Brookfield Institute

HOMEFRONT STRONG IS A COMMUNITY PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM THAT TRAINS MILITARY-CONNECTED VOLUNTEERS TO CONNECT WITH SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE A VARIETY OF SUPPORTS IN THE MILITARY AND VETERAN COMMUNITY THROUGH REGULAR, CONFIDENTIAL CONVERSATIONS. SUPPORT MAY INCLUDE PROVIDING AN EMPATHETIC EAR, GUIDANCE AROUND RESOURCES AND BENEFITS, AND/OR HELP WITH OTHER SPECIFIC GOALS. LIKEWISE, VOLUNTEERS ARE TRAINED TO WORK WITH SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS, AND FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WANT TO DEVELOP, RECORD, AND SHARE THEIR SERVICE-RELATED STORIES, SOME OF WHICH ARE SUBMITTED TO THE VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. ADDITIONALLY, CASE MANAGEMENT IS PROVIDED BY BROOKFIELD INSTITUTE PERSONNEL TO INDIVIDUALS WHO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS, AND SPECIAL PROGRAMMING IS OFFERED TO FACILITATE DEEPER CONNECTIONS WITHIN AND BETWEEN FAMILIES SUCH AS RECREATIONAL EVENTS AND PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS. IN 2021, WE TRAINED 27 VOLUNTEERS AND SERVED 25 SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS, AND FAMILY MEMBERS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM. WE ALSO HOSTED TWO SPECIAL EVENTS WITH COUNTRY BANK AND HOME BASE ALLOWING FAMILIES TO ATTEND WOOSOX AND RED SOX GAMES. FOOD DISTRIBUTION: WE PROVIDE MONTHLY FOOD BOXES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PROJECT NEW HOPE TO LOCAL MILITARY AND VETERAN FAMILIES EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC, INFLATION, AND OTHER PERSONAL CHALLENGES. IN 2021 WE DISTRIBUTED APPROXIMATELY 450 BOXES OF FOOD, SERVING 37 - 50 HOUSEHOLDS, (ABOUT 100 FAMILY MEMBERS), PER MONTH. MILITARY BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP: OUR SUPPORT GROUP FOR FAMILY MEMBERS WHO LOST SERVICE MEMBERS TO SUICIDE MET MONTHLY IN EARLY 2021, WITH 4-5 PARTICIPANTS IN ATTENDANCE. FROM MAY TO OCTOBER, WE HOSTED A SPECIAL SERIES ENTITLED "LABYRINTH OF GRIEF" FOR 3-6 PARTICIPANTS. WORKSHOPS AND SPECIAL EVENTS: THROUGHOUT 2021 WE PROVIDED PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS, AND THEIR FAMILIES, AS WELL AS SERVICE PROVIDERS INCLUDING: "HEALING SOUL WOUNDS: IDENTIFYING AND TREATING MORAL INJURY IN COMBAT VETS" A WORKSHOP CONDUCTED FOR 25 SERVICE PROVIDERS; "QPR SUICIDE PREVENTION" A TRAINING FOR 4 HOMEFRONT STRONG VOLUNTEERS; "FORGING STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS" A WORKSHOP SERIES FOR MILITARY COUPLES PROVIDED FOR 20 ATTENDEES AT A PROJECT NEW HOPE RETREAT; "JOURNEY OF THE MILITARY FAMILY; FINDING A BETTER WAY TO TALK", A WORKSHOP OFFERED TO 8 ATTENDEES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CLEAR PATH NEW ENGLAND'S FAMILY FORCE GROUP; "UNHEARD VOICES" A FORUM FOR 20 BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS TO DISCUSS ISSUES AROUND SERVING DURING A TIME OF SOCIAL UNREST AND THE BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTS, RESULTING IN A PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS TO NATIONAL GUARD COMMAND; "RESILIENCE AND STORYTELLING" AND "BATTLEMIND PLUS", TRAININGS OFFERED TO 3 UMASS MEDICAL STUDENTS; A "MORAL INJURY" AND "BATTLEMIND PLUS" TRAINING FOR 25 BERKSHIRE AHEA ATTENDEES; AND "LEADERSHIP FOR RESILIENT COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS" A WORKSHOP OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STAR, (STRATEGIES FOR TRAUMA AND RESILIENCE), PROGRAM OF EASTERN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY (30 ATTENDEES). SHAPED BY SERVICE: ARTWORK BY SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS, AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS: IN NOVEMBER, WE HOSTED AN ART SHOW IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WORKSHOP 13 IN WARE, MA SHOWCASING THE ARTWORK OF 16 SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS, AND FAMILY MEMBERS. THIS EVENT ALSO INCLUDED AN ARTISTS' RECEPTION THAT WAS WELL ATTENDED BY ARTISTS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.