After Military Service

CAMP SHIELD IS A DIVISIONAL DBA OF AFTER MILITARY SERVICE (AMS), A 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION THAT WAS FOUNDED IN 2017. AMS STRIVES TO SUPPORT THE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS OF VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES BY INCREASING RESILIENCY, LIFE SATISFACTION AND EMPOWERING OUR NATION'S MILITARY FAMILIES. CAMP SHIELD'S MISSION IS TO EMPOWER WOMEN VETERANS - EMOTIONALLY, SOCIALLY, AND PHYSICALLY, TO ENSURE SHE THRIVES AFTER MILITARY SERVICE. CAMP SHIELD'S VISION IS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF WOMEN VETERAN'S HOMELESSNESS, DEPRESSION, AND SUICIDE BY PROVIDING A SECURE AND COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR VETERANS AND THEIR CHILDREN TO HEAL AND GROW. TO ACHIEVE THIS VISION, CAMP SHIELD PROVIDES A SERIES OF SHE THRIVES WORKSHOPS, MASTERMIND BOOK CLUBS, PEER-TO-PEER SUPPORT GROUPS, RETREATS, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AND RESOURCE REFERRAL SERVICES. WE ALSO COLLABORATE WITH MANY OTHER VETERAN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS TO PARTNER WITH AND REFER OUR VETERANS TO AS NEEDED.

CAMP SHIELD'S VOLUNTEERS: CAMP SHIELD HAD SIX AMERICORPS VISTA (VOLUNTEER IN SERVICE TO AMERICA) POSITIONS FILLED AT DIFFERING TIMES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THIS IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT PAYS THE VISTAS A STIPEND FOR THEM TO PROVIDE CAMP SHIELD WITH 40 HOURS/WEEK OF SERVICE. THE VISTA ROLES BUILD CAPACITY FOR CAMP SHIELD IN POSITIONS THAT INCLUDE: SALESFORCE ADMINISTRATION, OUTREACH, DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, MARKETING & PROMOTIONS, AND SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR. WE ALSO HAVE 8 REGULAR VOLUNTEERS THAT FACILITATE VARIOUS WORKSHOPS AND PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE VALUE OF THESE VOLUNTEERS FOR 2023 IS EQUIVALENT TO $199,800.

CAMP SHIELD'S SHE THRIVES RETREATS, REEL WOMEN WARRIORS FISHING RETREATS, AND FREEDOM REIGNS EQUINE RETREATS PROVIDE WOMEN VETERANS AND THEIR CHILDREN WITH A MULTI-DAY RETREATS, HELD AT OFF-SITE FACILITIES. THE RETREATS FOCUS ON OUR MISSION OF EMPOWERING WOMEN VETERANS THROUGH EMOTIONAL STRENGTH, SOCIAL UNITY, AND PHYSICAL PERSEVERANCE. BY ALLOWING A WOMAN VETERAN'S CHILDREN TO ATTEND THE SHE THRIVES RETREATS, WE CAN PROVIDE PROGRAMMING SPECIFIC TO FAMILY HEALING AND GROWTH. OUR RETREAT MODEL IS EASILY UPDATED AND MODIFIED TO PROVIDE THE LATEST INFORMATION AND HEALING PRACTICES, INCLUDING TRADITIONAL THERAPIES AND HOLISTIC HEALTH APPROACHES. WE HAVE A LICENSED THERAPIST IN ATTENDANCE TO FACILITATE SOME OF THE WORKSHOPS AND TO BE THERE SHOULD ONE OF THE WOMEN OR CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE NEED TO TALK WITH A THERAPIST. EQUINE AND FISHING RETREATS ARE UNIQUE MULTI-DAY RETREATS THAT OFFER EXPERIENCES THAT PROMOTE RELAXATION, CONNECTION WITH NATURE, AND PERSONAL GROWTH THROUGH INTERACTION WITH ANIMALS OR THE OUTDOORS. IN 2023 WE HAD TWO SHE THRIVES RETREATS, 2 EQUINE RETREATS AND 1 FISHING RETREAT. CUMULATIVELY, THOSE RETREATS HAD 94 WOMEN VETERAN'S AND 24 OF THEIR CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE.

CAMP SHIELD'S SHE THRIVES WORKSHOPS AND MASTERMIND BOOK CLUBS: THE SHE THRIVES WORKSHOPS PROVIDE WOMEN VETERANS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE, TOOLS, AND EXPERIENCES TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN EMOTIONAL STRENGTH, SOCIAL UNITY, AND PHYSICAL PERSEVERANCE. THE WORKSHOPS ARE TWO TO SIX-HOUR LONG LEARNING SESSIONS WHICH CAN BE COMPLETED WITHIN A SINGLE DAY OR OVER SEVERAL WEEKS. A FEW EXAMPLES OF THESE WORKSHOPS MAY INCLUDE: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, EMOTION REGULATION, WHO AM I NOW?, YOGA, SOUND AND VIBRATION THERAPY, FINANCIAL FITNESS, AND MIND-BODY WELLNESS, LEADERSHIP TRAINING, AND WOMEN'S SELF-DEFENSE CLASSES. WORKSHOPS ARE CURRENTLY OFFERED AT LEAST MONTHLY WITH A LICENSED THERAPIST IN ATTENDANCE OR ON-CALL. CHILDCARE IS PROVIDED OR REIMBURSED FOR, IF NEEDED. IN 2023 WE HAD 20 WORKSHOPS THAT SERVED 220 WOMEN VETERANS. CAMP SHIELD'S SHE THRIVES MASTERMIND BOOK CLUBS PROVIDE WOMEN VETERANS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE 'PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT/POST TRAUMATIC GROWTH' FOCUSED BOOKS WITH THEIR PEERS. THESE FACILITATED, IN-DEPTH CONVERSATIONS, ARE LED BY QUALIFIED FACILITATORS. PARTICIPANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO GIVE HONEST FEEDBACK, OPINIONS, AND TO CREATE ACTIONABLE ITEMS THAT THEY MAY INCORPORATE INTO THEIR LIVES. IN 2023 WE HAD TWO 12-WEEK LONG BOOK CLUBS THAT SERVED 40 WOMEN VETERANS.