Continuing the Mission of Service
In coordination with the Got Your 6 campaign, The Mission Continues and their partners will engage veterans in 1.5 million hours of volunteer service in communities nationwide by July 2013.
The Issue
Over the last 12 years, our service members have been tested, and they have grown stronger through their service. They have established and helped to run local governments. They have overseen the planning of schools and the construction of dams. They have mentored police forces, farmers and medical personnel while negotiating treaties between warring populations. In the overwhelming number of cases, the battle-tested abilities they have built in the military have the potential to elevate our organizations, businesses and communities here at home. This, however, will only be possible if we provide them with the opportunity to serve.
After their military service, many veterans struggle to find purpose without the structure, mission and camaraderie of a military unit. Veterans can rebuild purpose at home not only by finding the strength within themselves, but by helping others — through community service and volunteering. It is through service to others that their own purpose again comes into focus, giving them the direction to pursue a job, or an education, or to build a community.
About the Lead Nonprofit Partner
The Mission Continues is a national nonprofit that helps post-9/11 veterans find a renewed sense of purpose in civilian life through six-month community service fellowships. We believe veterans are among our country’s greatest assets and that through service, both in the military and at home, they have the power to inspire our nation. The Mission Continues challenges veterans to serve and inspire in communities across America. The Mission Continues does not offer charity; rather, it challenges returning service members to utilize their tremendous skills and leadership in our communities. As a result, veterans are empowered to transform their own lives and their communities through service.
About the Supporting Nonprofit Partners
Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams into crisis situations. Team Rubicon offers veterans a chance to continue their service by helping and empowering those afflicted by disasters, and also themselves. Through service, veterans gain three things they lose after taking off the uniform: purpose, community, and sense of self.
The 6th Branch is a nonprofit organization utilizing the leadership and organizational skills of military veterans to execute aggressive community service initiatives at the local level. The 6th Branch believes that the military skill set can be applied to domestic problems, and it would be an injustice to not apply them. They believe that veterans can lead this country and solve our toughest problems. The 6th Branch believes that empowerment is a better approach than entitlement. The 6th Branch is veterans taking the lead.
Working with the Best
Through The Mission Continues’ six-month service fellowship program, veterans not only improve their communities, but they also help to change perceptions of veterans by acting as living examples of the intrinsic value veterans bring to the community. Mission Continues Fellows are matched with local nonprofits, working to address key educational, environmental or social issues. The veterans selected for fellowships are service-minded, goal-oriented leaders. They work toward one of three personal goals at the conclusion of their fellowship: full-time employment, pursuit of higher education or a permanent role of service.
The Mission Continues also partners with corporations, foundations, and other nonprofit organizations to plan and execute veteran-led service projects nationwide. The Mission Continues believes that all veterans have the capacity to lead and unite in service to our communities.
Team Rubicon unites the skills and experience of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams into crisis situations. Team Rubicon offers veterans a chance to continue their service by helping and empowering those afflicted by disasters, and also themselves. Through service, veterans gain three things they lose after taking off the uniform: purpose, community, and sense of self.
The 6th Branch® is a veteran led 501(c)3 community service organization that undertakes bold and aggressive service projects. They tackle these projects with the intensity, urgency and efficiency of a combat operation by recruiting volunteers from all walks of life and leading them using skills and experience unique to military veterans.
Collaboration
The Mission Continues is a collaborative organization. Over 500 Mission Continues Fellows have been placed in more than 400 nonprofit and community service organizations in more than 40 states nationwide. In fact, some of The Mission Continues Fellows are working or have worked directly with other Got Your 6 partner organizations during their fellowships, such as Team Rubicon, Student Veterans of America, The Pat Tillman Foundation, Military Child Education Coalition, and Operation College Promise. On average, each Fellow will complete up to 500 hours of volunteer service during their fellowship.
The Mission Continues will partner with organizations to have an impact in social issue areas including adult education, community economic development, public health & nutrition, community arts, housing and homelessness, and youth development/education. Since 2007, more than 30,000 veteran and civilian volunteers have engaged in Mission Continues led service projects. The Mission Continues plans to continue to collaborate with these organizations to achieve the awesome Got Your 6 goals.
Working with Got Your 6 to Amplify the Effort
To reach 1.5 million hours of veteran volunteer service, Got Your 6 will work to link relevant entertainment community stakeholders with The Mission Continues and its partners.
Got Your 6 is working with The Mission Continues and its partners to promote service orientated events throughout the country and to engage celebrities in service alongside veterans.
