Five charities that help veterans
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2019 there were more than 18 million veterans in the United States. These service men and women have given their all for our country--sometimes to great detriment.
Veterans face homelessness at an incredibly high rate. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the current number is around 40,000 homeless veterans.
According to a 2016 study published in the American Journal of Public Health, over 1.1 million Veterans who were treated in a VA Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) between 2010–2011 were diagnosed with at least one of five mental illnesses—depression, PTSD, substance use disorder, anxiety, and schizophrenia or bipolar.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that almost 1 out of every 3 Veterans seeking treatment for Substance Use Disorder also has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Additionally, veterans struggle with domestic violence at a disproportionately high rate. Bluestarfam.org reports that “Fifteen percent of military and veteran family respondents in the 2017 #BSFSurvey reported they did not feel physically safe in their relationship and a 2013 VA study found that approximately 22 percent of service members were Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) perpetrators.”
We can help those who served our country to battle the stigma of mental health find services, and get well.
Consider donating or getting involved with one of these organizations to help veterans:
- Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military & veterans families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital.
- Wounded Warrior Project helps Veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound while serving in the military on or after September 11, 2001.
- The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) works to ensure that veterans are respected for their service, receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of this great country.
- Homes for our Troops works to to build and donate specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post 9/11 veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives.
- Gary Sinise Foundation aims to serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities.