Our Approach

Some of our initiatives have included:

• In San Diego, California, a group provided a specialized training center, where more than 30 film industry professionals share their video and photojournalism expertise with participating wounded Marines. Wounded servicemen and women learned the art and craft of visual storytelling, a new skill to aid their careers and help them heal. The school operated on the same model as a film production set. The curriculum teaches skills in a range of media arts, including: photography, cinematography, audio and editing. They also provide entry-level job training. Each student graduated with IATSE Union membership and job placement assistance. BWF provided equipment such as cameras, editing software and desktop computers designated for five TBI students.

• In Moscow, Idaho, a group focuses on comprehensive, individualized scholarship programs created by the University of Idaho to provide financial, academic and social support to veterans who were disabled on active duty since 11 Sept 2001. BWF sponsored two TBI/PTSD service members as “Bob Woodruff Foundation Scholars” to be educated at the University of Idaho.

• In Jacksonville, North Carolina, a group facilitates “A Warriors Wish” program to grant wishes to severely injured service members in an effort to restore hope in the eyes of a hero. Beyond meeting immediate physical and emotional needs, A Warrior's Wish fulfills a desire for quality of life beyond recovery and a quest for life-gratifying endeavors. Whether realizing a dream to go hunting, ride a bike again or own a home adapted to their specialized needs, it is the mission of hope for the warriors to see that injured veterans and their families are actively engaged. A Warrior's Wish is not a direct grant intended to pay off bills, or to purchase or pay off automobiles. Rather, it is a gift intended to empower and allow service members to find enjoyment and satisfaction in life beyond recovery. Through A Warriors Wish, BWF sponsored two home modifications for soldiers who have TBI that include “endless” pools used for therapeutic purposes.

• In New York City, New York, a group is building a residence for veterans based on a highly effective model that stresses recovery, employment and graduation to independent living. The residence will strive to create an atmosphere of healing and dignity, and will feature small studio apartments, staff offices, a community room, a computer lab and a garden. The goal for all residents will be to transition to independent, healthy and productive lives in the community. BWF sponsored a brick and mortar project in The Bronx, New York, earmarked specifically to serve low-income veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan who are suffering from PTSD or TBI and may be at risk of homelessness or overcrowding.

• In Harker Heights, Texas, a group provides family support services, counseling and professional training. BWF invested in their “Living in a New Normal” program that trains educators, school counselors, community leaders and other concerned adults with information and tools to support military children during times of uncertainty, trauma and grief. These services are especially helpful for those working with and treating children who have parents suffering from TBI and PTSD. BWF funded the “Living in the New Normal” program in order to impact the lives of thousands of individual children living with a parent who has sustained trauma in war.

• In San Antonio, Texas, a group is building a Soldier and Family Assistance Center facility in Fort Sam Houston, which will be the military’s state of the art burn, TBI, and amputee clinic. The facility is designed to be a resource center for patients and families during their long rehabs at the center. In order to assist all families with resources, counseling and transition assistance, BWF funded a portion of this bricks and mortar project.

• In New York State, a group provides professional training, education, reintegration and socialization to individuals with brain injuries. The group serves the injured and their families, hospital staff, rehabilitation and service coordinators, school children, psychologists, physicians, financial planners, attorneys, educators, state and federal officials, and veterans. BWF provided twenty scholarships for members of the military, both active and separated, who received injuries during their time of service in Iraq or Afghanistan to attend the Brain Injury Association of New York conference on 5-6 June 2008: “A World of Hope: Making Lifetime Connections.”

• In Burnsville, Minnesota, a group provides custom-made adaptive clothing, free of charge, to injured service members aiding in their recovery, providing a tangible reminder of gratitude for their sacrifices, and giving them an added measure of comfort and freedom as they recover from their injuries and return to everyday life. Adaptive clothing accommodates their medical devices and conditions, provides ease of use, increases personal independence and minimizes the visual impact of their medical condition. BWF purchased 1,200 pairs of shorts that will be specially adapted for spring/summer and given to individual service members.

