Returning Veterans Resource Project North West

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Community Links & Resources:

Disclaimer: We hope that you find helpful and useful information through these resources. Please provide us with your feedback on any of these links.

The links below are for informational purposes only. We make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information obtained through these links, and do not warrant or endorse any services provided at any of these links. You are advised to fully investigate important issues such as insurance, licensing, and safety issues before accepting services.

Resources:

Bob Tackett, 503-660-1441, bobtackett@mhcc.edu
Bob works with Hire Vets First at WorkSource Portland Metro East. He offers job training for vets, and helps vets learn how to write a resume, improve their interview skills, and make their skills transferable to the job market.
www.KevinsDriftboat.com
Kevin's Drift Boat is a fishing tribute to Oregon National Guard SSG Kevin D. Davis. www.KevinsDriftboat.com connects veterans with fishermen, who enjoy both steelhead fishing and fly fishing, through the use of a yahoo group. These dedicated fishermen help returning veterans discover the rewarding activity of Steelhead fishing in Oregon rivers. They have equipment to get a soldier fishing at any time of year.
www.williamtemple.org
William Temple House provides professional mental health counseling to individuals, couples and families who are not covered by other health programs or cannot afford fees charged by private agencies.
We offer relationship classes and programs to assist early adolescents (ages 10 – 13) build self-confidence.
In addition to mental health counseling, William Temple House provides emergency social services including food, children’s clothing, and other material assistance to more than 12,000 families each year. We also provide pastoral care upon request.
We have served the Portland area for 42 years. We are located at 2023 NW Hoyt in Portland. We have locations in North Portland, East Portland, Hillsboro, and SE Portland.
For more information on locations and services call Colleen Lewis, family coordinator for the families of returning veterans, at 503-226-3021 Ext. 219
Restorative Yoga
Free classes. All veterans invited. Renew body, mind and spirit. Deep relaxations, yogic breathing, gentle supported postures. You don't need to be flexible to do yoga. Fridays 10:45-12:15, Balanced and Whole Wellness Center, 4423 NE Tillamook, Portland. Call Belle Mann, 503-227-8635
www.writearound.org
Write Around Portland runs free writing workshops for various community groups who might otherwise not have access to the power of writing and community. They organize readings at which participants can share their writing with the greater community, and they publish anthologies of participants' writings. . For more information on workshops call Dawn Thompson at 503-796-9224. Open to individuals living on a low income or with a disability. Write Around Portland office: 917 SW Oak/Suite 405, Portland, Oregon
Free Haircuts
Trisha Warren: 503-241-3559, FYI Salon and Boutique, 1118 NW Marshall St., Portland. I am a hair stylist with 18 years experience. I look forward to hair cutting/styling of both veterans and the family members of veterans. An attractive haircut and new look not only make a person feel better but can really help in the job interview. Give yourself the opportunity to feel good about yourself. I am limited to one person per week on a first come first serve basis.
Support from an amputee
My name is Jaime McFarland. I'm an amputee who would like to help returning vets during the recovery process. I had trouble finding other amputees while recovering and it was difficult not knowing what to expect from this type of life changing injury. Please use me as a resource in your recovery: 503.358.9731, mcfarland43@hotmail.com.
The Salvation Army Home Front War Relief
This program provides emergency financial assistance to dependents of deployed military personnel as well as returning veterans who have suffered a hardship as a result of deployment. Contact Mariel Grimord-Isham for more information at 503-731-0152.
www.taichichih.org
