What's Happening
A Therapist’s Small Commitment Makes a Big Impact
December 7, 2023
Vancouver Counselor Helps Veterans Heal Beyond Military Service
Jennie Hagen’s compassion for those who serve in the military led her to volunteer with the Returning Veterans Project (RVP). After a veteran family member struggled to access health care, volunteering with RVP felt like a meaningful way to make a difference.
Over her decade of volunteering, Jennie has discovered that veteran health requires addressing more than just military experiences. “We’re also talking about childhood traumas,…
6 Reasons Veterans are Left Without the Critical Health Care They Need
June 30, 2023
With healthcare from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and insurance programs like TRICARE, it’s easy to assume that all veterans get the health services they need after military service.
But that’s not the reality. In truth, half of post-9/11 veterans are not enrolled in Veterans Administration health care. This is despite the fact that nationally, 36% of post-9/11 veterans have a service-related disability and 50% of returning service members report some type of…
Goosebumps + Gratitude: The Call to Give Back
February 27, 2023
There’s a moment at the beginning of every rodeo that unites everyone gathered. The crowd stands still. The arena quiets. And someone steps forward to sing the national anthem.
The American flag flies center stage. As “the land of the free and the home of the brave” is sung, your arms prickle with goosebumps, and your chest surges with gratitude for those who have served our country.
For Clarissa Shepherd, this annual…
RVP’s Newest Addition Brings All the Heart
January 18, 2023
Hi there! My name is Jennifer Keeling and as of January 1, 2023, I’m your new Health Network and Volunteer Engagement Manager.
My job is to take care of RVP’s dedicated volunteers and help more providers volunteer their services so we can support more veterans, service members and military families on the journey to health and healing.
About MeI’m a lover of dogs, my two grown kids, camping, and four-wheeling. And my…
Local University is Largest Provider of Free Health Services for RVP
November 16, 2022
Portland’s University of Western States delivers free chiropractic and massage services to RVP’s veteran clients
Cydney Keller was delivering free chiropractic care to RVP’s veteran clients even before she finished her studies. How? In a unique partnership between the Returning Veterans Project and the University of Western States, she could receive special training and treat RVP clients while completing her supervised clinical practice hours.
Since 2015, the University has partnered with RVP to…
From the Inside Out
November 2, 2022
A lot of people volunteer to give back in their community. But when “luck and fluke” brought Sharon Flegal of Portland, Oregon to volunteer for RVP, she never expected to get so much in return.
A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Sharon began counseling children and families when she was 21 years old. Now, on the other end of her career, she offers her expertise free of charge to veterans and…
