Veterans Find Renewed Purpose through Bastion Community and Work Readiness Programs

The transition from military to civilian society is challenging for anyone, but it is especially difficult for veterans who require special assistance. Combat veterans are surviving life-threatening injuries at higher rates than in the past and need a community that bridges the gaps of knowledge, skills and systems in place for wounded warriors and their caregivers. The Bastion Community of Resilience, located in New Orleans, provides a supportive living environment for injured veterans and families that offers a holistic approach to healing driven by neighbors, volunteers and specialists.

Supporting Returning Warriors and their Families

Bastion Community of Resilience was founded in 2013 as America’s first intentional living community for disabled veterans and their families. Ten years later, the organization has seen its community-based approach come to life and continues to deliver lifesaving and life-changing care to its residents. Home to 131 residents, including 40 children, the organization has invested over $14 million in its first community and has allotted 1.28 acres for future commercial development. Bastion prioritizes wellness for all its residents and boasts a 1,700 square foot wellness center that routinely hosts socials, yoga and mind-body activities. Measured through assessments valuing belonging, hope, mental and physical health, and post-traumatic growth, 99% of residents have reported experiencing positive growth during their post-military transition.

Helping Veterans Prepare for Work After Service

Bastion promotes resilience through work readiness programs that help residents prosper in jobs beyond the military. The center employs 12 residents on-site through its Bastion Ambassadors Program, that works to connect residents with learning opportunities that best fit their interests and skill sets. Program participants have become leaders in their community by:

• • Assisting social workers in residential and wellness initiatives to address mental health and isolation issues facing veterans
  • Maintaining Bastion’s onsite chicken coup, gardens and agricultural program
  • Distributing 26,000 pounds of food to residents per year consisting of high quality, locally ingredients sourced through Top Box
  • Cooking and providing meals to immobile residents and single parents
  • Transporting fellow veterans to medical appointments and community outings

Ways to Get Involved and Support

Phelps is proud to work with Bastion Community of Resilience to help them grow their mission of healing veterans. As a nonprofit organization, Bastion heavily relies on outside support to help veterans navigate a successful return to civilian life. Bastion hopes to implement additional pipeline programs to prepare veterans to thrive in careers beyond the military. Through social work and occupational therapy, Bastion partners with organizations including Combined Arms and NextOp. In addition to participating in work readiness programs, your business can help support Bastion’s programming by:

• • Volunteering through Bastion’s various agricultural projects.
  • Visiting Bastion during the center’s bi-weekly coffee or lunch hours, and getting to know the residents through their stories and shared experiences. Social interactions are one of the most vital healing elements for veterans after traumatic injury.
  • Purchasing tickets for Bastion’s Gala of Resilience at the National World War II Museum on Nov. 17. The inaugural event will honor veterans through an incredible night of food, performances and opportunities to learn more about Bastion.

Fostering Leadership Through Healing

Veterans bring a vast array of skills to the civilian workforce including leadership, teamwork and adaptability. The healing therapy Bastion offers, such as goal setting and vocational training, helps residents strengthen these skills after injury and connect with the community.

“When I hear a Bastion veteran share their story of how the Bastion community changed their life and, in some cases, saved their life, I become even more committed to help raise funds so Bastion can continue with the vital work of assisting our military veterans who sacrificed themselves for our freedom,” said Kimberly Grady, Development Director at Bastion.