• In Bethesda, Maryland, a group assists injured service members and their families while they recuperate at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center. They provide assistance with rental cars, transportation, housing and mentorships for service members and families during hospitalization and rehabilitation in the Washington D.C. area. BWF designated funding for a transportation and lodging program for individuals and families at the bedside as well as a mentoring initiative to service members reintegrating to the D.C., Virginia and Maryland areas.

• In Rochester, New York, a group improves the quality of life for veterans and their dependents by offering free veteran-specific services through a seamless continuum of care designed to nurture individual potential and provide support in building a better future. Its goals are to find qualifying veterans, assess their needs, manage their care and help them solve their problems through reintegration training, counseling and job placement assistance. BWF funded their Iraq/Afghanistan Veteran’s Reintegration Program for individual service members transitioning to New York State.

• In New York City, New York, an education and production organization provides theatrical training for persons with physical disabilities. The Writers Program for Wounded Warriors is designed for physically disabled veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, including those with TBI and PTSD. It is a 10-day program designed to study the craft of writing, to learn about writing for the stage and screen, and to tell their stories in a theatrical setting. Vets transition their stories into monologues, meet and interact with other combat veterans, train with professional playwrights and develop invaluable writing and communication skills for future growth. They have partnered with Vets4Vets, a peer support group for veterans of the conflicts in OIF/OEF, and with Georgetown University to pioneer methods of creative art-based therapies for veterans with TBI. BWF funded the Writers Program for Wounded Warriors with 10 “Bob Woodruff Scholar” scholarships for wounded service members who have sustained TBI and/or PTSD.

• In Wheat Ridge, Colorado, a group gathers and distributes millions of dollars worth of food, clothing, building supplies, toys, furniture, household goods and other items. These donations serve a wide variety of groups, including members of the armed forces and their families. The center, which is run entirely by volunteers, solicits donations, warehouses and delivers the items to families in need. BWF funded their efforts to supply and deliver 120 beds (mattresses, box springs and frames) for wounded OIF/OEF veterans identified through Army installations and the communities.

• In Ketchum, Idaho, a group is enriching the lives of people with disabilities through recreation and sports. The program helps attendees develop the physical skills and confidence they need to enjoy all sorts of sports and recreational activities. These programs and services also provide healing and therapy, and help people develop the life skills, courage and hope they need to live independently and interact with family, peers and their community. BWF funding will help cover costs of one fly fishing camp and two winter camps specifically for service members with TBI and PTSD. The group will offer camps at no cost to the service member and their significant other.

• In St. Louis Park, Minnesota, a group provides free air transportation exclusively to wounded warriors, veterans and their families for medical and other compassionate purposes through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots. BWF funding will help cover program costs associated with dispatching flights throughout the United States.

• In Pamona, California, a group is providing individuals the opportunity to maximize their medical recovery and rehabilitation potential efficiently in an environment that recognizes their uniqueness, dignity and self-esteem. BWF funding will help cover costs for inpatient treatment, outpatient transitional living rehabilitation and other support services not covered by DoD TRICARE or VA.

• In Culpepper, Virginia, a group provides financial aid to wounded and critically ill service members, their families and medical retirees transitioning from military life to civilian life. The aid is designed to cover the gap between active duty pay and VA benefits. The group also sends backpacks of clothing and hygiene items to Combat Support Hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan. BWF funded the group’s military assistance and travel assistance programs.

• In Albany, New York, a group works to improve the quality of life for persons with brain injury, their families and friends, and to prevent brain injury. The Association serves individuals with brain injury, their families, hospital staff, rehabilitation and service coordinators, school children, psychologists, physicians, financial planners, attorneys, educators, state and federal officials, and veterans. BWF funded twenty scholarships for members of the military, both active and separated, who received injuries during their time of service in Iraq or Afghanistan to attend the organization’s annual conference.

