Give an Hour and Old Dominion University Hosts Strategic Meeting to Address Needs of Military Members, Veterans, and Their Families

October 16, 2014

Give an Hour™ (www.giveanhour.org), a national nonprofit organization providing free mental health services to members of the military, veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, their loved ones, and their communities, is hosting a strategic meeting and working lunch on Friday, Oct. 17, 2014 at 4211 Monarch Way, Suite 110 in the Old Dominion University Business Gateway from 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. Mental health providers and other stakeholders in the mental health field who serve veterans directly or indirectly are invited to attend.

Through a grant from the Detroit All-Star pitcher Justin Verlander's Wins for Warriors foundation, Give an Hour is leading an effort in Detroit, Mich., Norfolk, Va., and Richmond, Va. to develop a plan for improving the coordination and collaboration of community-based efforts to create a comprehensive and integrated system of care for service members, veterans, and their loved ones

Give an Hour's strategic meeting and working lunch will identify and showcase organizations, agencies and initiatives that are providing critical mental health care and support to our military and veteran community; identify gaps in services; and explore solutions to the challenges that our returning service members and their families face.

"Give an Hour appreciates the support provided by Wins for Warriors. This funding is allowing us to partner with many great individuals and organizations to improve community-based efforts to assist our men and women in uniform," says Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, founder and president of Give an Hour. "We are proud to be continuing our work in Norfolk to ensure that those who are serving or who have served our country have the care they deserve."

If you are interested in attending the meeting or learning more about Give an Hour's efforts with Wins for Warriors, please contact Jenny Hartsock, Project Coordinator for Richmond & Norfolk, Va. at jhartsock@giveanhour.org.

Give an Hour is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), founded in September 2005 by Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, a psychologist in the Washington, D.C., area. The organization is dedicated to meeting the mental health needs of military personnel, their families, and the communities affected by the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Give an Hour has nearly 7,000 providers across the nation-in all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam-with more volunteer mental health professionals joining its network every day. In addition to counseling, providers also consult to schools, first responders, employers, and community organizations. Give an Hour has already provided approximately 140,000 hours of free service, valued at more than $14 million. To learn more, visit www.giveanhour.org or connected.giveanhour.org.