2nd Quarter Newsletter Update |
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AHLEY'S Cottage Ribbon Cutting
What a blessing it has been! May 20th marked the New Beginnings Startup with The Ribbon Cutting of Ashley's Cottage. On a beautiful Florida sunny day, many of our volunteers, supporters and new neighbors gathered together to celebrate Ashley's Cottage which by fate is now the first all female veteran transition house in Lake County soon to be followed by Ashley's House in Eustis Fl. Such love, respect and admiration is in every inch of this house. |
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On June 12, 1948, President Harry S Truman signed into law The Women's Armed Services Integration Act, Allowing Women To Serve As Regular Members Of The Military.
Even though not all states recognize June 12th as Women Veterans Day, today 14 states recognize June 12th as Women Veterans Day with more states signing proclamations(FL)(GA)(AL)...
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on AS REGULAR MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY.
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It’s often said that “not all wounds are visible.” This month offers the prime opportunity to reflect on that sentiment and conceptualize how we can ensure that even though some wounds may not be visible, they are still treated like those wounds that are. I believe this starts with the way in which we talk about and offer treatment for PTS.
There is an abundance of research and data about the presence of post-traumatic stress in veterans that is worth sharing and reflecting on. This month I encourage everyone to take the time to educate themselves on the subject and to review the research that is available in order to gain a better understanding. But for the sake of brevity, I will share one statistic here that in particular impacts and informs the work we do at SoldierStrong.
Between 11 and 20 veterans out of 100 who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom experience symptoms of PTS in a calendar year.
SoldierStrong is working diligently to provide those veterans grappling with PTS another tool to aid in their journey of recovery through the StrongMind program. In recognition of PTS Awareness Month, I wanted to shine a light this month on the service that StrongMind provides.
StrongMind helps veterans recovering from PTS using virtual reality therapy. Virtual reality can be used to deliver prolonged exposure therapy – the practice of recalling a traumatic memory while talking through the nuances of that memory with a therapist – an evidence-based method for treating PTS. Virtual reality therapy makes the process of recalling traumatic memories easier for veterans.
To date, the StrongMind hardware and software has been donated to 13 VA Hospitals and other medical centers across the country, allowing a tremendous number of veterans access to revolutionary PTS treatment.
Even if you are not a veteran, have never experienced PTS yourself or do not know anyone who has experienced PTS, I implore everyone to take a pledge this month to raise awareness about the effects and impacts of PTS on veterans. In addition, I think it is just as important to raise awareness about resources that are effective in treating PTS. This can be done by letting those in your life know about the StrongMind program and any other effective PTS treatments you are aware of to help build and establish a greater awareness of treatment options.
The greater level of awareness that we are able to build, the more likely Americans will recognize important symptoms of PTS and the more likely veterans will reach out to receive the treatment they need.
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American Veterans Center & Gary Sinise Foundation To Visit The Villages! |
On June 26 & 27, 2023 These two great organizations will be visitingThe Villages to record the stories of our Heroes. If you know a WWII hero, Korea or Viet Nam that wishes to share his/her story
please contact Mari Bogdonoff at 516220-5068 to get them on the schedule.
6/26/2023 Eisenhower Recreation Center
6/27/2023 Laurel Manor Recreation Center
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The mission of the AVC is to guard the legacy and honor the sacrifice' of American Veterans from the last 75 years of our shared history. Through oral history preservation, educational programs and civic events, we preserve the stories- and lessons- of veterans past and present, from which future generations can learn.
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Our 2022 Sponsored Service Dogs |
Over the past 8 years we at Villagers For Veterans have sponsored 14 Dogs and this year alone we were able to help 5 Veterans acquire a service Dog.
Muffin (K-9 Service Dog Behavior, Deland , Fl.)
Liberty (K-9 Service Dog Behavior, Deland , Fl.)
Murphy (Patriot Service Dogs, Belleview, Fl.)
Valor (K-9 Service Dog Behavior, Deland , Fl.)
Koda (K-9 Service Dog Behavior, Deland , Fl.)
These Amazing Service Dogs Do an Amazing Job
for their Veterans.
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BROADWAY & BEYOND
Enjoy an evening of wonderful music with Mary Jo Vitale and Mark Kirschenbaum. This original show created specifically for our veterans and Villagers For Veterans is a special treat.
Lake Miona Recreation 6:00-8:50 PM
Villagers Only Event, Must Have Villages ID
Tickets $10pp tables of 8 available
purchase your tickets today!
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ALOHA FROM THE VILLAGES*With Ted Torres
ÅKA ELVIS!
Join Villagers for Veterans as They Welcome back one of The Greatest Elvis Tribute Artists. He Looks Like Elvis, He Sounds Like Elvis and He Moves Like Elvis
Villagers Only Event, Must Have Villages ID
Lake Miona Recreation Center 6:00-8:00PM
BYOB/BYOSnacks
Ticketed Event $ 20.00PP To Purchase Tickets Visit
www.villagersforveterans.org or call 516-220-5068
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Petrina*Comedic Singer and Entertainer
Lake Miona Recreation Center 6:00-8:50 PM
Enjoy an Evening of energetic music, a true treat!!!
