Program Streams
Wounded Warriors Canada addresses our Mission through three main Streams of Programming
1. "All the Way Home" (OSI Funding)
The unique circumstances of Military Service coupled with personal and environmental factors affect and shape the lives of Canadian Forces members. It is obvious to all of us that everyone is affected by the world they interact with. When members of the Canadian Forces return home they have been changed by their service. For some these changes are as obvious as the physical scars they bear. Some have learned to appreciate life all the more; for others the scars are invisible.
In some ways it is as if they left a part of themselves “over there.” Friends and loved ones of those members affected by operational stress injuries often remark that the person who returned is not the same person that deployed. The goal of the “All the Way Home” Program is to empower members suffering from operation stress injuries and related conditions to return home in a holistic manner - psychologically and spiritually.
Anyone affected by OSI’s face a number of obstacles and challenges on their road to recovery. Within the Canadian Forces Community the challenges are particularly daunting for members of the Primary Reserve. They are the most vulnerable and most often forgotten sufferers.
Working in conjunction with those who provide care to Canadian Forces Members including CF Health Services, OSSIS, Unit Chaplains, DCSM and other interested partners the program will seek to encourage members to avail themselves of the programs and services that are in place while providing a healthy environment to assist in their recovery.
In 2012, the first of what we hope will be an annual event involved CF members in the 2012 Big Battlefield Bike Ride through Europe offered by our British colleges. This has been shown to be an excellent chance to reduce stigma regarding mental health and to allow soldiers affected by mental health issues to successfully challenge themselves both physically and emotionally. In addition the publicity garnered through this event assists others as they realize they are not alone.
We envision retreats across the country that will empower veterans and remove the stigma that still lingers around OSI’s while giving them an accurate picture of the suite of services and support available to them, in a relaxed social environment. The first of these was held in May of 2012.
In addition WoundedWarriors.ca will form strategic partnerships with others to deliver effective programs. Just one such example is our partnership outreach funding for homeless veterans in Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto working with Veteran’s Affairs. We are currently awaiting further proposals from Halifax and Calgary.
2. “Hand Up”
With referrals and administrative support from DCSM as the primary agency while seeking the assistance of CF Health Services, OSSIS, Unit Chaplains and other interested care providers, we will combined what was termed “Individual Support” and the “Hand Up” program into one “Hand Up” program.
The goal of this program is to augment the services provided to Wounded CF Members to enhance their quality of Life and to partner with them in their recovery.
Partners such as Renos for Heroes and other service providers may be involved in the delivery of services.
As a guideline this is a onetime only assistance to the member with the maximum allotment under this program being $10,000.
3. Legacy Programing (Padre Fund)
A continuation of funding under the terms of the Current existing Memorandum of Understanding primarily for comfort items in Langstuhl, Germany.
Projected Funding Level for 2013 is $550,000.
