Walmart Teams Up with Red Cross to Offer Reconnection Workshops for Transitioning Veterans
Walmart Foundation has contributed $500,000 to the Red Cross to develop a series of workshops that will help veterans transition back to civilian life.
The joy of homecoming is followed by a transition period as the entire family re-adjusts to being together. Family dynamics often change during the service member’s absence. Both the service member and his/her family may have multiple challenges to manage as they readjust to these changes, re-establish bonds, and confront the many details of managing a household. If the service member experiences long-term health problems that are sometimes prevalent after deployment, such as depression, Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), the entire family has an additional challenge to manage.
The American Red Cross is developing a series of transitional workshops which they believe will address and assist military families with all of these concerns. The classes offer multiple skill-building opportunities for veterans and their families to identify and cope effectively with the unique challenges that arise after a deployment.
The Red Cross has also developed the Coming Home From Deployment: The New “Normal” booklet to assist all military families with what can be a difficult and complicated transition home.
The Reconnection Workshops, Presented by Walmart, will focus on on individual and small group discussions that enhance the likelihood of positive reconnections among family members and the successful re-engagement of the service member in civilian life. Each workshop focuses on a topic area that service members and their families have found relevant to their experience as they transition back home. Current topic areas include: managing anger, supporting children, building communication, reconnecting with others, and recognizing PTS & TBI and other topics critical to reunion adjustment.
To register for one or all of these valuable workshops, please email your name, city/state and which workshop(s) you are interested to reconnection@redcross.org
