Transitioning from military to civilian life can be stressful, and in a survey, one in four veterans said it was tough, according to Pew Research Center. The return to civilian life after active duty presents a set of challenges. Many veterans struggle with mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder caused by memories of combat-related violence and other traumatic experiences. For others reconnecting with family and friends is an uphill battle. Not to mention, applying military skills in civilian jobs isn’t straightforward. However, veterans can adjust to civilian lifestyles with ease if they get support from loved ones and the general public. So, how can you help retired military personnel? In addition to expressing your appreciation on Veterans Day, here are seven simple and effective ways to support veterans in your community every day.
Offer A Ride To A Doctor’s Appointment
Many veterans need medical care for the rest of their lives due to severe physical and mental health problems that stemmed from being on active duty. For those with limited mobility or living with a disability, making it to a doctor’s appointment can be challenging. If you have a driver’s license, you can show your support by volunteering for the DAV (Disabled American Veterans). The DAV has a volunteer transportation network that allows individuals to volunteer their time to drive veterans who can’t travel to Veteran Affairs (VA) health facilities on their own. The program also accepts donated vehicles to provide free transportation to retired service members.
Volunteer At A Local Veterans’ Facility
Another great way to help veterans is by providing volunteer services at a veteran organization in your area. If you have expertise in tax preparation, medicine, IT, or engineering, you can offer your skills or provide basic training to veterans free of charge. Even if you don’t have any special skills, spending a day at a veterans hospital or home can make a significant difference. You can help with menial tasks like yard work, organizing spaces, and answering the phone. These tasks might sound simple, but they go a long way in helping veteran organizations keep their operational costs down. Working directly with veterans is also an excellent way of providing companionship and giving them a sense of belonging in the community.
Build Homes For Injured Veterans
If you’ve been supporting veterans for some time, you may have noticed most of them, especially those living with severe injuries or disabilities, are homeless. Others face eviction or foreclosure because they can’t afford to pay rent or mortgage. You can lend a helping hand to veterans in these situations by building homes for them. By providing housing for retired military personnel and their families, you play a significant role in ensuring they enjoy comfort, safety, and security.
Typically achieving this goal by yourself can be stressful. For this reason, consider working with organizations that build new homes or modify existing structures for veterans in need of housing. You can assist by working as a builder to construct housing units. If you don’t know anything about home construction, you can donate funds for purchasing construction materials or paying laborers.
Help Veterans Understand Their Housing Options
After transitioning from the defense force, many veterans risk becoming homeless because they are not familiar with their housing options. To fight homelessness among retired military personnel in your community, volunteer your time to educate them about purchasing homes. The first step to achieving the best outcomes is helping veterans determine whether they’ll be renting, leasing, or buying homes. Then help them seek housing assistance for veterans and their families from the department of veterans affairs and other agencies committed to helping former service members transition to civilian housing. Also, share valuable resources regarding VA mortgage plans to help veterans living in your area make informed decisions about buying homes.
The beauty of VA loans is that they require zero down payment, but one must be eligible. It’s also crucial for veterans to find reliable mortgage lenders that offer reasonable loan interest rates and enjoy other perks. According to expert advice on https://heroloan.com/, home loans designed for veterans are not always equal. Some home loan lenders guarantee a straightforward application process, quality customer support, and closing within two weeks. Other mortgage providers don’t offer customer support, their application process can be lengthy, and closing can take up to 60 days. With this in mind, helping veterans search for reputable mortgage companies is a good way of supporting them to become homeowners.
Offer Job Training
Veterans possess some of the most valuable skill sets and real-world experiences any organization can leverage to succeed. However, they fall under the minority or unsupported group in the workforce. That’s why many servicemen and women have a hard time finding employment after active duty. Fortunately, as a civilian, you can help a veteran get hired by providing job training at no cost. For instance, through veteran employment support programs available online, you can assist veterans with mock interviews, careers counseling, and searching for jobs that match their skills. If you are an employer, consider creating employment opportunities for veterans. Most importantly, transform your workplace into a veteran-friendly surrounding by offering development opportunities, fostering empathy, and improving communication.
Create Room For Vets To Share Their Stories
One of the best things you can do for veterans is to spend time with them and listen to what they have to share. For most veterans, sharing experiences from active duty is therapeutic and helps those listening understand their struggles. Unfortunately, many retired military staff are socially isolated. Therefore, connect with veterans in your community and create room to talk about their experiences. Nonetheless, be mindful of those who aren’t comfortable sharing their stories. To enjoy a memorable experience, learn how to interview veterans and plan in advance. As a general rule of thumb, divide your interview into segments and let the veteran tell their story.
Get Creative With Donations And Fundraisings
Donating funds to organizations that support service members is an excellent way to thank veterans in your community. However, giving donations might be tricky if you’re unemployed or have limited cash flow. So, what can you do to support vets and their families? Be creative with fundraising. Many organizations dedicated to helping retired military members have designed unique strategies you can use to raise funds and donate to them. For example, you can create a Facebook fundraiser and contribute to the USO by setting up a virtual fundraiser. Alternatively, you can stream video games to help fund mental health services for vets struggling with PTSD and other mental disorders.
There is nothing quite challenging for a veteran like adjusting from military service to civilian life. Many former service members struggle with mental health issues linked to combat violence, while others have a hard time finding employment. Some also face challenges reconnecting with loved ones and establishing a relationship with community members. However, with the support of civilians, including family and friends, veterans can readjust to the civilian lifestyle without much hassle. As a civilian, you can help retired military staff transition to normal life by building homes for them, providing transportation, and offering job training. Also, listen and share veteran stories, donate funds to veteran organizations, and help former service members find reliable mortgage lenders.