Links & Resources:

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The links below are for informational purposes only. We make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information obtained through these links, and do not warrant or endorse any services provided at any of these links. You are advised to fully investigate important issues such as insurance, licensing, and safety issues before accepting services.

RVP In The News:

Providers Offer Free Counseling to Veterans and Families, by Tom Mann, ODVA Vet News: January/February 2009

Veterans' Affairs, OPB Think Out Loud: November 11, 2008

Resources for Veterans and Military Families

1. Bob Tackett, 503-660-1441, bobtackett@mhcc.edu
   

   Bob works with Hire Vets First at WorkSource Portland Metro East. He offers job training for vets, and helps vets learn how to write a resume, improve their interview skills, and make their skills transferable to the job market.

2. KevinsDriftboat.com
   

   Kevin's Drift Boat is a fishing tribute to Oregon National Guard SSG Kevin D. Davis. www.KevinsDriftboat.com connects veterans with fishermen, who enjoy both steelhead fishing and fly fishing, through the use of a yahoo group. These dedicated fishermen help returning veterans discover the rewarding activity of Steelhead fishing in Oregon rivers. They have equipment to get a soldier fishing at any time of year.

3. WilliamTemple.org
   

   Support Groups for vets and their families: William Temple House provides professional mental health counseling to individuals, couples and families who are not covered by other health programs or cannot afford fees charged by private agencies.

   In addition to mental health counseling, William Temple House provides emergency social services including food, children’s clothing, and other material assistance to more than 12,000 families each year. We also provide pastoral care upon request.

   We have served the Portland area for 42 years. We are located at 2023 NW Hoyt in Portland. We have locations in North Portland, East Portland, Hillsboro, and SE Portland.

   For more information on locations and services call Colleen Lewis, family coordinator for the families of returning veterans, at 503-226-3021 Ext. 219, or email clewis@williamtemple.org.
   

4. Restorative Yoga
   Free classes. All veterans invited. Renew body, mind and spirit. Deep relaxations, yogic breathing, gentle supported postures. You don't need to be flexible to do yoga. Fridays 10:45-12:15, Balanced and Whole Wellness Center, 4423 NE Tillamook, Portland. Call Belle Mann, 503-227-8635

5. Writearound.org
   

   Write Around Portland runs free writing workshops for various community groups who might otherwise not have access to the power of writing and community, including veterans and military families. They organize readings at which participants can share their writing with the greater community, and they publish anthologies of participants' writings. For more information on workshops, call 503-796-9224. Write Around Portland office: 917 SW Oak St., Suite 405, Portland, Oregon.

   
   

6. The Salvation Army Home Front War Relief
   This program provides emergency financial assistance to dependents of deployed military personnel as well as returning veterans who have suffered a hardship as a result of deployment. Contact Kim Nebeker for more information at 503-794-3275.

7. www.pacificnorthwestpilates.com
   

   Jean Leavenworth is a fully certified instructor in STOTT PILATES and co-founded Pacific Northwest Pilates in 2001. Jean has an M.S. in Kinesiology and specializes in rehabilitative pilates. She has taught in physical therapy clinics, health clubs and private studios throughout Portland and has taught overseas for STOTT PILATES in Greece, Ireland, Iceland and Japan. Jean offers free private and group classes in pilates for returning veterans, focusing on strengthening core muscles to increase movement efficiency and motor control. Pilates equipment is extremely useful for rehabilitation as it can be modified for all levels of strength and fitness. Pacific Northwest Pilates is wheelchair accessible and open for clients Monday-Saturday. Pacific NW Pilates - 5201 SW Westgate Drive, Suite 114, Portland, OR 97221 (PH)503 292-4409

8. Veterans' Bridge Fund Project
   Through this project, various faith groups and other contributors join to provide small grants for returning OEF/OIF veterans in transition, or in emergency situations. This is to be a one-time assistance that can bridge a gap or help the veteran and family take a step forward that otherwise might not be possible (a deposit on improved housing situation; help with transportation to appointments; a past-due utility bill payment; purchase of required clothing or equipment for a new job; etc.).  Realizing that emergency requests must be met quickly, we strive to get funds to the requesting agency or caseworker within a week of the caseworker's request. For such grant requests, caseworkers should contact the Veterans' Bridge Fund by voicemail at St. Luke Lutheran Church, (503)246-2325 ext. 14, Gerry at peaceleaves@comcat.net or Cyndy at mflock@yahoo.com. 
   

