Wounded Warrior Project®serves veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound, co-incident to their military service on or after September 11, 2001 and their families. On that date, America watched in horror as approximately 3,000 people died including hundreds of firefighters and rescue workers. Many warriors note a sense of duty to volunteer for the military following these tragic events.
With the mission to honor and empower Wounded Warriors, Wounded Warrior Project is the hand extended to encourage warriors as they adjust to their new normal and achieve new triumphs. Offering a variety of programs and services, Wounded Warrior Project is equipped to serve warriors with every type of injury–from the physical to the invisible wounds of war. During the past year more than 109,000 wellness checks, and more than 5 million copies of the weekly email newsletter reached warriors.
In addition to the physical wounds, it is estimated as many as 500,000 service members live with the invisible wounds of war including combat-related stress, major depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Another 320,000 are believed to have experienced a traumatic brain injury while on deployment. Wounded Warrior Project programs focus on mental and physical health and wellness, career and benefits counseling, and long-term care for the most seriously wounded warriors. Other mental health efforts reached thousands of veterans through outdoor, multi-day mental health workshops and telephone support. Physical health programs are addressing obesity (nearly nine in 10 registered warriors qualify as obese).
Physical Health and Wellness programs for veterans are designed to reduce stress, combat depression, and promote an overall healthy and active lifestyle by encouraging participation in fun, educational activities. When wounded warriors commit to making a positive change in their physical recovery, Wounded Warrior Project is ready to help. Goal-setting, coaching, skill-building, physical training, and other opportunities provide the resources warriors need to make long-term changes toward a healthy life.
When a military service member is wounded, ill, or injured, these changes place tremendous stress on families and caregivers. Supportive family members and caregivers are an integral part of a warrior’s successful recovery. Wounded Warrior Project is dedicated to helping active duty military personnel and veterans, as well as providing supportive services for veterans’ families and caregivers. Wounded Warrior Project provides assistance to the family and caregivers of warriors living with physical and/or mental health conditions to ensure they receive their full range of benefits, participate in veterans’ programs, or receive peer support.
On the battlefield, the military pledges to leave no soldier behind, and there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer. To learn more about the medical services and education provided to service members and their families, please visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.