1. Adam M. Greenwald, MBA,
Executive Director
December 2015 | National Newsletter
Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Congratulations and thanks to all for a great year!
We are in the homestretch in finishing a productive and
exciting year at The Soldiers Project, with strong support
radiating from our volunteer therapists who have recorded
more than 4,500 hours of free and confidential mental
health services to the men and women of the U.S. armed
forces serving post 9/11.
As always, I am reminded that we couldn't do it without the assistance of our
volunteer therapists, chapter leadership, headquarter staff members, supportive
board of directors, honorary board and generous donors. We thank all of you and
look forward to another fruitful year together.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all who attended Honor and Healing: 10
Years of The Soldiers Project last November at UCLA. Our signature event attracted
more than 80 attendees and provided invaluable education and training for our
volunteer therapists.
It was also great to get reacquainted with our chapter leadership in November as
we took the opportunity to meet, share organization success and set goals for the
coming year. In looking to 2016, we will continue to work strategically with our
volunteer therapists and board of directors to increase client capacity and better
serve the urgent needs of our growing veteran population.
Finally, we lost a good friend here in Southern California with Jack Share, a
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2. dedicated and wonderfully supportive volunteer therapist who started shortly after
the founding of The Soldiers Project. All will certainly miss Jack who passed away on
Nov. 4 but his gentle and enthusiastic spirit in helping service members will live on in
each of us.
Thank you for selecting The Soldiers Project as your charitable organization of
choice in meeting the psychological needs of service members who serve with
honor and distinction. Your volunteer hours and financial donations make our
mission whole.
Sincerely,
Adam M. Greenwald, MBA
Executive Director
The Soldiers Project at a Glance
In November, The Soldiers Project had 426 therapists providing 397 hours of
free and confidential psychological services nationwide.
To date, in 2015 The Soldiers Project has recorded 4,872 hours of psychological
services to veterans and their loved ones.
National Conference Thank You
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3.
Many Thanks to Our Event Sponsors and Supporters for Making
Our National Conference a Memorable Occasion
Honor And Healing: 10 Years of The Soldiers Project, held Saturday, Nov. 7, at UCLA
was a huge success with conference attendees gaining a greater understanding
of the many issues and concerns service members face in reintegrating into
society, reflecting 70 CEs provided to therapists. A gracious thank you to all of our
speakers, sponsors, volunteer therapists, donors and attendees for your support!
New York State Senator and Best-Selling Author Join Honorary Board
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4. New York State Senator
Thomas D. Croci
Senator Croci is Chairman of New
York State Homeland Security,
Veterans and Military Affairs
Committee, representing District 3
encompassing Long Island. Senator
Croci also served as Senior Duty
Officer in the White House Situation
Room, National Security Council
(2005-2007), and was appointed to
the Homeland Security Council Staff
by President Bush where he served
until the end of his administration.
Senator Croci spent more than 8
years on duty in the U.S. Navy,
earning the rank of Lieutenant
Commander, and later rank of
Commander in 2013.
David J. Morris,
Author of The Evil Hours
David Morris is a former Marine
infantry officer who worked in Iraq
from 2004 to 2007 as a reporter for
Salon and the Virginia Quarterly
Review. His story "The Big Suck: Notes
from the Jarhead Underground" was
originally published in Virginia
Quarterly Review and was included
in The Best American Nonrequired
Reading 2007. His writings have
appeared in The New Yorker, Slate,
The Daily Beast, The Los Angeles
Times and elsewhere. His most recent
book The Evil Hours is a nonfiction
tour de force examining PTSD.
The Soldiers Project is excited to welcome best-selling author and former infantry
officer David J. Morris,and New York Senator Thomas D. Croci to our Honorary
Board. "We are delighted to have Senator Croci and critically acclaimed writer
David Morris as members of our honorary board," said Adam M. Greenwald, MBA,
executive director of he Soldiers Project. "As veterans serving in Iraq and
Afghanistan, they understand the importance of helping fellow service members."
Senator Croci and Morris join Honorary Board members Ted Lieu, Congressman,
District 33; Sean Huze, actor, director and screenwriter; Ellen Goosenberg Kent,
director and producer; Roy Jasso, Vice President, Community Development, Wells
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5. Fargo; Theresa Martinez, CEO, Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce; Debbie
Gregory, CEO, MilitaryConnection.com; Michelle Siqueiros, CEO, The Campaign
for College Opportunity; Betsy Butler, Interim Executive Director, California Women's
Law Center; Toni Reinis, Founder, New Directions for Veterans; and former First Lady
of California Sharon Davis.
The Soldiers Project is a Great Nonprofit!
An independent advocacy group that recognizes
excellence in the nonprofit industry recently named
The Soldiers Project as an official "Great Nonprofit."
The organization of the same name recognized The
Soldiers Project online with ten outstanding reviews
by clients, volunteers and donors.
