2011-2012 Annual Report: Services
Focus on Military Service Members and Veterans

 

 Col Sutherland talking about the Dixon Center
COL David Sutherland, U.S. Army, Ret., joined
Easter Seals in July to dedicate the Dixon Center
at Easter Seals.
The Center for Military and Veterans Community Services (Dixon Center) at Easter Seals was dedicated in July 2012, and honors the brave men and women who served in Iraq and are returning from Afghanistan. Now numbering more than 2 million, our young service members and veterans face new obstacles as they work to integrate back into employment and community life. With Dixon Center, Easter Seals is working to strengthen support within communities by partnering with other human service organizations, advocating for legislation to improve the way services are provided nationwide, and harnessing the spirit of philanthropy to meet military families’ most pressing needs.

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. 

 Mervin and COL Sutherland AR
 Former Marine Cpl. Mervin Roxas (left)
with Col David Sutherland,
executive Director, Dixon Center

Helping a War Veteran
On July 5, 2004, during his second deployment in Iraq, Marine Cpl. Mervin Roxas was manning a machine gun atop a patrol vehicle when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded.

“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.”