Wounded Warriors Megan Hodges

The Problem Between 529,000 and 840,000 veterans are homeless at some time during the year (Veteran) Out of all of the homeless males in the United States, approximately 33% of them are veterans (Veteran). At least 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have PTSD and/or depression and 50% of those with PTSD will not seek treatment (Veterans) Every 65 minutes, a veteran commits suicide (Facts). The number of active duty suicides in 2012 surpassed not only the number of American troops killed in Afghanistan but also the number who died in transportation accidents in 2012 (Facts). In 2010, the Army gave a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder to 10,756 troops, up from 4,967 in 2005 (Facts) On any given night, more than 300,000 veterans are living on the streets or in shelters in the U.S (Veteran). Veterans are twice as likely as other Americans to become chronically homeless (Veteran). Veterans represent 11% of the adult civilian population, but 26% of the homeless population, according to the Homeless Research Institute (2007) (Veteran)

More United States troops have died from suicide than have been killed in Afghanistan since 2001 (Facts). About 7-8% of the population will have PTSD at some point in their lives (Facts). Nearly 89,000 service members who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2005 have received a PTSD diagnosis, compared to about 23,000 individuals who have never deployed experiencing PTSD (Facts). Among service members deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, 103,792 were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) over the period 2002 to December 2012 (Facts). According to the Department of Defense, there has been an average of almost 21,000 service members diagnosed with traumatic brain injury every year since 2000 (Facts). From 2002 to December 2012, 253,330 service members were diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) of some kind (Facts). As a result of battle injuries in the Iraq War, 991 service members received wounds that required amputations; 797 lost major limbs, such as a leg (Facts).  In Afghanistan, 724 service members have had to undergo amputations, with 696 losing a major limb (Facts).  The unemployment rate for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is 10% -- this is higher than the national rate of 7.3% (Facts).

What did I do? Snapdragon Thrift Store Nonprofit store whose proceeds are donated to the Wounded Warrior Project

Wounded Warrior Project Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) takes a holistic approach when serving warriors and their families to nurture the mind and body, and encourage economic empowerment and engagement. Through a high-touch and interactive approach, WWP hopes to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation's history Goals: To foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation's history. To raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members. To help injured service members aid and assist each other. To provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members. (Veteran)

What can you do? Donate Volunteer Be thankful

The Effect From Wounded Warrior: 90% of warriors on average said the Peer Support program positively affected their ability to move forward with life. 85% of warriors assisted through Warriors to Work™ remain employed 12 months later. 99% of Soldier Ride® participants said they would seek out future cycling opportunities. $22 million in combined retroactive and annual benefits were awarded to injured service members as a result of the advocacy of the WWP benefits team. 17,000 people turned to theResource Center for solutions to the issues or challenges they are currently facing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv99joD3Fzs (Veteran)

Wounded Warriors