T'AI CHI CHIH Free classes for veterans offered by Steve Marsh: This contemporary form of T'ai Chi is taught at the Overlook House in N. Portland near Kaiser Interstate and MAX. It consists of 19 movements and one pose, and is easy to learn in 8 weeks. It requires no athletic ability nor co-ordination. It circulates and balances "chi energy" for wellness of body, mind, and spirit. See our website for more info (www.taichichih.org) concerning all of the benefits. Monday morning and Thursday evening classes are offered throughout the year. Free classes. Steve Marsh M.Ed, teacher. For registration or more info call or email Steve at 503-283-4991, tccmarsh@hotmail.com
www.pacificnorthwestpilates.com
Jean Leavenworth is a fully certified instructor in STOTT PILATES and co-founded Pacific Northwest Pilates in 2001. Jean has an M.S. in Kinesiology and specializes in rehabilitative pilates. She has taught in physical therapy clinics, health clubs and private studios throughout Portland and has taught overseas for STOTT PILATES in Greece, Ireland, Iceland and Japan. Jean offers free private and group classes in pilates for returning veterans, focusing on strengthening core muscles to increase movement efficiency and motor control. Pilates equipment is extremely useful for rehabilitation as it can be modified for all levels of strength and fitness. Pacific Northwest Pilates is wheelchair accessible and open for clients Monday-Saturday. Pacific NW Pilates - 5201 SW Westgate Drive, Suite 114, Portland, OR 97221 (PH)503 292-4409
Veterans' Bridge Fund Project
Through this project church congregations provide small grants to help veterans in transition, providing one time assistance that can bridge the gap—a deposit on housing; a utility bill payment, a month’s rent or mortgage; or purchase of clothing or equipment for a new job. Realizing that emergency requests must be met quickly, they strive to get funds to the requesting agency or therapist within 2-3 days. For bridge grant requests therapists should contact: Cyndy Flock, 503-246-3239 or Gerry Foote 503-245-3832. For household furnishings or clothing, contact: Anita Brackensick 503-245-2769.
Heads Up For Heroes
This program offers free services to any veteran with TBI, using various forms of neurofeedback. Neurofeedback is a noninvasive procedure that monitors and analyzes brain wave activity and uses the information as feedback. Surface, non-invasive sensors are placed on the head with a conductive paste and the EEG generated by the brain is picked up and fed back to the brain. The brain learns about its own behavior and normalizes its own activity.
Mild to moderate brain injury patients have been seen to recover ability to take in information, improve short-term memory, organization, sequencing, prioritizing, sensory discrimination, initiation, confidence, assertiveness, and sense of humor. Depression, irritability, and explosiveness respond at the same time. People should know within eight sessions whether the neurofeedback is having an effect. More severe problems require longer treatments. The program is particularly interested in reaching veterans whose injuries are at least two years old but we are willing to work with anyone able to come to the clinic. Interested veterans should contact Kayle Sandberg-Lewis, LMT, MA at 503.234.2733 or StressLess@PDXBetter-Brain.com
Military Suicide Awareness & Prevention
Mission Statement:
Military Suicide Awareness and Prevention is a confidential support group for those who have lost loved ones to suicide before, during or after military service. Our focus is not just on what we’ve lost, but also on the hope that future losses can be prevented with proper care and intervention. We offer information, support and understanding. Even though they’ve gone on, our soldiers’ service will never be forgotten. No one will be left behind.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/militarysuicideawarenessprevention
Nick Manci
What I offer is a guided trip into the deepest, most real, beautiful part of you. The "You" that is separate from your history, habits, baggage, story and addictions. And this is not just another way of thinking. It is actually separate from the mind all together. It does not matter what you've been through. This part of you has not been effected. But the more you're carrying on top of it, the more discipline and hard work it will take to get back home, to your heart, your soul. It doesn't matter whether you've been there before or not. I'll get you there. Just be ready to work.
This class will be held every Monday 1:45-3:00 pm at yogabhoga.com, 1401 SE Morrison, starting May 5, 2008.
Be there 10 min before class. Doors will get locked after class starts. Bring a yoga mat if you have one (Marshals or Ross) light shorts and shirt, water and a towel.

