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Washington D.C.’s “Fighting Fifth” Welcomes New Leader

October 27, 2017
By Justin Goldman, Platoon Member

October is an exciting time for the Washington D.C. 5th Service Platoon, whose spirited volunteers have dubbed themselves the “Fighting Fifth.” The tireless efforts of outgoing Platoon Leader EJ Delpero has been a key part of such an impactful year of service.

EJ seamlessly rolled from his Mission Continues fellowship in 2015 at the National Air and Space Museum into taking the lead within the D.C. 4th Platoon in October of that year. In 2016, EJ again stepped up to lead the D.C. 5th Platoon. Continue reading “Washington D.C.’s “Fighting Fifth” Welcomes New Leader”

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Veterans and Refugees Build Together in Pittsburgh

October 25, 2017
By Stephanie Grimes, City Impact Manager

The Pittsburgh 3rd Service Platoon is a new group of volunteers that are ready to mobilize Pittsburgh’s veteran population–asking them to help refugees living in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. After months of recruiting, planning and collaboration, the newly-born platoon kicked off with their first service project last Saturday.

I launched the platoon this summer for a more specific reason than that: While Pittsburgh has two service platoons dedicated to the underserved neighborhoods of Hazelwood and Homewood, Pittsburgh has seen an increase in their foreign-born population, many of them refugees. Continue reading “Veterans and Refugees Build Together in Pittsburgh”

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The Start of Long Term Recovery in Houston

October 20, 2017

The Mission Continues service project with veterans

While shoppers all over the country rushed to grab Friday the 13th sales, 90 veterans from all over the country rushed to grab rakes, power tools, and paint brushes to help restore Houston neighborhoods after the damage Hurricane Harvey dealt.

Immediately following the devastation brought by Hurricane Harvey, volunteers with The Mission Continues responded with neighbor-helping-neighbor efforts and rallied together to execute an inspiring 9/11 Day of Service project shortly thereafter.

In the time since then, we have committed to help Houston communities with long-term recovery efforts. Rebuilding in Houston is a mission that will take years to accomplish, but with a little help from Delta Class of 2017, it was off to a great start. Continue reading “The Start of Long Term Recovery in Houston”

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How Disabled Veterans Proved Them All Wrong

October 17, 2017

Today we bring you three stories directly from veterans who have overcome incredible challenges post-military, and are now changing their lives and others’ through their Mission Continues Fellowships.

From their stories you will get a glimpse into what happens when veterans are told, “we still need you,” and are given the opportunity to serve again.

Continue reading “How Disabled Veterans Proved Them All Wrong”

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We Made an Impact in Houston, and You Can Too

October 12, 2017
By Alex and Celene, Mission Continues Supporters

Following the devastation Houston experienced by Hurricane Harvey, we asked ourselves the question: If we went, would our help make an impact? The answer was yes.

Even though there was only so much the two of us could do, we thought, if the effort was multiplied by many volunteers, the results would be greater. So we traveled to Houston from New York and with the guidance of The Mission Continues, participated in service projects where many people had gathered to volunteer.

We know that it takes all different kinds of support to have a community like this thrive. While we are not fellows, platoon leaders or even military veterans, we still feel the call to serve by contributing what we can. We felt the call to serve in Houston, and for us, the best way to do that was with veterans at the helm. Continue reading “We Made an Impact in Houston, and You Can Too”

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Miami 1st Platoon: Hurricane Irma Meets its Match

October 5, 2017
By David Riera, Platoon Member & 2016 Fellow

Volunteers from The Mission Continues in Florida after Hurricane IrmaVolunteers from The Mission Continues in Florida after Hurricane Irma

Irma took three days to show up at my door in Miami. As a member of the Miami 1st Platoon, we responded in the same way the team in Houston did to Hurricane Harvey. The feeling was intense to say the least, but very focused and organized. I felt a surging calmness as I prepared for the worst.

Over three days our team purchased supplies using our own resources, and executed the lockdown of nearly 25 homes (not counting our own). This included everything from hanging steel window shutters, bolting down plywood sheets, and slamming down sandbags.

“While there is no way to measure the number of lives saved by these actions, it is safe to say lives have been saved” said the Miami 1st Platoon Leader, Derek Auguste.   Continue reading “Miami 1st Platoon: Hurricane Irma Meets its Match”