One and a half million Americans have served in military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Over thirty thousand have been physically wounded, but many more have experienced less visible, psychological wounds. Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder have emerged as signature injuries of these conflicts. Recent reports suggest an increase in rates of suicide, alcohol and drug abuse, homelessness, and domestic violence among returning servicemen and women. These traumatic effects of conflict, left unaddressed, will have far-reaching negative consequences for service members and veterans, their families, and their communities. Survivor Corps has unique expertise in helping conflict survivors with these issues.

Survivor Corps has launched a US Pilot Program to aid in the successful reintegration of returning American service members, veterans and their families. In 2008 we will create pilot programs in three states, featuring peer support, mirrored by an online community, and multiplied through the support of national, state and local service organizations. In the future we intend to expand these programs to reach service members and veterans throughout the US.

Peer Support - Survivor Corps will train organizations to connect those most affected by war to each other so that they may better overcome trauma and injury, reconnect with their families, and contribute to their communities. This approach, known as peer support, is based on the understanding that the best help comes from someone who has been through a similar experience.

Online Community - Survivor Corps will offer online peer support with trained moderators, survivor-hosted blogs and discussion groups, and information on where to find additional support. This service will be available to all service members and veterans across the country.

Convene Public, Private and Civil Institutions - Survivor Corps will reach out to diverse partners and foster a dialogue aimed identifying and filling the gaps in services that ensure long-term health and community reintegration for returning American service members and their families.

Survivor Corps has also established a partnership with the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC). Sparked by concerns about military children dealing with illness, injury or death of a parent, MCEC developed their program entitled Living in the New Normal: Supporting Children Through Trauma and Loss through collaboration with experts in the fields of trauma and grief, resiliency, health care and child development. Living in the New Normal encourages families to ensure their children have the tools to weather life’s storms, fosters home front efforts to support military children and provides educators and other concerned adults with the information on how to support children during times of uncertainty, trauma and grief.