What are some suggestions on getting more veterans and active duty into Sponsor a Vet Life?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 10:59:29 -0500

What are some suggestions on getting more veterans and active duty members into Sponsor a Vet Life Program that have PTSD, TBI, MST, or that are severely disabled?

I'm looking for solutions!

The goal is to reduce Suicides!

Here is a link on RP to our Group Page for more information:

https://www.rallypoint.com/organizations/sponsor-a-vet-life-virtual-world-solutions-d-b-a-sponsor-a-vet-life

Virtual World Solutions d/b/a Sponsor A Vet Life | RallyPoint

Discover veteran friendly jobs at Virtual World Solutions d/b/a Sponsor A Vet Life and connect with military members and veterans working there now.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 30 at 2016 11:17 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 11:17:54 -0500

On- on-one interaction with friends is one of the best ways to spread the word and help veterans and others from committing suicide COL Mikel J. Burroughs.
I don't know if it would make sense to add a group for the depressed to join in on rallyPoint. If there was such a group that would be a great way to let them know about potential help from sites such as Sponsor a Vet Life

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2016 11:31 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 11:31:20 -0500

1. Awareness
2. Testimonials
3. Telehealth Therapists - Virtual assistants -elearning trainers - webcam virtual life coach- Acceptance of using new technology - show that it is being effectively used in other types of medical settings. Show examples of it's use such as is being done in Teleradiology or Teleneurology, where doctors themselves are relying on this technology for patient care. Attaching a humorous clip here of what that looks like.
4. Holistic treatments - show how it works why it is effective - yoga is a great example of this but many men will avoid it because they don't view it as being manly.
5. Highlight the internal scars that dogs and horses being used in the treatment program have suffered and how they are in recovery too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bIoeBpSeU4

The Big Bang Theory - Sheldon as a Robot

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jan 30 at 2016 12:02 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 12:02:56 -0500

http://www.facebook.com/groupforsuicidalactivedutyandforsuicidalveterans
Just a thought, Mikel.

Also, Mikel, if you could get more of us to help out, I think that that would be a great incentive.

Facebook

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2016 12:16 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 12:16:41 -0500

Just a suggestion, I would change the picture.... at first glance it looks like an advertisement for a luxury resort vacation that costs A LOT of money... and, nothing that makes me think jobs, veterans, sponsoring.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2016 12:50 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 12:50:12 -0500

Does it have to be just one banner picture or could you do a couple pictures? Maybe one picture has a link for Sponsors, one for Veterans, etc...

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jan 30 at 2016 4:07 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 16:07:44 -0500

Like always you can count on me to spread the word. I have 8 Pages and I love to Share.

Response by Doug Macdonald made Jan 30 at 2016 8:29 PM

Doug Macdonald — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 20:29:47 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, You know I'm seeking the same understanding. Let me share what a civilian view looks like from the outside looking in. Ten years ago there were just over 500 VSO's registered in the U.S.

Today, there are over 45,000. In the last 12 months, several of the most TRUSTED VSO's have come under investigation for their fiscal policies. Plain English, they were not doing what they claimed. 40% of a budget being spent on executive entertainment, not on Veterans!

On a daily basis, veterans are being hit with entitlements offered by VSO's that are under-funded or just pain ripping off our veterans. Who would you TRUST? Unfortunately, that hurts people and companies like yours and mine who are actually offering a value to veterans. We just get lumped in without a look.

What you and Ilene are doing with Sponsor A Vet Life, for people suffering, is a true value. So my long winded answer is persistence. Eventually, the veteran community will learn they can TRUST private industry to provide value because we will still be here when the VSO's self-cannibalize.

Keep up the great work you are doing.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jan 31 at 2016 10:45 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 10:45:16 -0500

Advertise at every Family Service Center and Chapel on every base?

Response by SPC Joel Willman made Feb 1 at 2016 9:30 AM

SPC Joel Willman — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 09:30:12 -0500

Fantastic opportunities to go far with this on many levels. It truly will need help of us as Veterans & our supporters to spread the word. I'm on board 210%

Response by SGT Christopher Premore made Feb 1 at 2016 4:16 PM

SGT Christopher Premore — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 16:16:24 -0500

Maybe get some VSO's to put the word out and all of the big veteran organizations wouldn't hurt either.

Response by PFC Michael Robert Lawrence made Feb 2 at 2016 8:51 PM

PFC Michael Robert Lawrence — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 20:51:15 -0500

Well thier is Facebook
Etc. As well as kickstarter. Twitter, LinkedIn. Wespr? Website used to be good for publication ie social media marketing.
Might have to look into tools. With CISSP certification etc relocation, haven't heard if Wespr is still hear.

Response by LCpl Steve Smith made Jun 23 at 2016 7:48 PM

LCpl Steve Smith — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 19:48:35 -0400

Make a commercial. With a Soldier using the site to talk with his Family/ Loved ones, and have a tour of the site with some of the things services it provides, Also you can try a Radio Advert. See if the V.A and bases will allow you to post flyers. Put adverts on all the social media sites.