Kenny Thomas - PTSDUSA.org

In this episode, Buddy Broyles hosts Kenny Thomas of PTSDUSA.org https://ptsdusa.org/ About: The PTSD Foundation of America aims to bring hope and healing to veterans and their families suffering from the effects of combat-related post-traumatic stress. We are a 501(c)(3) organization that began as a grassroots effort in 2005 with a group of concerned volunteers who searched for homeless veterans on the streets of Houston with a vision and passion for drastically reducing the veteran suicide rate through programming and outreach services. In the past decade, 80,000 veterans were lost to suicide—20,000 more than the number of American soldiers killed in action in Vietnam. The Veterans Health Administration estimates that 44 veterans take their own lives daily. Through our dedication to the mission, we have successfully grown into a nationally recognized non-profit known for assisting combat veterans and their families with the complexities of post-traumatic stress, changing the trajectory of their lives, and transforming them into thriving and productive members of society. In 2012, we established Camp Hope, a interim housing facility in Houston, Texas. Starting as an 8-bedroom home that provided interim and transitional housing to veterans working to heal their invisible wounds, our five-acre campus now includes five housing facilities with 120 beds: two buildings for classes, worship services, a meeting facility to hold Warrior Group meetings, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings; and a unit for hosting family integration programs. Since the inception of Camp Hope, the program has maintained a 24-hour crisis line that a trained combat veteran answers. The organization employs approximately 100 individuals nationwide and offers various services and programs to prevent and reduce suicide among veterans. Over the past ten years, more than 16,000 combat veterans from all branches of the military and their families have found help, healing, and hope through our outreach program and at Camp Hope. Our Outreach offices are in markets with some of the highest suicide rates among veterans. We currently have chapters in five states and six major cities, including Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Tampa. Our main goal in Outreach is to help veterans with PTSD and provide them with the Camp Hope program if qualified, peer-to-peer services, warrior support groups, and crisis intervention. Our Outreach staff also supports their local communities with PTSD and suicide awareness presentations to challenge them to get involved in veteran issues in their areas. Since our inception, the PTSD Foundation of America has grown and adapted to meet combat veterans and their families' mental, physical, and spiritual needs. Camp Hope has facilitated over 350 group sessions with 4,321 attendees and provided over 3,000 in-person individual support meetings last year. Over the past ten years, more than 1,800 combat veterans have found a renewed purpose, earned college degrees, found employment, became financially independent, reunified with their families, and reintegrated into society. Podcast Sponsors:   Visual Learning Solutions stands out with its expertise in crafting immersive audio and video experiences. Their creative team, led by Buddy Broyles, has over 30 years of experience delivering dynamic internal training programs tailored to various industries. They ensure the audience receives a compelling message, promote brand awareness, and increase Return On Investment. They also excel in producing marketing content such as online videos, webcasts, podcasts, and live event production. Learn more at www.visuallearningsolutions.com    A happy brain spends money. Applied NeuroKnowledge specializes in brain-friendly marketing communication. Dr. AT Grant is a cognitive neuroscientist who has been vice president of 3 marketing research firms over the years. She translates scientific insights into practical strategies that resonate with target markets leading to increased revenue. She improves messaging to attract attention, communicate the benefits of the product, and successfully presents a call to action. Podcast services provided by Visual Learning Solutions, LLC https://visuallearningsolutions.com/ Recorded at the VLS Podcast Studio: https://caddooffices.com/