and doing the things you want to do. In addition, things may be happening in your life that are difficult to deal with. Family members and friends, who don’t understand what you are experiencing and why you are behaving the way you are, may not know how to respond or how to help. Some may try to help and others may turn away. You may feel like the situation is hopeless - that you will never feel well and enjoy life again.
The Wellness Recovery Action Plan can help you in the process of recovery, of getting well and staying well, and of assisting you in becoming who you want to be and making your life the way you want it. It will also be helpful to you in adapting to any challenges you have in your life like chronic illness, serious disability, being on active duty, or dealing with extreme loss or grief.

This online version of the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) is specifically oriented for people who are in the military or have been in the military. There are video clips with Mary Ellen Copeland talking to veterans as they are developing their WRAPs. This WRAP is private and can be accessed at any time. You can make changes to it whenever you want and e-mail it to anyone you choose. WRAP can help with coordinating daily living as well as larger issued like depression and PTSD. This version of WRAP is very convenient for military personnel and is friendly, easy, and empowering. https://wrap.essentiallearning.com/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f

After my certification I hope to begin providing classes specifically for veterans in Idaho that will help them develop a personal WRAP as well help them start down the road of recovery.

Call me at Riverside Rehab, Inc. (208) 853-8536 and I will help you with your WRAP in my veteran services department.

Did you know that:

• More than 42 million American men and women have served in a time of war
• Current Projected U.S. Veterans Population: 23,442,000
• There are between 529,000 and 840,000 veterans who are homeless at some time during the year, that’s 23% of the homeless population
• 89% of homeless veterans received Honorable Discharges
• 33% of homeless veterans served in a war zone
• Each year between 375,000 – 600,000 homeless veterans receive no assistance
• 6 million veterans are living with a disability
• 45% of veterans need help finding a job
• 37% of veterans need help finding housing
• Number of Veterans with for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (as of 09/30/08): 342,624