Across the Nation
New York City - Community Outreach and Education Efforts Abundant
New York City Chapter Director Fay Radding-Mascioli, MA, RN, was honored as a
guest speaker at the Queens Vet Center on Friday, Sept. 25, as part of an open
house and reception. As part of the festivities, Fay shared the mission of The Soldiers
Project with Vet Center staff and guests. Other community events included
speaking at the Queens Veterans Court on Sept. 28 and to the Community Training
and Employment Resources program on Oct. 2. Finally, Professor Joan Beder, DSW,
from Yeshiva University facilitated a workshop for volunteers of The Soldiers Project
and spoke about military culture.
Washington State - Local Company Gives $1,700
A huge thank you to Dockside Cannabis in Washington for their fundraiser
supporting The Soldiers Project. They raised $1,707.64 this month! With their
contribution, Chapter Director Brenda Walls, MNM, can expand services to more
veterans and their loved ones.
Chicago/Illinois - Marketing Services to Illinois, Raises $10K for Chapter
On Nov. 7, Chapter Director Kimberly Backman provided community outreach
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6. services and marketed The Soldiers Project to hundreds of
DuPage County Veterans at the 2015 Veterans Expo. Less
than a week later she attended William Fremd High School
in Palatine, Illinois, where a school-wide fundraiser
collected more than $10,000 for the Illinois Chapter.
Kimberly is working to expand her market to all of Illinois
and not just Chicago! Great job, Kimberly!
Long Island - $20,000 Grant Awarded
The Long Island Community Foundation has awarded a one-year grant of $20,000
to The Soldiers Project, Long Island Chapter. This is the first grant award received by
The Soldiers Project from LICF, and we are both excited and grateful to have been
chosen as a recipient of such a generous award, said Long Island Co-Directors
Alicia Brackman, LCSW, and Linda Caginalp. LICF has three grant cycles per year,
and the August one was extremely competitive.
Wyoming - Building a Plan for Expansion
The Wyoming Chapter is currently working with headquarters to expand offerings
through a concentrated effort to recruit therapists and expand clientele in what's
known as The Equality State. Specifically, Wyoming will be targeting the cities of
Sheridan, Casper and Cheyenne. Sheridan, the location of a VA Medical Center,
will be of strategic importance in growing services. A volunteer outreach
coordinator will also be retained to work side-by-side with Chapter Directors
Jennifer and Charlie Wilson, MFT.
Sacramento - Serving Vets, Growing and Educating Volunteers
Sacramento Chapter Director Shing Long, MS, reported that 14 new clients have
been acquired since October's beginning, and that attending events like the LGBT
Veterans Resource Fair, the Veteran's Day Celebration held at the state capitol
and the Sacramento Valley Collaborative sponsored by the Roseville Chamber of
Commerce all help spread awareness and increase clients to support her
Chapter's volunteers.
A Biannual Training and Appreciation Brunch for volunteer therapists and
community members was conducted in November with Margaux Helm, LMFT,
WEAVE director of programs and services, hosting the training which provided CEs
for attendees. November was also highlighted with the Steinberg Institute, a
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7. behavioral health policy and leadership advocacy group recognizing The Soldiers
Project with a website posting communicating how area residents can access
services in Sacramento. Finally, volunteer therapist Merrill Powers, LCSW, was
featured in the Auburn Journal for her work with PTSD and participation with The
Soldiers Project.
A special thanks to area supporters Douglas Ryder, Lani Stoner, and John and
Jacklyn Moran, all of whom stepped up, once again, in support of the Sacramento
Chapter by donating funds to provide additional training (EMDR and traumatic
brain injury) to volunteers.
Southern California - Simi Valley Rotary Honors
The Soldiers Project with $2,500 Donation,
Markets Services in Orange County, Volunteer
Speaks About PTSD
Throughout the months of October, November
and December it was all about sharing the
mission of The Soldiers Project with veterans
and community members in the general
Southern California area.
In Ventura County on Oct. 29, The Soldiers Project was recognized with a $2,500
donation from the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise as part of their year end efforts to
recognize notable charities that go above and beyond in serving the community.
Beth Siegel, LCSW, PsyD, Carole Gelker, PhD, and Jeremy Brewer, Volunteer &
Community Engagement Coordinator, marketed services at Vets Partners in Service
on Nov. 11. At Pasadena's Sons of American Legion on Dec. 1, Lynne Hostein, MA,
LMFT, presented on the history of PTSD and its effects on veterans and families as
part of a Frontline for Veterans educational series sponsored by the local NAMI
chapter. Chapter Leadership in Los Angeles extends a very special thanks to
volunteers Beth, Carole and Lynne for taking an active participation with The
Soldiers Project -- we can't do it without you!l Link
Southern California - Volunteer of the Quarter
A huge thank you to David Contreras who went above and
beyond in donating his services pro bono to assist with the
image and promotion of Honor and Healing: Ten Years of The
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8. Soldiers Project. His graphic design work in creating the
conference's logo and corresponding event program solidified
our efforts in creating a memorable day for our participants and attendees.
