The Mission Continues Veterans Find Gateway to Future as Community Leaders at St. Louis Orientation
St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) July 10, 2013 -- The Gateway to the West is the gateway to the future for veterans of the war on terrorism looking to begin the next chapter of serving their country — leading their communities at home. More than 80 post-9/11 veterans will gather in St. Louis July 19– 21, for a weekend of leadership training and community service as part of orientation with The Mission Continues, a national nonprofit organization founded and headquartered in St. Louis. These latest recruits will join nearly 700 other post-9/11 veterans who have worked with The Mission Continues to navigate the transition to post-military life by reconnecting to their communities and their sense of purpose through volunteerism.
Known as Charlie Orientation, the weekend includes classroom training and a service blitz to rehabilitate the Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis in North St. Louis. The St. Louis Cardinals and Fox Sports Midwest will also host the veterans for a special ceremony in front of the crowds at Busch Stadium. On the field Sunday afternoon, the veterans will pledge an oath of service to the community before returning to their hometowns to spend the next six months volunteering with local nonprofits.
“What is unique about The Mission Continues is our emphasis on empowering veterans to have a positive, personal impact on their local community,” said Eric Greitens, former Navy SEAL and CEO and founder of The Mission Continues. “We can’t think of a better way to celebrate our hometown. We’re honored to bring the collective enthusiasm of veterans from across the country to support the greater St. Louis community.”
Continuing to Serve at Home
As part of Charlie Orientation, the new veteran recruits and alumni will team up with Fox Sports Midwest and project sponsors Boeing and Benjamin Moore Paints to transform the campus of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis in North St. Louis city. Through their service experience in St. Louis and throughout their six month fellowships at home, veterans learn to translate military abilities into civilian skills, gaining valuable work experience and pursuing a defined post-fellowship goal: full-time employment, pursuit of higher education or a full-time position of community service.
The volunteers will build a new picnic area, complete with planter boxes and landscaping, as well as spruce up common areas with new paint. The site improvements will support the center in its mission to provide a safe place for children to learn and grow. Community volunteers, Boeing employees, the Fox Sports Midwest team and Cardinals broadcaster Al Hrabosky will work side-by-side with the veterans serving the community.
“We welcome and are very delighted to have the Charlie Orientation participants on site to assist in the transformation of our exterior environment and make it even more appealing to our members,” said Dr. Flint W. Fowler, Ph.D, President, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. “The example the veterans of The Mission Continues set in leadership and community service are key attributes we instill in members on a daily basis. And, it’ll be good for our Club kids to see them in action.”
Gateway to Success for St. Louis Veterans
Among the members of Charlie class are St. Louis metro residents Sean McCauley and Y’Londa Mitchell. McCauley, a resident of Swansea, Ill., was honorably discharged in 2012 after 21 years as a U.S. Air Force firefighter. He was deployed all over the world, including Saudi Arabia and Oman in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, fulfilling a dual role serving his country and the community as a fire inspector. McCauley will spend the next six months volunteering at the St. Louis Science Center.
Mitchell, who grew up in St. Louis and currently resides in Florissant, Mo., served four years as a U.S. Army personnel and security specialist. She was deployed to Iraq supporting the 87th Infantry Division, and upon her return, reported directly to Brigadier General Michael L. Oates before receiving an honorable discharge. Mitchell’s fellowship pairs her with Catholic Charities’ Veterans Advocacy Project, where she’ll assist her fellow veterans in securing benefits while she pursues her Masters in Clinical Mental Health at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
“Coming home was a culture shock for me – it was hard for me to find my place,” Mitchell said. “It’s my duty as a veteran and a future therapist to change the conversation about this generation of veterans and our legacy to the community.”
Media Opportunities:
Film/Photography:
-80+ veterans lined up at attention, pledging to serve the community at Busch Stadium
-The Mission Continues Fellows and volunteers renovating Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis
Interviews:
-80+ The Mission Continues fellows (representing all five military branches)
-Eric Greitens, founder and CEO of The Mission Continues and 2013 TIME 100 honoree
-David Pokorny, director of marketing, Fox Sports Midwest
-Dr. Flint W. Fowler, Ph.D, President, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis
Laura L'Esperance, The Mission Continues, (212) 430-6549, [email protected]
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