• In Front Royal, Virginia, a group focuses on active duty, reserve, and retired military personnel and their families needing financial help for medical, educational, and other extraordinary expenses not covered by military or veterans institutions. BWF funded 32 students for 1 year to attend dive school, one of the organization’s adaptive sports programs.

• In McLean, Virginia, a group provides tangible support to the children of deployed and severely injured National Guard and Military Reserve personnel through grants for enrichment activities and tutoring. BWF funded 200 grants for after school activities for the children of severely injured OIF/OEF service members and veterans.

• In Alexandria, Virginia, an organization provides essential personal use and comfort items to, and organizes recreational opportunities for injured American military service personnel undergoing medical treatment and/or recuperating in government hospitals or rehabilitation facilities. BWF funded the cost and installation of a fully-computerized, web-based, turn-key digital library at Fort Hood, Texas and training of local volunteers to operate the library for two years.

• In Greenwood, Indiana, an organization was started by a service member who was wounded in Iraq in 2004 and its mission is to assist and help service members severely wounded in combat by providing specific items, services, and programs to meet their needs and by promoting public awareness and utilizing community and public support. The grant is designated for the purpose of providing backpacks with IPODS and/or PSPs loaded with music, books and games and athletic wear, to OIF/OEF service members or veterans with traumatic brain injury or combat stress. BWF funds purchased 126 backpacks with labels and their contents, 3 trips to Washington DC, and 3 trips to Brook Army Medical Center for 2 people to distribute these packs.

• In San Francisco, California, a group provides veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with one-on-one personalized career development and job placement counseling; case management, mental health counseling, vocational rehabilitation to include TBI accommodation, job training and bridge housing during their job search. BWF funded salaries and fringe benefits and the remaining amount is designated to fund operations.

• In New York City, New York, a group is working to reduce the rate of suicide and the prevalence of emotional distress in student veterans. BWF funded the cost of producing a national PSA in which mtvU will donate air time to broadcast to over 750 campuses with the potential of reaching 9 million viewers.

• In Chicago, Illinois, a group works to support, engage, and empower individuals with acquired brain injuries to fully utilize their abilities to lead more active, productive and fulfilled lives with maximum independence and dignity. BWF provided funding to offset the cost of day services, for OIF/OEF Veterans who have been diagnosed with TBI.

• In Springfield, Virginia, an organization works to improve the lives of people who are affected by brain injury through community-based services, education and advocacy. BWF funded the cost of day services for OIF/OEF Veteran's that have been diagnosed with TBI. This funding will offset costs while preparing a formal model of specialized services directly targeted toward successful community integration and long term support for wounded warriors.

• In Dallas, Texas, a group provides children with age-appropriate therapeutic interventions as well as information for parents about how to help their children at home. BWF funded 3 camps for 150 children.

• In Bethesda, Maryland, a group is developing a national network of mental health service providers to ameliorate a mental health crisis affecting our returning service persons, their families, and, by extension, the country at large. BWF funded salaries and FICA and Medicare Taxes for these new positions.

• In Great Neck, New York, a center is dedicated to enhancing the well being of law enforcement and military personnel, and their families, living on Long Island and in the New York metropolitan region. BWF funded the salary and benefits for a full-time Psychology fellow who will provide clinical services to OIF/OEF Service Members, Veterans and their Families. Fellow will implement program geared specifically to parents of wounded veterans and will develop management and leadership skills that will benefit the TBI/CBT Stress community as a whole.

Insighted a ReMIND movement that is spreading to all corners of the country through grassroots fundraising and brand awareness

Tweet to ReMIND Campaign

Outreach through speaking engagements

Production of ReMIND videos

BWF is working to reduce the stigma regarding the Hidden Injuries of War

BWF is working to reduce duplicative efforts and competing agendas among non-government organizations and VSOs.

BWF is promoting tolerance, acceptance and training to address the needs of those with the Hidden Injures of War among educational institutions and businesses.

BWF is working to ensure that primary caregivers including spouses and family members are given the appropriate resources and support to provide the highest level of care for injured service members.