Villagers Only Event, Must Have Villages ID
Ticketed Event $10.00PP
To purchase Tickets visit: www.villagersforveterans.org
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9th Orchid Gala
Join Us for One of The Premiere Events In The Villages, as we Honor our Women Veterans
Black & White Masquerade Theme
Savannah Center, The Villages, Fl. 32163
5:30-9:30PM
Full Dinner, Dessert & Cash Bar
Live & Silent Auction
Entertainment by Street Talk Band, With Our Favorite Piano Bar Duo
Ronda & Steve Kaplan
Ticketed Event $75.00PP Tables of 8 $600.00
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Grease Sing Along, Featuring Tight Genes
Lake Miona Recreation Center. 6:00-8:50 PM
Enjoy The Movie, Sing The Songs as Tight Genes Interpret For You!
BYOB/BYOSnacks Popcorn Available
If You enjoyed Mama Mia, You Will love This and So Will The guys.
Dress Like The Movie Optional
Ticketed Event $5.00PP
To Purchase Tickets Visit : www.villagersforveterans.org
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Atlantic City Boys
Saturday October 14, 2023 6:30 pm
Enjoy an Evening of great Music from the Jersey Boys
Mount Dora Music Hall
510 N Baker Street
Mount Dora, Fl 32757
50/50 Raffle * Cash Bar
General Admission $25.00 VIP $40.00
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Hollywood Knights & Our Halloween Bash
Lake Miona Recreation Center 6:00-8:50 Pm.
Enjoy an Evening Of Fun Music and Dance With This Amazing Band
Dress for Halloween, win prizes, have fun!!!!
Villagers Only Event, Must Have Villages ID
Donations Appreciated Event- 50/50 Raffle
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Volunteer & Supporter Appreciation
Dinner & Entertainment To Show Our Appreciation To Those that volunteer and those that support our programs.
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Veterans Holiday Party
Holiday Treats & Entertainment, join us for a free fun evening!
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Tickets Now On Sale!
Back In The Villages with their 15th anniversary Tour
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A Message From Our Founder |
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HONORING THOSE THAT SERVED |
Since its inception on January 15, 2015, Villagers For Veterans has worked non stop to provide those that served with tools and services needed for their healing.
Through our 100% Volunteer organization, we have raised over 2 million dollars. These funds enabled us to provide 33 All Terrain Chairs and Vehicles, Sponsor 15 Service Dogs, Facilitated The Travel of over 100 women Veterans To DC Memorials, Built an ADA Smart House for a quadriplegic Woman Veteran, assisted countless Veterans with small financial grants, and is currently working to get our women veterans off the streets into a safe and loving environment. "Ashley's House" & "Ashley's Cottage".
We value your support and please take comfort in knowing that none of this would be possible without you.
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE ONE VETERAN AT A TIME |
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- Financial Support is always needed and greatly appreciated
- Volunteers, Volunteers, Volunteers
- In-Kind Donation
- Grant Writers
- Committee Members
- Supplies and Products for Auction Baskets
- Office Help (We currently all work from home)
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Homeless Women Veterans
Fastest Growing Demographic
In Today's Military
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Jennifer Badger had been out of the Navy for more than a decade when the circumstances in her life led her into homelessness.
When she enlisted in May 2001, she was looking for a change and a way out of her hometown of Fulton, Missouri. She became an intelligence specialist and deployed to the Persian Gulf in 2002 on the aircraft carrier USS George Washington.
In 2005, she decided to transition back to civilian life. She had become a single mother and wanted to raise her son without worrying about deploying again.
In the years that followed her separation from the military, circumstances and choices led Badger down a troubled path of drug addiction, abusive relationships and depression. She went to prison in 2019 and got high the day she was released.
At that point, she said her family had given up on her.
“I lost everything,” Badger said. “I lost all three of my children. I lost everything but my life.”
With nowhere to go, she became homeless. She slept on friends’ couches. She continued to use drugs. She eventually nearly died from an overdose.
Badger’s story is one in a concerning trend among women veterans.
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Yet, the availability of services offered to women veterans at risk for homelessness has not kept pace with their increasing numbers.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, women transitioning from the military can face many challenges when returning to civilian life that put them at risk for homelessness: single parenting, domestic abuse, psychological aftereffects related to military sexual trauma (MST) or combat, substance abuse, employment and affordable housing.
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There are few things that can restore a veterans sense of freedom. Providing LTC Natalie Vines with an all terrain track chair gave her the ability to move around her property with greater ease, Knowing that
Natalie was safe and in no pain while using her chair, it allowed her husband to tend to the needs of their home.
Small token to show this wounded warrior how much we appreciate her service and sacrifice.
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DINING OUT BINGO
2ND MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT WILDWOOD
COMMUNITY CENTER
5:30-8:45PM
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GIFT BASKETS ARE
ALWAYS APPRECIATED
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GOOD STEWARD OF YOUR
MONEY
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Mailing Address:
2518 Burnsed Boulevard
Box 303
The Villages, FL 32163
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All Financial Reports and Tax Returns can be obtained by contacting Marie Bogdonoff at 352-751-7611 or by email
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