9. Heads Up For Heroes
   This program offers free services to any veteran with TBI, using various forms of neurofeedback. Neurofeedback is a noninvasive procedure that monitors and analyzes brain wave activity and uses the information as feedback. Surface, non-invasive sensors are placed on the head with a conductive paste and the EEG generated by the brain is picked up and fed back to the brain. The brain learns about its own behavior and normalizes its own activity.

   Mild to moderate brain injury patients have been seen to recover ability to take in information, improve short-term memory, organization, sequencing, prioritizing, sensory discrimination, initiation, confidence, assertiveness, and sense of humor. Depression, irritability, and explosiveness respond at the same time. People should know within eight sessions whether the neurofeedback is having an effect. More severe problems require longer treatments. The program is particularly interested in reaching veterans whose injuries are at least two years old but we are willing to work with anyone able to come to the clinic. Interested veterans should contact Kayle Sandberg-Lewis, LMT, MA at 503.234.2733 or StressLess@PDXBetter-Brain.com

10. Military Suicide Awareness & Prevention
    

    Military Suicide Awareness and Prevention is a confidential support group for those who have lost loved ones to suicide before, during or after military service. Our focus is not just on what we’ve lost, but also on the hope that future losses can be prevented with proper care and intervention. We offer information, support and understanding. Even though they’ve gone on, our soldiers’ service will never be forgotten. No one will be left behind.

11. Nick Manci - One Breath Yoga
    

    What I offer is a guided trip into the deepest, most real, beautiful part of you. The "You" that is separate from your history, habits, baggage, story and addictions. And this is not just another way of thinking. It is actually separate from the mind all together. It does not matter what you've been through. This part of you has not been effected. But the more you're carrying on top of it, the more discipline and hard work it will take to get back home, to your heart, your soul. It doesn't matter whether you've been there before or not. I'll get you there. Just be ready to work.
    Contact nick at onebreathyoga.com for availability and class updates.

Provider Resources:

Returning Veterans Project: Suggested Reading

Returning Veterans Project: Volunteer Provider Guidelines

Bibliography, The Spiritual Experience and The Unconscious Response To War, Diane Steinbrecher, LCSW, and Shannon Pernetti

Like Wandering Ghosts: Edward Tick On How The U.S. Fails Its Returning Soldiers, by David Kupfer, The Sun Magazine, June 2008, Issue 390

Ten Things You Should Know To Help Bring the OIF/OEF Veteran All the Way Home, Alison Lighthall, RN, MS, hand2handcontact.org

Links & Online Resources:

1. Oregon National Guard Reintegration Team
   Describes post-mobilization services to assist Guard members as they transition back to their families and community, including an online family support program.

2. WorkingInOregon.org
   This is the Official website of the Oregon Employment Department.

3. National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
   Contains detailed information about PTSD, including treatment modalities, general resource information, publications, research and contact information.

4. MarineParents.com
   Provides information, connections and services for Marine families and friends.

5. Veterans Administration
   Provides a thorough review of benefits information and assistance for returning veterans and their families, including health, education, compensation, publications and more.

6. Veterans Health Information
   Links to civilian and military health care information.

7. TRICARE
   The military health plan.

8. ArmyOneSource.com
   This comprehensive site provides information and resources for troops and their families, addressing all areas of military life, including deployment and post-deployment concerns.

9. Deployment Health Clinical Center of the Dept. of Defense
   Health information for clinicians, veterans, family members and friends.

10. Hooah4Health.com
    A health promotion and wellness site specifically designed by the U.S.Army to address deployment issues and the needs of soldiers, particularly in reserve units.

11. IraqWarVeterans.org
    Web site created by the Iraq War Veterans Organization to provide information and support for Iraq veterans, active military personnel and family members. All aspects of pre-deployment, deployment and post-deployment are included.

12. dsusa.org
    Disabled Sports USA was originally established in 1967 by disabled Vietnam veterans to serve those injured in the war. The organization now offers nationwide sports rehabilitation programs to anyone with a disability.

