Veterans / Military

Self Help Clearinghouse

Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.

National. 600+ chapters. Founded 1978. Devoted to the needs and concerns of Vietnam era veterans and their families. Provides leadership and advocacy in all areas that have an impact on veterans, with an emphasis on Agent Orange related problems and post traumatic stress disorder. Bimonthly newspaper.
Write:
Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.
8605 Camerson St., Suite 400
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Voice: 1-800-882-1316 or 301-585-4000 (Mon.-Fri., 9am-5:30pm EST)
Fax: 301-585-0519
Website: http://www.vva.org
Verified: 05/04/2010

Society of Military Widows

National. 24 chapters. Founded 1968. Support and assistance for widows of members of all U.S. uniformed services. Help in coping with adjustment to life on their own. Promotes public awareness. Bimonthly magazine/journal. Dues $12/yr. Chapter development guidelines. Online listing on local chapters.
Voice: 1-800-842-3451 ext. 1005 or 253-750-1342
Website: http://www.militarywidows.org
E-mail: patschecter@earthlink.net
Verified: 12/02/2009

National Gulf War Resource Center, Inc.

National. 61 affiliated groups. Founded 1995. Supports the efforts of grassroots organizations that assist veterans affected by the Persian Gulf War illnesses. Also provides advocacy and support for Gulf War veterans, veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq and their families. Conducts research into the causes of Gulf War Syndrome. Self-help guides, media assistance, provides congressional testimony, advocacy, literature, information and referrals.
Write:
National Gulf War Resource Center
3611 SW 17th St.
Topeka, KS 66604
Voice: 1-866-531-7183
Website: http://www.ngwrc.org
E-mail: ngwrc@sbcglobal.net
Verified: 12/04/2009

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

National network. Provides support for persons who have lost a loved one while serving in the armed forces (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, National Guard, Reserves, Service Academies, Coast Guard or contractors serving beside the military). Offers networking, crisis information, problem solving assistance and liaison with military agencies. Also TAPS youth programs. Annual seminar.
Write:
TAPS
910 17th Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20006
Voice: 1-800-959-8277 or 202-588-8277
Fax: 202-457-8278
Website: http://www.taps.org
E-mail: info@taps.org
Verified: 12/02/2009

United Spinal Association

National. Founded 1946. Aim is to provide support and improve the quality of life for all Americans with spinal cord injuries and disorders.
Write:
United Spinal Association
75-20 Astoria Blvd.
Jackson Heights, NY 11370-1177
Voice: 718-803-3782 ext. 1203
Verified: 12/02/2009

Marine Moms Online

Online. Discussion forum offers support, information, questions, answers and chatroom for loved ones of U.S. Marines, recruits, poolies and other military personnel.
Website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mmo1
Verified: 10/13/2010

EX-POSE (Ex-Partners Of Servicemembers for Equality)

National membership. Founded 1980. Primary information resource for spouses facing separation and divorce from a service member, active duty or retired. Lawyer referral service. Quarterly newsletter. Publishes a New Member Information Letter. Membership dues $25.
Write:
EX-POSE
P.O. Box 11191
Alexandria, VA 22312
Voice: 703-941-5844 (Tues.-Thurs., 11am-3pm EST)
Fax: 703-212-6951
Website: http://www.ex-pose.org
E-mail: ex-pose@juno.com
Verified: 12/08/2009

Blinded Veterans Association

National. 53 regional groups. Founded 1945. Support, information and outreach to blinded veterans, including those who were blinded in combat and those suffering from age-related macular degeneration and other eye diseases. Help in obtaining prosthetic devices and accessing the latest technological advances to assist the blind. Information on benefits and rehabilitation programs. Quarterly newsletter. Regional meetings.
Write:
Blinded Veterans Association
477 H St., NW
Washington, DC 20001
Voice: 1-800-669-7079 or 202-371-8880
Fax: 202-371-8258
Website: http://www.bva.org
E-mail: bva@bva.org
Verified: 12/15/2009

Paralyzed Veterans of America

National. 34 chapters and 58 field service offices. Aim is to ensure that spinal cord injured or diseased veterans achieve the highest quality of life possible. Membership is available solely to individuals who are American citizens with spinal cord dysfunction as a result of trauma or disease. Must have served on active duty and had an other than dishonorable discharge. Support groups, publications, VA benefits counseling, magazine, information and referrals.
Write:
Paralyzed Veterans of America
801 18th St. NW
Washington, DC 20006
Voice: 1-800-424-8200 or 202-872-1300 (Mon.-Fri., 9am-5pm EST)
Website: http://www.pva.org
E-mail: info@pva.org
Verified: 12/02/2009

Student Veterans of America (SVA)

National. 80 groups. Founded 2008. A coalition of student groups for military veterans on college campuses. Local groups have informal social meetings that serve as peer support groups. Also connects student groups with resources, helps those wishing to start new groups, advocates at the state and national levels. Regional and national conferences.
Write:
SVA
P.O. Box 77673
Washington, DC 20013
Voice: 202-470-6100
Website: http://www.studentveterans.org
Verified: 05/04/2010

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)

Online. Provides online mutual support networks just for military veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Membership is free. Also links vets with resources and local events, and advocates for needed support of troops, veterans and their families.
Website: http://iava.org
Verified: 09/29/2010

American Widow Project

National network. Mutual support network run by and for widows of military killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. Provides support through private message board and phone contacts.
Voice: 877-297-9436
Website: http://www.americanwidowproject.org
Verified: 10/13/2010

Vets4Vets

National. 25 groups. Founded 2005. Provides peer support and camaraderie for Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans, helping one another to manage any challenges in reintegrating into society. Local confidential groups, regional weekend workshops, and national conference. Offers literature, information and referrals. Provides assistance and how-to materials for those interested in starting a similar local support group. At website, click on 'Vet Resources' to see local group contacts.
Write:
Vets4Vets
4192 E. Boulder Springs Way
Tucson, AZ 85712
Voice: 520-319-5500
Fax: 520-325-0772
Website: jttp://www.vets4vets.us
E-mail: info@vets4vets.us
Verified: 01/12/2010

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