TULSA, Okla. — Veteran X is a philanthropic corporation that uses all its proceeds to give back to veterans across the United States.
Forty-four veterans a day die by suicide or self-injury, according to Mission Roll Call. Veteran X wants to help stop this by offering support, resources and a 24/7 national peer support line.
“We’re easier to approach, veteran to veteran,” said Josiah Westfall, director of partnership procurement for Veteran X. “Maybe just being there on the other line is enough for that veteran to go ‘You know what? I don’t need to go forward with this,’” Josiah Westfall.
Westfall explained that simply talking to another veteran and developing that peer support is enough to make a difference and save lives.
“I think that veterans aren’t networked in enough,” he said. “I think we’re a little forgotten and I think we need to look out for each other, that’s what we do on the battlefield.”
The corporation began in 2017 but took off in 2019. They offer help to veterans who may not understand how to get resources.
Veteran X has a free membership package and a purchased elite package. With the elite package comes a Quick Reaction Fund, a fund by Veteran X for veterans who can request help if they are in desperate need of money for car issues, groceries and more.
Veteran X also holds Coffee with Veterans every Saturday. This is an event where any veteran can come, get coffee and support from other veterans.
Currently, four states have Coffee with Veterans and Veteran X wants to establish this event in all 50 states.
Veteran X also makes it a point to serve all veterans, including those dishonorably discharged and those who are homeless.
Six percent of Oklahoma’s population is homeless and ten percent of the homeless population are veterans.
“We work with all, regardless of discharge or time of service,” explained co-founder and chief operating officer Daniel Ragan.
Veterans who have been dishonorably discharged are court marshalled and convicted of a felony. They are not allowed to vote, obtain passports and it can cause difficulty for them finding work. They also do not get any resources from the VA or government meaning they receive no psychiatric help or educational resource help.
Dishonorable discharge can happen from one mistake, fighting with an officer, drinking underage, repeated offenses, drug use and more.
More than 500,000 members of the military are people in the 18-25 age bracket.
Many associations will not help veterans who have been dishonorably discharged but Veteran X does.
“We really try to help all veterans, it doesn’t matter if they’ve done combat or not,” Ragan said. “It doesn’t matter if they’ve gotten kicked out or not, you’ll find that group that really has each other’s backs.”
Veteran X is working on expanding, opening gyms, clinics and housing communities that are owned and operated by veterans. The goal is to create jobs and opportunities for all veterans.
“That’s our number one goal, to give our veterans missions,” Westfall said.
The 24/7 peer support line is just a call away at 844-838-9669.
Sourced from: https://www.fox23.com/news/organization-veteran-x-serving-those-who-served-us/article_5ee2633e-b22b-11ed-bcef-3b824bc383ed.html
Information vetted by the Veteran X Team.
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