13. HireVetsFirst.gov
    A comprehensive site that includes a "Veterans Zone" and an "Employer Zone" where jobseekers can view job opportunities and employers can post positions available within their companies. There is a helpful "skills translator" which assists veterans with translating their military experience into those that will be understood by civilian employers.

14. ajb.org
    This is an electronic labor exchange that provides job seekers and employers with a marketplace in which to find each other over the Internet at no cost to them.

15. taonline.com
    Transition Assistance Online has developed a website for assisting veterans with smoothly transitioning from their military service to a civilian career. The site has a job bank for job seekers and employers as well as an extensive list of continuing education resources. A free newsletter is offered for users.

16. VetSuccess.gov
    VA program for disabled veterans looking for a job.

17. GiveAnHour.org
    A national network of mental health professionals who provide free mental health services to military personnel and their families affected by the current military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

18. OneFreedom.org
    ONE Freedom is a nonprofit organization offering direct trainings, lectures, skill-building workshops and interactive media to help veterans and their families understand and transform the trauma they may be experiencing.

19. SoldiersToVeterans.org
    Soldiers to Veterans is a community of disabled veterans and their families coming together to turn struggles and pain into positive action. It is a safe place to ask frank questions and speak openly of experiences. Non-disabled veterans, their spouses, and professionals are welcome to join the forum to mentor and empower the families struggling with life after the war.

20. Family Reintegration Following Guard Deployment Project
    The Family Reintegration Following Guard Deployment Project is seeking Guard members and families who are interested in participating in a focus group interview that lasts two hours or less. Their long-range goal is to develop interventions to reduce problems with family reintegration following deployment. The purpose of the study is to explore and describe the experiences of family reintegration of Guard members deployed in the Global War on Terror and elicit their perceptions of what would be helpful to them as they face these challenges. Individual interviews are also available.

21. HelmetsToHardhats.org
    Helmets to Hardhats is a national program that connects National Guard, Reserve and transitioning active-duty military members with quality career training and employment opportunities within the construction industry.

22. BrainandSpinalcord.org
    A resource for those looking for information about brain and spinal cord injuries, including information pertaining to PTSD.

23. AfterDeployment.org
    A thorough and well-organized site to assist you and the people close to you to manage your after-deployment concerns. The site provides self-care tools that can be accessed 24/7 in the privacy of your own home. Programs focus on adjusting to war memories, dealing with depression, handling stress, improving relationships, succeeding at work, overcoming anger, and living with physical injuries, to mention just a few. Self-assessments provide tailored feedback and recommendations.

24. GiftFromWithin.org
    Our nonprofit is dedicated to those who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), those at risk for PTSD, and those who care for traumatized individuals. Our website has essays, articles, poetry, art, retreats, meditations, retreats, a Q&A on PTSD, book reviews and other trauma resources.

25. AFSP
    The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is the leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research and education, and to reaching out to people with mood disorders and those impacted by suicide.
    

26. Veterans Conservation Corps
    The primary mission of the Veterans Conservation Corps is to assist veterans by providing volunteer opportunities on projects that help protect and restore Washington’s rivers, streams, lakes, marine waters and open lands.

27. SoldiersAngels.org
    As a volunteer-based nonprofit, Soldiers' Angels has over 30 different teams supporting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Through special projects, dedicated teams and individuals supporting our troops, we make a visible difference in the lives of our service members and their families.

28. The following nonprofit organizations provide financial and other help to wounded veterans (and their families) returning from Iraq and Afghanistan:

    Veterans of Foreign Wars: 816-756-3390; vfw.org

    American Legion: 202-861-2700; legion.org

    Disabled American Veterans: 877-426-2838; dav.org

    Wounded Warrior Project: 904-296-7350; woundedwarriorproject.org

    Swords to Plowshares: 415-252-4788; swords-to-plowshares.org

    Homes for Our Troops: homesforourtroops.org

    Coalition to Salute America's Heroes: 914-432-5400; saluteheroes.org

    Fisher House: 888-294-8560; fisherhouse.org

    Veterans Affairs Department Suicide Hot Line: 1 800 273 8255

    Suicide Prevention Action Network: 1 800 273 TALK; spanusa.org