Veterans and Civic Leadership Psych 190 Dr Elena

Veterans and Civic Leadership Psych 190 Dr. Elena Klaw

Goals for Today �Community service and you �Vets and community service �The Mission Continues �Satisfaction findings �Effects �What now?

Partner Interview Activity �What role has community service played in your life?

Discussion Questions �What unique strengths do veterans bring to community leadership roles? �How might veterans benefit from community (civic) involvement ?

The Mission Continues is a transition program for post 9/11 vets that aims to leverage military experience, leadership skills, and service orientation. � The Mission Continues Fellowship Program provides veterans stipends to serve as volunteers at nonprofit organizations for a period of six months. It is a nonprofit organization that challenges post-9/11 veterans to continue to serve their country and communities after their military service has ended.

The Mission Continues (See Mathieu et al. , 2013) � Participants serve as a volunteer at a nonprofit organization in their local community for 14 -28 weeks, typically at social service, youth, or veteran’s organizations. � Mission Continues Fellows were all United States military veterans, discharged after September 11, 2001, and reported having a service- connected disability. � Most were mostly younger than 35 (67%), Caucasian (67%), and male (83%).

Satisfaction Findings (N = 27 of cohort of 52 post 9/11 vets) � 95% of fellows reported high levels of satisfaction with providing services to the community and learning about their organization. � Although slightly more than 20% of Fellows reported that participating in the Program was stressful, 100% reported that it was a worthwhile experience. � Fellows reported that the fellowship helped them to improve their chances of finding a job (82%), improve their performance on the job (91%), improve their chances of getting a promotion (82%), and make a career change (77%).

Effects of the Mission Continues Program on Participants Personal growth through civic service 82% of participants reported that the Program exposed them to new ideas and ways of seeing the world. � 64% reexamined their beliefs about the “real” world. � 46% did things they never thought they could do. � 64% changed some of their beliefs and attitudes. � Self-truths: Values and beliefs 81% feel that they have had a good influence on the lives of many people. � Nearly all program participants report that others would say they have made a contribution to society. �

Effects on Future Community Involvement �As a result of completing the Mission Continues Fellowship Program, 100% of Fellows reported that they will probably or definitely stay involved in volunteer activities and public service in the future. �Participants valued networking opportunities and a “sense of purpose. ”

Social Impacts Reported � All participants stated that The Mission Continues Fellowship Program allowed them to make a contribution to their communities. � Over 75% reported that they felt like part of a community, and 100% said they believe they made a difference in the life of at least one person. � 68% stated they are aware of what can be done to meet the important needs in their community, and 76% try to make a positive difference in their communities. � 68% reported a strong attachment to their communities.

What Now? �What about domestic national service as an option for those who want to serve? �Service-learning as mandatory or available to all college students? �Can we provide an an infrastructure and support for national service that is as impressive as the structure of the military ?