DAV donates to recovering veterans
In the Cincinnati neighborhood known as Over-the-Rhine, where DAV was founded over 100 years ago, is Joseph House, a nonprofit that, for nearly 30 years, has been helping veterans who suffer from addiction make positive changes in their lives.
In the last year, Joseph House has begun implementing a new program that focuses on education and support through the Family and Friends Support Program. The program focuses on a collaborative six-week course in which Joseph House equips families and addicts with the tools they need to support healthy and sober lives.
Joseph House recently received a $75,000 grant from the DAV Charitable Service Trust to implement this program.
“We really appreciate the Trust’s support,” said Brian Owens, outreach and outpatient coordinator and licensed professional clinical counselor at Joseph House. “This has been something Joseph House has wanted to do for a long time. Getting family, friends and loved ones involved is really the start of healing for these veterans and their families. Through the addiction process, it gives families a better understanding of what this is all about. This program is meant to promote healing. It’s really all about a fresh start.”
Joseph House leadership believes this family support is so important in the recovery process because it offers a support system that addicts often lose or lack altogether.
“One of the main issues is these veterans do not have any family support,” said Alicia Patterson, Marine Corps veteran and Joseph House executive director. “Often, by the time they’re homeless, they’ve burned too many of those bridges with family and friends.”
The grant will help fund motivational interview training for the Joseph House team—a counseling method designed to strengthen motivation and commitment to a particular goal and inhibit occurrences where family members negatively affect the veterans’ recovery.
“Organizations like Joseph House are crucial for many veterans transitioning home,” said National Adjutant Marc Burgess. “The transition from service to civilian life for these warriors can be difficult and detrimental. Addiction is a reality many veterans face, and Joseph House has a proven method that helps veterans and their families recover and pursue their American dream.”
If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction, visit Joseph House’s “Get Help” page at josephhouse.com/get-help. To learn more about the DAV Charitable Service Trust, visit cst.dav.org.
