WHY WE CONTINUE THE MISSION

For more than 15 years, The Mission Continues has empowered veterans to rediscover their sense of purpose and leadership by offering opportunities to serve in their communities. Through these experiences, veterans build lasting relationships, gain valuable skills, and strengthen their confidence, all while driving meaningful change. This renewed sense of mission enables them to lead with a deepened sense of belonging and empowerment. 

The impact is clear: veterans consistently tell us how our work transforms their lives, helping them regain purpose and connection. By stepping into leadership roles and giving back, they create lasting change, both in their own lives and in the communities they serve. To date, they’ve led over 120,000 volunteers in purposeful community service. 

Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected future for veterans and the communities they touch. Join us and become part of this movement to empower veterans and strengthen communities. 
Volunteers Activated
120,000+
Hours Served
600,000
Service Projects
10,000

Our Impact in the Field

CDC Foundation: Building Capacity to Prevent Veteran Suicide
Making Impact with the Bob Woodruff Foundation
Veterans Affairs: 2024 Social Connection Workshop Series

American Evaluation Association Conference

In October 2024, The Mission Continues’ Impact Team shared their efforts to enhance evaluation methods at the American Evaluation Association Annual Conference, an event that brings together thousands of evaluators each year to share new trends and improvements in the evaluation field. They conducted a thorough audit of their surveys to identify areas for improvement and reduction. Collaborating with an external academic, they analyzed the survey results and created a new tool: the Empowered Veteran Index-Short Form. This project underscores The Mission Continues’ commitment to ongoing evolution and growth as they support veterans and their communities across the nation.  

RAND Report – TMC Featured as a Focus Group Contributor

TMC staff participated in a focus group for the 2025 RAND Corporation report, which helped inform recommendations on access to data about U.S. veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. The report examines key issues related to veteran community engagement and highlights gaps in data accessibility that impact policy decisions and program development. By contributing insights from our work, TMC helped shape inform content that can help advocate for better data-sharing practices, which can support more informed policy and funding decisions that affect veteran services nationwide.   

WHAT IS THE EMPOWERED VETERAN INDEX?

The Empowered Veteran Index helps guide and improve our programs at The Mission Continues. Every program is designed to help veterans grow, connect with others, and create positive change in their communities. After each program, we evaluate its impact and use feedback to make improvements, ensuring we best support veterans and strengthen the communities they serve. 
PERSONAL GROWTHThrough TMC programs and service, veterans grow both professionally and personally, supporting a successful transition to life after the military.

Areas of growth include:
• Communication
• Job readiness 
• Leadership 
• Purpose 
• Self-confidence 
• Well-being  
91% of participants find their involvement with TMC to be deeply meaningful. 
CONNECTEDNESSThrough participation in The Mission Continues, veterans experience a stronger sense of connection.

Areas of connectedness include:
• Closer ties to their community or social network 
• Expanded networking opportunities 
• Stronger bonds with other veterans 
90% of veterans feel they are part of something bigger when serving with The Mission Continues. 
COMMUNITY IMPACTBy supporting the building of strong, healthy, and sustainable communities, veterans make a meaningful impact where it's needed most.

Key impacts include: 
• Empathy (Community): Communities develop a better understanding of veterans' needs and feel more connected to the veteran population. 
• Empathy (Veterans): Veterans learn to work with people from diverse backgrounds and develop empathy for the communities they serve. 
• Further engagement: Veterans feel empowered to engage with their communities, whether through service or other forms of involvement. 
• Tangible community benefits: Communities or organizations achieve goals they couldn't have reached without veterans' service. 
85% of veterans report feeling more connected to their community through their work with TMC Service Platoons. 

"As a volunteer participant with The Mission Continues, I am continuously inspired by the professionalism, camaraderie, positivity, and synergy at the volunteer events I attend. When I see that TMC is involved with a project, I KNOW it's going to get done efficiently and with great joy!"
TMC Volunteer
"The Mission Continues brings people together who are committed to helping their communities and impacting lives. There is so much pride and integrity in our work to serve others. Conversations lead to new friendships. Those connections give you more resources to improve your own life. It's a really wonderful organization."
TMC Volunteer

95% of Veteran volunteers believe they are pursuing a meaningful mission when volunteering with TMC

"The Mission Continues is my Family. When I joined my local platoon, I felt welcomed, encouraged and mentally charged. Working with our veterans brought a new meaning to my life."

TMC Volunteer
"I've learned new skills (how to build or use power tools), met both veterans and non-veterans as well as became more familiar with nearby communities and their needs."
TMC Volunteer

89% of civilians who have volunteered with TMC feel connected to the community while serving in a platoon

The Research

Steward Redqueen Case Study – Economic Impact Assessment of TMC
Validity and Reliability of the Empowered Veteran Index - Short Form
Validity and Reliability of the Empowered Veteran Index
The Mission Continues Empowered Veterans Index
The Mission Continues Community Impact Framework
The Mission Continues: A Case Study of the Well After Service Model

Impact Stories

A 40 Year Journey for Unity in My Childhood Community All/Editor's Picks/Mass Deployment/Service Platoons - National
“A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.” All/Editor's Picks/Service Platoons
National Volunteer Week 2022: Service At Our Core National Days of Service - National
View All Stories

Get Involved

Serve again in your community, join one of our leadership development programs, and more.

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