National Service Inclusion Project

In 2010, the CNCS launched the Engaging Veterans with Disabilities Initiative to enhance the capacity of national service programs to recruit, engage and support veterans with disabilities as active service members in structured volunteer experiences. The Corporation is conducting the Engaging Veterans with Disabilities in National and Community Service Initiative through its National Service Inclusion Project, housed at the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston, in partnership with CTAT (Center for Technical Assistance and Training) and Operation TBI Freedom at Denver Options. This ongoing partnership will post findings and resources on the following website. http://www.serviceandinclusion.org/veterans/.

The Engaging Veterans with Disabilities Initiative has gathered information on how to recruit and support veterans through interviews with veterans who are current or former AmeriCorps members or other national service volunteers. The Initiative has also convened discussion groups with active duty soldiers from Wounded Transition Units and veterans to speak about what would engage them in service.

One result of these interviews and discussion groups are the following tips. Participants indicated they would prefer marketing materials that:

• Indicate what’s in it for them upfront, such as the stipend and benefits, including the educational benefits, and their value.
• Contain messages that are authentic.
• Use patriotic colors.
• Stress volunteer service is way for veterans to serve their country and a way to serve those in their communities who need help.
• Emphasize that service gives soldiers a sense of belonging, purpose, inclusion, human connection and helps with self-esteem and identifies challenges.
• Highlight their interests can be matched with program goals and activities.

Find this and other helpful information on the following new webpage www.serviceandinclusion.org/veterans

For more information about engaging veterans and military families see:
The Corporation for National and Community Service’s Veterans Corps http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/serveamerica/veterans.asp

United We Serve – Veterans and Military Families Initiative
http://www.serve.gov/vets.asp

The Wounded Warrior Project
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Spread the word: Potential AmeriCorps members can apply online and AmeriCorps programs can post opportunities at http://www.americorps.gov

Quick Reference Guide

Homes for all Veterans a Denver Options Program