Leading at Home
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Leading at Home Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America 2012 Annual Report IAVA’S Mission “Iraq and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the Afghanistan premier support organization for new veterans in the country. Founded in 2004 by an Iraq veteran, IAVA now has Veterans of over 270,000 member veterans and supporters nationwide. America […] IAVA has been designated a “Four Star Charity” by the nonprofit charity evaluation organization Charity Navigator, remains the its highest ranking. IAVA has also been given an “A” rating most from CharityWatch, and was named one of the Best Charities in America by the Independent Charities of important America. organization Since 2001, two and a half million men and women have bravely served our country in Iraq and Afghanistan. IAVA representing is building a robust support network for these veterans— from their deployments, to their transition home, and the new through the rest of their lives. generation of IAVA’s best-in-class programs provide direct assistance to veterans and their families, through both online and on- veterans.” the-ground engagement; raise awareness about our community’s unique strengths and challenges; and TIME Magazine promote advocacy on behalf of veterans, to ensure their rights and benefits are protected. These programs are widely recognized for their impact, efficiency and transparency. Our services are provided completely free of charge to all IAVA member veterans. With your support, IAVA is helping them to succeed at home—and reach their potential to become the New Greatest Generation. To support the movement, visit www.iava.org IAVA’s mission is to improve the lives of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families. 2 IAVA FY2012 Annual Report LETTER FROM THE CEO Dear Friends, As a nation, we have reached a crossroads. The war in Iraq is over, and the war in Afghanistan is coming to a close. Two and a half million men and women have served our country in these wars, yet they represent less than one percent of the U.S. population. For more than a decade, we have asked the few to carry the burden of the many. Now is the time to ensure they’re supported. During their service overseas, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans assumed great responsibilities, starting with the lives of the men and women in their units. Some have managed budgets similar to the size of small companies, while others have filled equivalent roles to civilian doctors, journalists and diplomats. This is a diverse community, with diverse strengths. Their challenge is not developing new skills for civilian society, but ensuring that the rest of the country understands and values their experiences. That is where IAVA comes in. Through offering best-in-class programs, we are building an empowered generation of veterans who provide sustainable leadership for our country and their communities. And thanks to our donors and partners, IAVA achieved huge impact in 2012. Our veteran membership grew over 11%, to 158,000—while our programs helped to improve the lives of 380,000 veterans nationwide. IAVA also built new partnerships in 2012 with leaders in the philanthropic and veterans’ sectors. Working with the Robin Hood Foundation in New York City, we launched the Rapid Response Referral Program, a personalized case management service that has the potential to revolutionize how veterans and their families are connected with critical resources and benefits. And in partnership with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, we’re raising awareness of the disability claims backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs, an issue that impacts hundreds of thousands of veterans nationwide. IAVA achieved this impact with remarkable efficiency. We continue to hold a perfect four- star rating from Charity Navigator, and with 77% of our expenses directed towards delivering programs, we’re providing strong return on investment. With your support, IAVA can achieve even greater impact in years ahead. We will continue to stand with this generation of veterans—as it evolves into our country’s next generation of leaders. Thanks for having our backs. Paul Rieckhoff Iraq Veteran Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Support Veterans at www.IAVA.org/Donate 3 WHY BECOME AN IAVA Member? When you become an IAVA member veteran, you are instantly connected to IAVA’s unique programs, services and resources, as well as other veterans. In a cluttered and confusing atmosphere, IAVA is your guide. IAVA’s member veterans have the latest information about their GI Bill benefits, they know which organizations are actively hiring veterans, they can ask a Case Manager to help them find mental health support—and they know they are not alone. Our programs and services are tailored to meet the individual needs of our members. Whether you need help with obtaining civilian employment, seeking treatment for health issues, or finding ways to connect with your fellow veterans, we’ve got your back. IAVA is a hub for this generation of vets and their families, offering an array of services that are easily accessible online or over the phone. MEMBERSHIP GROWTH At the end of 2012, IAVA's membership totaled 158,429—an increase of over 11% from 2011. Our member veterans come from communities all across the country. 