November 29, 2016
The Mission Continues family extends all across the country. And while we spent the Thanksgiving holiday apart, we were together in spirit. Through the power of pictures, we invite you into our homes to share the essence of family, friends and togetherness. From big feasts, to small gatherings with friends, to Turkey Trots and snuggling with pets, we had just about every kind of thanksgiving out there. Continue reading “Thanksgiving with The Mission Continues Family”
November 29, 2016
#GivingTuesday is upon us and we’re offering three ways to empower veterans to find new missions here at home with a gift to The Mission Continues:
Make a financial gift: Donate to The Mission Continues and create more opportunities for veterans to serve again. Our programs have a well documented track record for strengthening veterans’ reintegrations to life after the military. And you can trust that your donation will be handled in accordance with industry standards and put to good use. Charity Navigator, one of the leading charity watchdogs, rated The Mission Continues a 4-star organization, it’s highest rating, including a perfect score in financial transparency.
December 9, 2016
The Seattle 2nd Platoon is one of The Mission Continues’ newest platoons. The Platoon and its Platoon Leader Matt Moroge, reported for its first service project in Marysville, WA at the Quil Ceda Tulalip Elementary School recently during our Veterans Day service campaign. The school’s student body is 95% Native American, so it was only fitting that this project tipped its hat towards the strong Native American culture that makes up the Pacific Northwest. Continue reading “In Seattle, A New Platoon with a Mission”
November 16, 2016
Veterans Day weekend was a welcomed long weekend for many, but for veterans at The Mission Continues, it was an opportunity to serve with greater impact. Veterans Day is typically a holiday to reflect and honor those who have selflessly given their service. As we look forward, we recognize it’s also an opportunity to engage with our youth and this nation’s future generations in their potential for service.
In cities across the country, we gathered together to do service projects large and small, with other veterans, partner organizations, and civilians. Many of our projects were designed to help youth and create lasting change, as we never lose sight of our vision to inspire future generations to serve.
With over 40 cities reporting for duty, we can’t share every bit of awesomeness with you, but here’s a sampling of the kick ass projects our platoons accomplished to help today’s youth. Continue reading “A New Take on Veterans Day”
November 10, 2016
This past week Platoon Leaders and Team Leaders gathered in Philadelphia for our annual Platoon Leader Summit. Over the weekend they learned skills from experts and each other that will help them create kickass service events, build relationships in their communities, and cultivate a thriving platoon.
Our Platoon Leaders are dedicated to making meaningful and sustainable impact in the communities they serve. They all have different leadership styles and different perspectives they bring to the table, and each person has something to help their peers learn and grow. Continue reading “Learning and Growing at the Platoon Leader Summit”
November 7, 2016
Here at The Mission Continues, we have our own way of honoring Veterans Day. As a veteran service organization whose mission is to empower veterans to serve again in their communities, Veterans Day is one of our biggest opportunities to show the country that veterans can make a positive impact in cities for youth, for the environment, for other veterans, and everyone in between. To this end, we are mustering hundreds of veterans nationwide to serve in all kinds of service projects this Veterans Day weekend, and we invite civilians to come serve alongside us too. Continue reading “What It Means to Be Today’s Veteran”
November 4, 2016
We are happy to welcome Renee Foster, our new City Impact Manager for Hampton Roads in Virginia. As a Navy veteran and former Platoon Leader, Renee is already familiar with The Mission Continues family. But we want to introduce her to you too. After interviewing her, we’ve put together a little Q&A about Renee.
Hampton Roads is the name of the geographical area encompassing seven cities. We have a large population of at-risk youth, and gang violence is the biggest issue here. I live in the area myself, and I think some of this is happening because there are not enough jobs for youth. Most of the jobs available to them are low paying jobs, so young people resort to selling drugs as the money-making option.
I also see a lack of father or mother figures in the lives of these youth, because some of them are living in a single parent households. A solution to that could be a strong mentorship program for teens and young adults to help them build job-related skills and get them to see beyond where they are now.
For me, being a veteran is a strong part of my identity. The thing I miss most about the military is the camaraderie and the structure. I was drawn to The Mission Continues because even though I didn’t serve in the post-9/11 era, (because I got out in ‘97), I still wanted to help the people who did serve post-9/11. I want to help my military brothers and sisters.
I don’t like it when I hear people say that veterans are “brainwashed” or “reprogrammed.” I say veterans are humans too. We make mistakes and have our moments just like everybody else. We’re human. Even while we’re in the military and even when we get out, we’re human first.
I am prone to trip when there’s nothing there!
I love camping, fishing, biking, shooting and archery ranges — pretty much anything outdoors.
I would be wonder woman. I would be able to handle all things, be in different places in the blink of an eye, and be that invisible fly on the wall. I think the part I would love the most is being able to help people and do good.
Want to join the team? Check out our careers page for available opportunities.
Report for duty in your community with The Mission Continues. Serve with a Service Platoon at an upcoming service event near you or apply for a fellowship. You can learn more about our programs on our website and stay updated on the latest news and announcements on Facebook and twitter.
