2011-2012 Annual Report: Services |
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Easter Seals has long served military service members and veterans. Following World War II, we expanded our reach to include adults, largely because so many service members were returning home with disabilities. In response to new challenges, we are reaching out with services and support to thousands of military service members, veterans, their families and families of the fallen. This past year, Easter Seals provided training to nearly 7,400 caregivers of seriously injured Veterans of our post 9/11 conflicts through a contract with the Caregiver Support Program, Department of Veterans Affairs. We offered respite to families through contracts with the Navy and the Air Force, and we are working with homeless veterans – helping them to secure employment. We also provide camping, housing, and other special care that makes transitioning and reintegrating into the community the experience it should be for the men and women who have served our country.
Helping a War Veteran “I had trouble transitioning back to being a civilian,” he says. “I lost structure in my life, I didn’t know how each day would play out, and my behavior caused misunderstandings with family and friends.” There was also the challenge of suddenly living with a disability. “learning to do things with only my right arm and getting stares and comments from strangers — I wasn’t used to it. that was tough.” Forced to abandon dreams of becoming a police officer, Mervin enrolled in some college courses. one day on campus, he stumbled on a job fair where Easter Seals had a booth. By that evening, he had faxed his resume to Easter Seals and soon after, he was hired as a Life Skills Coach. Finding a job spurred Mervin to keep moving forward. He has since run a marathon, earned his college degree and gotten married, plus he’s been promoted to an Easter Seals Program Assistant, working with young adults with developmental disabilities. Mervin credits Easter Seals with helping him successfully reintegrate. “Easter Seals,” he says, “played a big part.”
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