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While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our healthcare, the economy, and social behaviour, we are reminded that our military and Veteran community may be particularly vulnerable during this global crisis. Many of our military and Veterans will have pre-existing physical and mental health conditions, which may be intensified due to the pandemic. Likewise, some may be socially or geographically isolated and/or financially unstable after their transition to civilian life. Studies have shown that military families are significantly less likely to have access to healthcare than their civilian counterparts. Our thoughts are with them and we are striving to find ways to maintain or increase support during these unprecedented times.
Stories of inspiration, resilience and strength are more important than ever. Last month brought International Women’s Day, a time where we celebrate the achievements of women, raise awareness about gender bias and find ways to create equality. Additionally, April is the Month of the Military Child and it is an opportunity to acknowledge the resilience of children from military and Veteran families and the unique challenges they face. For instance, children from military families experience double the rate of mental health issues compared to children from civilian families.
Below we’ve highlighted some of the programs we fund and a few inspiring women that are making a positive difference in the lives of our brave men and women in uniform. To help provide additional support to serving members, Veterans and families as they face increased challenges due to the pandemic, please donate today.
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Programs supporting children from military and Veteran families
Kids Help Phone: supporting children through text messaging
Parental deployments, frequent relocations and unpredictable work hours, to name a few, all play a role in the well-being of children from military families. For some, these experiences can lead to various stressors such as: anxiety, loneliness, problems at school, or not feeling understood by friends and trusted adults.
True Patriot Love is proud to partner with Military Family Services and Kids Help Phone to launch a new crisis text line: CAFKids. Launching next week, children can text CAFKids to 686868 and receive access to a counsellor (JEUNESFAC at 686868 for support in French). This crisis text line caters to children from military and Veteran families as each counsellor is trained in military culture and understands the challenges related to service.
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which can intensify current stressors, CAFKids will provide youth from military and Veteran families with tailored counselling that caters to their realities.
Strongest Families Institute: assistance during unprecedented times
Strongest Families Institute, a program funded by True Patriot Love, delivers online and telephone coaching to military and Veteran families whose children live with anxiety, depression or other behavioural concerns. Program coaches work directly with the families using evidence-based techniques to offer effective solutions that meet the unique needs of each family.
With the ongoing pandemic, which can induce increased feelings of anxiety, depression and isolation, Strongest Families Institute has continued to provide its services to military and Veteran families in need. This ensures hundreds of families are receiving the support they require.
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Carrying forward the legacy of Capt. Nichola Goddard
Captain Nichola Goddard was a true example of leadership. As an Artillery Officer she effectively led her unit through harrowing situations, supported her comrades, and was highly respected by her peers. Sadly, in May 2006, she was killed in an ambush in Kandahar, Afghanistan, making her the first Canadian woman soldier to die in a combat role.
A role model for many, Capt. Goddard's legacy lives on through the Capt. Nichola Goddard Fund. The fund is managed by True Patriot Love on behalf of the Goddard family and supports programs that provide critical resources to servicewomen, Veteran women and families in need.
Capt. Nichola Goddard brought to light the important role women play in the Canadian Armed Forces and by extension the world. To continue raising awareness, the foundation created the Capt. Nichola Goddard Leadership Series. These events provide attendees the opportunity to hear from inspiring women who share their experiences as leaders in the military and civilian communities.
Capt. Nichola Goddard Leadership Series in Vancouver
In March, True Patriot Love hosted the Capt. Nichola Goddard Leadership Series in Calgary and Vancouver for the first time. Guests heard from various speakers who discussed the lessons they’ve learned as leaders and the importance of gender diversity. The event also raised funds for the Capt. Nichola Goddard Fund. We are thrilled to share that together, both events raised $70,000.