4 IAVA FY2012 Annual Report EMPOWERING OUR MEMBERS IAVA’S Impact IAVA’s programs are designed to empower the veterans’ community, both online and offline. Each of our core program areas—health, education, employment and community—supports veterans and their families, nationwide. Health: IAVA makes it a priority to ensure that both mental and physical health needs are being addressed in our community. In 2012, we provided mental health support to over 25,000 veterans. Education: With hundreds of thousands of new veterans headed back to school under the New GI Bill, IAVA provides the tools and support they need to make informed decisions. In 2012, we provided education support to nearly 350,000 veterans. In 2012, IAVA’s Employment: programs Because no veteran should come home to an impacted unemployment check, IAVA is dedicated to fighting the the lives of high joblessness rates in our community. In 2012, our 380,000 employment support programs reached over 750 veterans. veterans across the Community: country. To create a united and supportive movement for new veterans, IAVA annually hosts over 350 events nationwide. In 2012, our community-building events engaged over 5,000 veterans. IAVA’s programs are scalable, replicable, efficient—and grounded in our in-depth, real-time understanding of the veterans’ community. Support Veterans at www.IAVA.org/Donate 5 ASSISTANCE Education Returning veterans often don’t know enough about the education benefits they’ve earned through their service. To help veterans understand and access their GI Bill benefits, IAVA built a comprehensive online guide at NewGIBill.org. The site features IAVA’s unique New GI Bill calculator, which enables veterans to check their benefit eligibility in seconds. New GIBill.org also provides access to direct support from GI Bill experts, as well as regular updates on any legislation that impacts GI Bill benefits. In 2012 alone, 348,500 veterans visited the New GI Bill Calculator to receive the support they needed to understand and fully utilize their GI Bill benefits. IAVA also answered more than 1,000 direct inquiries about GI Bill benefits by phone and online. Marine Ryan Weemer joined IAVA in 2012 as our new Education Case Manager, to work directly with veterans who need support with using their new GI Bill benefits. Previously, Ryan worked as a primary counselor for chemically dependent and homeless veterans for another non-profit organization while completing his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Louisville, Kentucky. A veteran of Iraq, he was wounded in action in Fallujah during 2004, and awarded the Purple Heart and Navy Commendation medal with combat distinguishing device for valor under fire. As a veteran, Ryan understands the tremendous value of the New GI Bill—and how to help other vets take best advantage of its benefits. Through providing vet-to-vet education support, IAVA is helping this generation of veterans increase their marketable skills, and gain better access to quality jobs. A proven model, we want to replicate Ryan's role in the years ahead and help even more veterans. Since its launch in 2009, NewGIBill.org has been viewed over 1,200,000 times. 6 IAVA FY2012 Annual Report ASSISTANCE Highlights From 2012: Launching The RRRP Transitioning from military to civilian life isn’t easy. Veterans must navigate complex This has systems to obtain health care and other benefits. They also face tough decisions about be“en the first education, hurdles to obtaining employment and challenges in rejoining their organization that communities. I feel truly cares and that takes a In 2012, IAVA and the Robin Hood Foundation recognized the need for a “one-stop shop” vested interest in to link veterans in New York City with the support they need to overcome these helping returning challenges. In response, we created the Rapid Response Referral Program (RRRP). veterans in any way possible. The RRRP connects veterans and their families with critical Without the IAVA resources in the areas of employment, education, health, public organization, and benefits, housing and legal assistance. the extensive and dedicated efforts This high-tech, high-touch program provides individualized case management for every of your staff, veteran who contacts IAVA. Through asking targeted questions, our case managers there is no way I identify each veteran’s unique needs, from financial aid to mental health support. We would have been then refer our veteran clients to the resources and support systems that best meet these able to address or needs.