Links:

www.orng-vet.org
Oregon National Guard Reintegration Team web site. Describes post-mobilization services to assist Guard members as they transition back to their families and community, including an online family support program.
www.workinginoregon.org
This is the Official website of the Oregon Employment Department.
www.ncptsd.va.gov
National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Contains detailed information about PTSD, including treatment modalities, general resource information, publications, research and contact information.
www.marineparents.com
Provides information, connections and services for Marine families and friends.
www.va.gov
Veterans Administration web site: provides a thorough review of benefits information and assistance for returning veterans and their families, including health, education, compensation, publications and more.
www.va.gov/vbs/health
Veterans Health Information: lists links to civilian and military health care information.
www.tricare.osd.mil
TRICARE: the military health plan
www.armyonesource.com
This comprehensive site provides information and resources for troops and their families, addressing all areas of military life, including deployment and post-deployment concerns.
www.pdhealth.mil
Deployment Health Clinical Center of the Department of Defense: Health information for clinicians, veterans, family members and friends.
www.hooah4health.com/deployment
A health promotion and wellness site specifically designed by the U.S.Army to address deployment issues and the needs of soldiers, particularly in reserve units.
www.iraqwarveterans.org
Web site created by the Iraq War Veterans Organization to provide information and support for Iraq veterans, active military personnel and family members. All aspects of pre-deployment, deployment and post-deployment are included.
www.dsusa.org
Disabled Sports USA was originally established in 1967 by disabled Vietnam veterans to serve those injured in the war. The organization now offers nationwide sports rehabilitation programs to anyone with a disability.
www.hirevetsfirst.gov
A comprehensive site that includes a "Veterans Zone" and an "Employer Zone" where jobseekers can view job opportunities and employers can post positions available within their companies. There is a helpful "skills translator" which assists veterans with translating their military experience into those that will be understood by civilian employers.
www.ajb.org
This is an electronic labor exchange that provides job seekers and employers with a marketplace in which to find each other over the Internet at no cost to them.
www.taonline.com
Transition Assistance Online has developed a website for assisting veterans with smoothly transitioning from their military service to a civilian career. The site has a job bank for job seekers and employers as well as an extensive list of continuing education resources. A free newsletter is offered for users.
www.vetsuccess.gov
The VA has just started this new website. It is for disabled veterans to use if they're looking for a job.
www.agc-Oregon.org/public/legislative_affairs/or_cong_deleg.shtml
This link lists contact information for one's representative in Congress. Listed below is the contact information for Oregon's representatives.

Senator Ron Wyden (D)
230 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-5244, Fax: (202) 228-2717
wyden.senate.gov;

Senator Gordon Smith (R)
404 Russell Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-3753, Fax: (202) 228-3997
gsmith.senate.gov;

District #1 Rep. David Wu(D)
2338 Rayburn Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-0855, Fax: (202) 225-9497
www.house.gov/wu;

District #2 Rep. Greg Walden (R)
walden.house.gov;

District #3 Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D)
2667 Rayburn House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-4811, Fax: (202) 225-8941
blumenauer.house.gov;

District #4 Rep. Peter DeFazio (D)
defazio.house.gov;

District #5 Rep. Darlene Hooley (D)
2430 Rayburn House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-5711, Fax: (202) 225-5699
hooley.house.gov;
www.giveanhour.org
A national network of mental health professionals who provide free mental health services to military personnel and their families affected by the current military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
www.onefreedom.org
www.onefreedom.org: ONE Freedom is a nonprofit organization offering direct trainings, lectures, skill-building workshops and interactive media to help veterans and their families understand and transform the trauma they may be experiencing.
www.soldierstoveterans.org
Soldiers to Veterans is a community of disabled veterans and their families coming together to turn struggles and pain into positive action. It is a safe place to ask frank questions and speak openly of experiences. Non-disabled veterans, their spouses, and professionals are welcome to join the forum to
mentor and empower the families struggling with life after the war.
Other Helping Agencies
The following nonprofit organizations provide financial and other help to wounded veterans (and their families) returning from Iraq and Afghanistan:

Veterans of Foreign Wars: 816-756-3390; www.vfw.org

American Legion: 202-861-2700; www.legion.org

Disabled American Veterans: 877-426-2838; www.dav.org

Wounded Warrior Project: 904-296-7350; www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Swords to Plowshares: 415-252-4788; www.swords-to-plowshares.org

Homes for Our Troops: www.homesforourtroops.org

Coalition to Salute America's Heroes: 914-432-5400; www.saluteheroes.org/

Fisher House: 888-294-8560; www.fisherhouse.org

Veterans Affairs Department Suicide Hot Line: 1 800 273 8255

HELP ON-LINE:
Veterans Affairs Department: www.va.gov/
Suicide Prevention Network USA: www.spanusa.org/
Wounded Warrior Project: www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
www.ohsu.edu/son/research/familyreintegrationproject.shtml
The Family Reintegration Following Guard Deployment Project is seeking Guard members and families who are interested in participating in a focus group interview that lasts two hours or less. Their long-range goal is to develop interventions to reduce problems with family reintegration following deployment. The purpose of the study is to explore and describe the experiences of family reintegration of Guard members deployed in the Global War on Terror and elicit their perceptions of what would be helpful to them as they face these challenges. Individual interviews are also available.
info.helmetstohardhats.org/content/index.jsp
Helmets to Hardhats is a national program that connects National Guard, Reserve and transitioning active-duty military members with quality career training and employment opportunities within the construction industry.
brainandspinalcord.org
A resource for those looking for information about brain and spinal cord injuries, including information pertaining to PTSD.