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Bob Johnson models a NO MALARIA bib
Guest Speaker - Clear Path For Veterans
- Staff with us today
- Donna & Scott leading business managers
- Tiffany – spouse of veteran who was in service for 24 years, deploys all over the world
- Dave – 12 year army veteran (5 combat tours), received purple heart. Returned and went to school to get doctorate in clinical psychology - now devotes career to helping veterans
- Ryan – unable to be here today but is the inspiration behind Clear Path New England. Scott shared his story
- Local 24 year old who left wife and young kids behind when he was deployed. While he was deployed, he was survived two IUD explosions and experienced physical injuries. As a result, he was sent home where he had a difficult time reintegrating back into his home life. He was given a variety of drugs by the VA to address his injuries and it took 2 years to get help with alternative methods.
- Overview
- On a path to build a 12,000 square foot community center for Veterans in Devens with a focus on:
- Veterans helping community & vice versa
- Holistic Healing opportunities
- Collaboration with other service providers (ex. VA)
- Partner with industries to provide richer employment opportunities that are moe suitable for men and women with visible and invisible scars
- Address crime, homelessness, drug & alcohol abuse before it becomes a problem
- ALL veterans welcome regardless of discharge status or service type
- Dave shared his vision on re-engaging veterans with community and family. He hopes to provide opportunity for men & women to rebuild bonds and address challenges that men & women face before they get into trouble. This will be done by focusing on 3 areas
- Peer Support/Community Outreach – connect with other veterans; someone who is further along in their journey reintegrating. Expose to service opportunities to not only receive assistance but to give back as well. Here, people will be expose to a group who share the same struggles
- Warrior Reset/Wellness – Organized recreation activities provide unique opportunities for Veterans and their families to explore new experiences that support mental health and well-being whether they are connecting through nature based programs or competing in team physical activities.
- Dogs to Vets – assist in lessening time to adopt a dog. Many veterans have significant waits due to resources. Plans to work with Middlesex House of Corrections
- For more detailed information on these visit http://www.clearpathne.org/programs/
- Open discussion
- Any time someone serves, it is an admirable thing and we have the capacity to solve some of these epidemics (homelessness, incarceration & drug addiction).
- The reason behind building to suit, as opposed to renting space, was deliberate. The reason being that it is important to have a “home away from home” for veterans and a space for people to call their own.
- Working closely with New York to model this space, and its purpose, off of their work.
