The Mission Continues is the only national nonprofit challenging post-9/11 veterans to rebuild a sense of purpose through community service. The Mission Continues is reshaping the way this country welcomes homes our veterans by showing that these men and women are tremendous assets whose leadership and skills can be vital to their community's improvement.
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The Mission Continues is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2007 after CEO Eric Greitens returned home from service in Iraq as a Navy SEAL. While visiting wounded service members at Bethesda Naval Hospital, each one expressed an unwavering desire to continue serving his/her country. One young Marine stated: "I lost my legs - that is all. I did not lose my desire to serve." Inspired by this dedication to service, Eric Greitens, Kaj Larson, and Kenneth Harbaugh used their combat and disability pay from serving in the military to start The Mission Continues.
The Mission Continues challenges post-9/11 veterans to serve again in their communities through a service fellowship at a nonprofit organization.
The Mission Continues has awarded 200 fellowships in 30 states to date. Fellowships are 26 weeks long, done at local nonprofits in their communities, and Fellows are eligible for a cost-of-living stipend during their service.
Mission Continues service projects have engaged thousands of volunteers, in hundreds of communities. At these service projects, The Mission Continues recognizes our veterans as civic assets through and brings veterans and civilians together to build stronger communities.
Through these service projects, veterans feel more connected to opportunities to continue to serve, and veteran supporters gain a better understanding of our men and women in uniform and a greater appreciation for their service abroad and in our communities.
In 2012, The Mission Continues will drastically expand its Fellowship program to engage ALL post-9/11 veterans, welcoming 500 new Fellows to The Mission Continues family. By lifting the requirement that fellowship candidates possess a VA rating, we are recognizing that all veterans, not just those bearing the physical wounds of war, are civic assets that are needed as leaders in our communities.
This growth is fueled by a deep belief that this generation of veterans is poised to be the next greatest generation. We know this will not only impact the 500 Fellows who serve next year, but the thousands of lives and hundreds of communities they touch.
The Mission Continues prides itself in having a professional, passionate, intelligent, motivated and inventive. Our growing team operates under five key values: 1) Hard work. 2) Trust is our foundation. 3) Learn and grow. 4) Respect everyone. 5) Have fun.
The founding directors of The Mission Continues bring years of experience and service to the organization. Their service stretches across civil and military affairs, government service in legislative, executive, and judicial branches, international humanitarian efforts, juvenile justice service, youth service, and involvement with veterans’ organizations.
The Mission Continues Board of Directors includes:
The Mission Continues' Board of Advisors includes Former Senator John Danforth from Missouri, Former Senator Bob Kerrey from Nebraska, Former Senator Max Cleland from Georgia, Former Governor Bob Holden from Missouri, Vincent C. Schoemehl, Jr. (46th mayor of St. Louis), and Former Senator Harris Wofford from Pennsylvania.[1]
An introductory video: http://www.youtube.com/user/MissionContinues#p/a/u/2/jItDegMWTfo