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Defenders of Freedom

Mission Statement

Defenders of Freedom provides donors with the organization they need to support post 9/11 Veterans in their transition to civilian life through emergency financial assistance, morale building programs, and traumatic brain injury treatment.

 

Our Story

Defenders of Freedom (DOF) was founded in 2004 by Donna Cranston. As the mother of a warrior deployed in Iraq, Donna combined her personal experiences as a military mom with her passion and desire to help our Veterans succeed with honor as they returned home. Raised in a family that instilled patriotism, Donna began her journey working with Veterans by sending care packages overseas to the Troops and participating in the Welcome Home a Hero program at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport. This program supported the Army’s Rest and Recuperation program for weary Soldiers who came home for 2 weeks during their yearlong tour. Donna attended her first DFW greeting in June of 2004, and it changed her life forever. Through these activities and the unfilled needs that Donna learned from her interactions with Veterans, she founded Defenders of Freedom as an avenue to connect the community to service members. Most Americans support our Troops, but just don’t know how they can help. They just needed a tangible way to participate. DOF began providing assistance to Veterans by sending care packages and providing emergency financial assistance to those that returned with disabilities and were badly in need. Donna listened to these men and women and responded to their needs. DOF expanded its services to include an evidence-based approach to treating Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in Veterans.

TBI is the signature wound for post 9/11 Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and historically, very little had been done to successfully treat the injury. Defenders of Freedom identified a solution to this debilitating injury and is committed to helping Veterans get this life changing treatment. Functional neurology is proving to improve the lives of the Veterans we put through the program. We believe it might be the most effective tool in combatting suicide among post 9/11 Veterans.

DOF serves both male and female Veterans who have deployed to the middle east. We have worked with Veterans across 32 states. Veterans are referred to us from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), crisis hotlines, local social service providers, and by word-of-mouth from other Veterans.

According to the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, TBI is a significant health issue which affects service members and Veterans during times of both peace and war. This condition is estimated to have affected 370,000 service members since 2000. For every soldier killed since 2003, seven soldiers have been injured. Multiple deployments enhance the chances of leaving a tour with TBI. Many Soldiers make it home from war seemingly outwardly untouched, when in reality they are some of the most debilitated. What we have learned from Veterans is that until they receive proper treatment for a TBI, rather than just prescribed medication to address symptoms, their road to healing is both long and challenging. It is common for DOF to see Veterans who were stellar Soldiers while on active duty, now unable to hold down civilian jobs and have no idea why they are not able to properly function. DOF has worked tirelessly with these Veterans to help them get the care that they need to get them on the right path.

Defenders of Freedom’s primary goals are to provide care and transitional support for our Troops and Veterans, assistance with basic living necessities through short-term emergency financial support, address imminent physical and mental health issues, improve morale, keep Veterans engaged in a supportive community, and to provide access to Veterans with TBI to a comprehensive treatment protocol.

If you would like more information about our program you may contact us at:
donna@defendersoffreedom.us or jodi@defendersoffreedom.us

 

Locations:

Dallas, TX

Kansas City, MO

Pittsburgh, PA

Pensacola, FL

 

Service Area:
Texas
HOPE Project, Inc

The HOPE Project seeks to help bring hope and healing to wounded warriors, first responders, veterans, their families as well as to children, teens and adults who have been abused using horses, most of which have been rescued. The HOPE Project provides free Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, Therapeutic Riding, pastoral counseling and resources to those who have suffered trauma and may be battling PTSD.

 

Programs:

PTSD/TBI Education & Support

Pastoral Counseling

Battlebuddy Support Groups

Group Functions & Retreats

Workshops on : Resiliency,

Teambuilding, Leadership, & More

Volunteer Opportunities

HOPE Chapel Services

 

Service Area:
Florida
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)

IAVA’s mission is to connect, unite, and empower post-9/11 veterans.

Our Core Values
Mission First
Integrity Always
Everyone Is Welcome
Respect Must Be Paid
Lead in Service
Attitude + Effort = Victory
Make the Juice Worth the Squeeze
We Are the Changemakers
Keep It Fun (Don’t Be an Asshole)
Think of the Children
Win the Day

Programs
Quick Reaction Force – A concierge veteran empowerment program helping veterans navigate an often complex road map to quality free services.

The Vote Hub – Voting is important! Regardless of political views, it is your duty to vote. The Vote Hub is a resource to help you find registration information for your state and your local polling location.

Advocacy – IAVA fights and wins battles for the post 9/11 generation of veterans. IAVA gets results. Our members tell us what’s important, and we engage policy makers and the media to bring about positive change.

Big 6 – IAVA’s members have identified 6 priority issues that matter most to them (combat suicide, burn pits & toxic exposures, modernize VA, women veterans, alternative therapies, and education benefits)

Take Action – IAVA cannot do our work without your help. Please let your representatives know how important these issues are to you and to the veteran community.

Policy Agenda – IAVA has recommended specific policy priorities to address the issues that matter most to post-9/11 veterans.

 

Service Area:
Online-Nationwide
Shields & Stripes

OUR WHY

We believe that First Responders and Veterans are the true American heroes, and when they receive a mental injury, they should be provided the top-tier rehabilitation program to get them back on track.

OUR MISSION

Shields and Stripes provides first line defenders the opportunity to heal visible and non-visible wounds, helping those we need the most to live meaningful lives in service to our communities.

OUR VISION

Shields and Stripes are bringing Special Operations resilience experience to care for our first-line defenders. Our innovative solution treats a sub-population suffering in silence to increased levels of mental health issues. Additionally, Shields and Stripes encourages help-seeking culture change among the service members, veterans, and first responder community. Our compassion and determination decreases negative perceptions, minimizes bias and eliminates discrimination against those isolated and in pain so they don’t get left behind.

 

Service Area:
Online-Nationwide
War Horses for Veterans

War Horses for Veterans, Inc. is a unique program that has had great success in helping veterans and active military personnel transition from combat to civilian life through the use of horse-related activities. Founded in part by a former soldier, we have firsthand insight into what is required in order to make this transition. Please review our programs below for qualification and enrollment information.

COMBAT VETERANS​: https://www.warhorsesforveterans.org/veterans
FIRST RESPONDERS: https://www.warhorsesforveterans.org/first-responders
SOF​: https://www.warhorsesforveterans.org/sof
EVENTS​: https://www.warhorsesforveterans.org/copy-of-challenges
CHALLENGES​: https://www.warhorsesforveterans.org/copy-of-programs
CORPORATE TRAINING​

 

Service Area:
Kansas