Our work, however, doesn't end here. You can help us make an even bigger difference and change more lives by donating today to the Capt. Nichola Goddard Fund. |
Women making a life-changing impact in the military and Veteran community
Highlighted below are four inspirational women who are making a positive impact in the military and Veteran community: |
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Sergeant (Retired) Alannah Gilmore
A role model and inspiration to many, Sergeant (Retired) Alannah Gilmore was medically released from the military for physical and mental health injuries in 2015 and diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2018 – the same year she was accepted to be part of Team Canada at the 2020 Invictus Games in The Hague. READ MORE
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Claire Kennedy
Claire Kennedy is a senior advisor for Bennett Jones and a strong advocate for our brave men and women in uniform. In 2016, Claire joined the Vinson Massif Expedition team, helping to raise $2.4 million for programs that support the military and Veteran community. Claire has also helped grow the True Patriot Love Capt. Nichola Goddard Leadership Series which started as a standalone event in Toronto. READ MORE
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Lieutenant Commander Kathryn Logan
LCdr Kathryn Logan is a past participant of True Patriot Love's all women's expedition to Baffin Island, which raised $1 million for the military and Veteran community. She continues to empower and support women through her work with the True Patriot Love Captain Nichola Goddard Leadership Series. READ MORE
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Katherine Rusk
Katherine Rusk is the sister of Capt. Nichola Goddard - the first Canadian women soldier to die in a combat role. As a member of the True Patriot Love Disbursement Advisory Committee and Goddard family representative, Katherine advocates for servicewomen and Veteran women and assists the foundation in disbursing grants to programs that effectively benefit women in the military and Veteran community. READ MORE
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Reflection on a milestone: Baffin Island All-Women Expedition
This month marks the one year anniversary of True Patriot Love's first-ever all-women's expedition to Baffin Island where a team of extraordinary business leaders and military members trekked 100km across the Arctic Circle.
Together, the team raised $1 million for the military and Veteran community, which has funded many programs like Team Rubicon Canada's initiative to further support women Veterans. Team Rubicon Canada unites first responders and military Veterans to assist local communities affected by disaster and crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding raised from the Baffin Island expedition will help Team Rubicon Canada recruit and train women Veterans as team members and leaders as they work to support and empower local communities.
Team Rubicon Canada training session
The expedition also provided the team with life-changing mentorship and peer support. Both military members and business leaders were able to learn from each other and help one another. In fact, one of the military members is now working towards opening a business that supports Veterans thanks to the mentorship provided through the expedition.
Having generated a multitude of awareness, the Baffin Island expedition also helped educate the public on the challenges military members and Veterans face, especially servicewomen and Veteran women. By banding together and accomplishing this outstanding achievement, the team demonstrated the undeniable strength each women possesses.
True Patriot Love is incredibly proud of the Baffin Island team; their support of one another, the feats they've surmounted and the life-changing work they have done for the military and Veteran community.
Baffin Island expedition team
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Upcoming event: True Patriot Love WWII Virtual Fireside Chat
This May marks the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of Holland and the end of World War II. Prior to the COVID-19 lockdown, True Patriot Love planned on commemorating this occasion by hosting an educational trip to the Netherlands to visit critical battlegrounds and memorials that honour the service and sacrifice of members of Canada’s military during WWII. While we all learn how to navigate this global crisis, there are important lessons to be learned from the leadership and resiliency of our military during WWII.
With this in mind, we are hosting a Virtual Fireside Chat on May 5 at 4 p.m. EST. During this engaging discussion, you will have the opportunity to hear from Veterans spanning various generations including former Chief of the Defence Staff General (Retired) Rick Hillier, WWII Veteran Captain (Retired) Martin Maxwell and former Invictus Games athlete Corporal (Retired) Kelly Scanlan as they share their unique perspectives on the War and draw parallels that can help us with today's pandemic. The discussion will be moderated by Peter Mansbridge, former chief correspondent for CBC News and anchor of The National. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions in advance or live during the chat for an interactive experience.
As we all navigate the unchartered territory of the COVID-19 pandemic, True Patriot Love’s commitment to serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans and their families remains strong and focused. Please consider making a generous donation today to continue supporting the military and Veteran community during the present crisis and beyond.
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