Victor Montgomery named new National Director of OPERATION NOT FORGOTTEN
Victor Montgomery, author of Healing Suicidal Veterans, has recently been named National Director of Operation Not Forgotten (ONF). Vic will serve on the Board of Directors of Life Renewed International a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization. He will develop and manage the newly organized national network of Vet Life Communities − veterans helping veterans, support care groups throughout the United States. ONF is a program of Life Renewed International a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Operation Not Forgotten is not connected to the VA or any other government agency.
ONF Mission
The mission of Operation Not Forgotten (ONF) is to provide services that support the well-being of veterans and their families. We connect them with other veterans -- buddies they can trust and relate with to coach them through any difficulties. Our purpose is to measurably enhance and improve a veteran's quality of life and functioning in six areas: mental, physical, emotional, social, occupational and spiritual.
Many veterans have put themselves in harm's way and paid the ultimate price to protect the freedoms we enjoy. We have made it our mission to stand beside them and support them by developing a network of community care groups that support access to appropriate, quality services and care. Through our ONF Vet Life Communities, we are changing the way veterans and their families are helped.
Program Relevancy
There are 23 million veterans in this country today − 2013. Studies report approximately 17 million or 76% of those veterans have never set foot in a VA Medical Center or VA Outpatient clinic. Most are reluctant to admit difficulties or communicate their pain for fear it may be perceived as weakness. Many fear the potential label, or stigma of mental illness. So where do they go for free help... when suicide ideation, domestic violence, substance abuse, chronic depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms begin to destroy their lives and their marriages fall apart?
Research shows that one in three returning from combat is being diagnosed with serious Post Traumatic Stress symptoms, and less than 40% will receive help. With our nation's present conflicts, new generations of veterans are returning home, many of whom have substantial psychopathology and are encountering significant barriers in accessing care.
Current Activities
In response to the needs of our courageous service men and women, Life Renewed's mission, Operation Not Forgotten, is developing a network of Vet Life Communities, veteran to veteran care groups. Vet Life Communities are designed to make available to all veterans, a meeting place, and confidential and anonymous care groups offering tools to assess their current level of functioning and determine what, if any, help or coaching they may need as they transition back into life outside the military. Groups for male and female veterans are separate to ensure privacy, openness and effective discussions. There will also be separate meetings for family members. These care groups are free and are available to military veterans of all ages.
Operation Not Forgotten is designed specifically for veterans by military personnel and mental health professionals.
Program Components
Vet Life Community is a network of local community weekly support meeting - care groups, the buddy system, veterans helping veterans face to face - offering tools necessary to assess current levels of functioning and determine what, if any, help or coaching veterans may need as they transition back into life outside the military.
The care groups will be similarly structured to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) - a tried and proven model - the most effective intervention in the United States. The Vet Life Service office is designed to assist statewide Vet Life Community care groups to train and certify their group leaders; support their local community outreaches; and supply all local community care groups with outreach literature.
The literature and technology support made available to leaders and/or Life Coaches for each care group meeting includes:
Stay Connected to ONF
Website - operationnotforgotten.com
Any correspondence and/or tax deductible donations/grants to ONF can be mailed to:
Life Renewed International/ ONF
6141 SHALLOW WOOD LN.
DOUGLASVILLE, GEORGIA, 30135-5435