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Thank you to our donors!
(September 15 - December 15)
Agua Fund of the Community Foundation of Collier County - Alexsandra Martin - Alima Sherman
- Amanda Czik - Arlene & Richard Dunaetz - Atol Charitable Trust - Barry Ringelheim - Bill & Sue
Roen - Bill and Lynn Lustig - Brenda Oliver - Burt Goldstein - Caroline Rose Eschbach - Carolyn
Rasch - Charlene V. Reid - Cheryl Benun - Claire Green - Cole Wilson - Curt Pehrson - Danielle
Peckham - Danny & Jennifer Lerner - Dawn Stremel - Deborah House - Delia Ramsey - Diane L.
Mclusky - Don and Peggy Gustavson - Donald S Eisenberg - Donna Benjamin - Donna L. Burrows
- Doris A. Hurt - Dorothy Wolpert - Doug McLemore - Douglas Almon Ryder - Elaine Leader - Emily
Gold - Florence Lipsman - Fred, Kate and Megan Doucette - Fremd High School - Gerardo
Gomez - Heather B. Cheshire - John and Jaklyn Moran - Janet Hesson - Janet Oberman -
Jennifer Clark - Jeremy Lawson Brewer - Jimmy Hara - JoAnn Devlin - Jordan Weiss - Jose
Camargo - Joseph and Sheri Share - Judith Hyman - Judith R. Boyd - Justin Romandy - Karen
Beard - Karen Kohl - Karen Norton - Kathryn J. Koch - Kathy Buck - Kazuko Huey - Keith
Wojciechowski - Kenneth Paul Watson - Kennon M. Holton - Lani Stoner - Larry & Debbie Greene -
Larry Kraemer - Larry Schechtman - Laura M.L. Rinset - Laura Thomas - Laurie Jacobs - Lavanna
Zaman - Lawrence Golf Club - Lawrence M. Dinovitz - Lee Lainer - Leroy Egenberger - Leslie
Granowitz - Lisa Moss - Long Island Community Foundation - Lore Unt - Lori Holm - Louise
Steinman - Luis Flores - Lynne Jacobs - Marie Rudden - Mark and - Shirley Bilfield - Marleen
Urbaitis - Mary L. Espinoza - Matthew ONeal - Maureen Wattelet - Megan Davis - Melanie Kay -
Michael Baus - Michael Lee Ebel - Michelle Dong - Michelle Goddess - Nancy Gunzberg - Nancy
J Auger - Nancy R Forbes - Nicole McConlogue - Novo Nordisk International - Patsy King - Paul
Kouri - Paul Lewis - Paul M. Hittelman - Paul Schmitt - Penny Toomim - Richard and Sharon
Granowitz - Richard Dettorre - Richard Lindner - Richard Orkand - Robbie Heacock - Robert
Green - Roberta Howard - Robin Stoll - Ronald M Cross - Ronald S Beard - Rose Kattlove - Rotary
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9.
Club of Simi Sunrise - Rudy and Stephanie Hoffman - Sharon Crane - Sharona Katan - Stacy
Wasserman - Susan A. Zarakov - Susan Elmore - Susan Willett - Susanne and Fred Hersh - Ted
Tenorio - Temple S. Richardson - The Ahmanson Foundation - The Albert Parvin Foundation - The
Genentech Foundation - The Herb Alpert Foundation - The Howard and Nikki Applebaum
Foundation - The James Irvine Foundation - The McKently Family Trust - The Mental Insight
Foundation - The Pyramid Foundation - The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust - The Strauss Foundation
Ltd - The STS Foundation - The Yen Family Charitable Foundation - Theodore C. Snyder - Theresa
Geary - Theresa Tisdale - Thomas R. Von Der Ahe - Timothy Francis Stefanoski - Tracy A. Off - Tyler
Gillum - Tyler Thomas - Verbena Family Fund - Virginia Alexander - Wendy Rosenstein - William
Treadway
For more information on how to make a donation to The Soldiers Project, or with any gift-related
questions, please contact Andrea Schmitt at ASchmitt@TheSoldiersProject.org or call (818)
761-7438 x 209.
Articles of Interest
Dealing with PTSD has made me even stronger
Senate Approves Research Into Combat Effects on Mental Health
Giving makes a difference in the lives of the men &
women that we serve. Every day, The Soldiers Project
receives calls from Post 9/11 Veterans who are
seeking mental health support. We are always here
to take those calls. Please join us and make a giF
today.
The Soldiers Project
818-761-7438
info@thesoldiersproject.org
hNp://www.thesoldiersproject.org
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