The Vantage Point Foundation (VPF) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to guide and support post 9/11 military veterans and families on a new path towards healing and civilian success. VPF primarily supports veterans throughout the greater South Carolina region who have experienced wartime trauma. While the military effectively transforms civilians into skilled warriors, its training for civilian life is lacking. With the civilian/ military divide more distinct (10% of the US population served in WWII contrasted with 0.8% in the Post 9/11 era) the transition to civilian life can be isolating.
VPF is distinct from other organizations in its systematic approach to training veterans for civilian life. VPF understands that for veterans to fully reintegrate into their communities, three things are necessary; Community, Healing, and Purpose. VPF facilitates these by conducting multi-day courses in which mentors (veterans from previous generations and peers), course facilitators, and medical/mental health professionals enable the participants to identify and work through issues impeding their reintegration into civilian life. Here they learn the tools for Post Traumatic Growth. All participants leave the course with career, educational, and personal goals, along with a support network of mentors, fellow veterans, and professionals.
Course graduates are provided with one year of continued training and holistic support in which the staff and mentors walk with each veteran and their family as they pursue their goals along educational, employment, and volunteer tracks. VPF’s intent is for all veterans in the program to become independent, thriving leaders in their work and communities.