WITN - OPERATION GRATITUDE TO PROVIDE CARE PACKAGES FOR VETS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRST RESPONDERS

Operation Gratitude, Veteran Services of the Carolinas, and Onslow Community Outreach partnered to provide packages to vets in need, local law enforcement, and first responders.

The clinical director for Veteran Services of the Carolinas explained how important these partnerships are in helping veterans who are less fortunate.

“Many of our [Veteran Services of the Carolinas] programs are geared around helping homeless veterans. We have an outreach program and these are the individuals on our staff go into the woods, under the bridges, and things like that to find the most vulnerable homeless people we know, they’re out there. By bringing the community together or being a part with other partners in the community the entire community gets better gets stronger and so we’re working together not against each other,” said Murphy.

Food, scarves, and other basic necessities will be included in these care packages.

WITN News

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ONE-ON-ONE WITH SECRETARY WALSH

Secretary Marty Walsh sits down with U.S. Navy Veteran Jessica Case to discuss the support and services available to military veterans.

THE MOUNTAINEER - HAYWOOD LAUDED AS A MODEL FOR STATE AND NATIONAL VETERANS PROGRAMS

Wilson, the managing director for the Veterans Services of the Carolinas — an arm of Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry — oversees a litany of veterans initiatives across North Carolina. Since Wilson calls Haywood home, he has leveraged Haywood at the front of the line when there’s a new trial program that needs testing.

“We’ve contributed to lessons learned — what works and what doesn’t work,” Wilson said.

In other scenarios, Wilson has collaborated with local partners to launch grassroots initiatives from the ground up, which have then gone on to be adopted as national policy or spun off into new programs.

“Initiatives sown in Haywood County have sparked a new approach,” Wilson said.

In every case, Wilson credits the camaraderie among Haywood’s nonprofits, faith community, social services agencies and law enforcement for proving that nothing’s impossible when a community works together.

Giving veterans HOPE

It’s no secret that veterans are at a higher risk for mental health and substance abuse issues — whether they’re just re-entering society or carrying baggage from combat decades ago. As a veteran himself, Wilson understands what that feeling is like.

“We were part of something bigger than ourselves — having one mission and working together for a greater good,” said Wilson. “When they come home, they experience isolation, they may become depressed, angry or bitter, and may turn to substance abuse.”

So when the state offered seed money of $260,000 to address mental health and substance use among homeless veterans, Wilson jumped at it.

The result was a pilot program called Healing Outreach Partnerships for Empowerment, or HOPE. The premise taps veterans to work peer-to-peer, one-on-one, with fellow veterans while conducting extensive outreach.

THE MOUNTAINEER - ONE OUT OF 900: CANTON VETERAN HONORED AT NEW YORK EVENT

Canton Iraq veteran Brandon Davis was honored this week during the Stand Up for Heroes event held at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City.

“I’m still in shock,” Davis said. “I bought my first non hand-me-down suit. Apparently all expenses are paid, so I’m just going to go and try not to make a fool of myself.”

Davis was chosen for the honor based on nominations solicited through social media channels. He was nominated by his boss, Brandon Wilson, the director of Veterans Services of the Carolinas.Prior to leaving for the event, Davis had no idea why he was selected for the honor or what the award involved except that he would be flying to New York and given the red carpet treatment.

“Brandon did this without telling me,” Davis said.

Davis said he was “more nervous than excited about the event,” and that he was hoping there would be “no speech involved.”

All was well, though, as the only expectation was to shake a few hands and pose for photos with those requesting it.

Davis was among 900 veterans nominated for the spotlight — but only one was chosen to represent the cause of Stand Up for Heroes.

THE LIGHT FM - COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Every community has hurting people - you probably know a few in your area. The only way to see real change though, is for that community to work together little by little. And that is happening now in Haywood County, NC. Two years ago Brandon Wilson saw a need for veterans there, and through the help of his church and the local sheriffs office, lives are being touched! Listen today as Braxton speaks with Brandon about how the relationship between him, pastor Scotty Patrick, and Sheriff Greg Christopher and how they are making a difference right where they are.