A Weekend to Remember

September 15, 2014

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Sir Winston Churchill

The Mission Continues welcomed 92 veterans to the fellowship program this weekend at a three-day pre-fellowship orientation in Los Angeles. The weekend included a healthy dose of reflection, service and hard work.

Orientation began on Friday, September 12th, with an introduction to The Mission Continues and their new unit. Dubbed “Charlie Class,” the newest Fellows then deployed into the City of Los Angeles on Saturday for a service project at a shelter for women and families in crisis. Joined by volunteers and supporters, Charlie Class revitalized the grounds by installing a new sandbox and gravel path, trimming hedges, and providing a fresh coat of paint throughout the facility. The afternoon culminated in each veteran taking a new oath of service, to better their communities and continue their here at home.

For the next six months, each Fellow will volunteer 20 hours per week at a nonprofit or civic organization in his or her community. They’ll serve at organizations including Final Salute, The National Park Service, Team Red, White & Blue, Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity, International Center for Journalists, and American Red Cross.

They’ll address needs in the community by providing financial literacy to high school students, serving as a peer support for veterans overcoming physical and mental injuries, advocating on behalf of refugees and immigrants in our communities, and building homes for families in need.

They’ll do so not just as individuals stepping up to make a difference, but as a community of veterans dedicated to writing their own legacy – one of service at war and at home.

A Look Back at the Service Project