American Veteran Center YMCA
Tax deductible
"The road to recovery for a wounded veteran is paved by family, community and country. That road starts with us." -CEO Rick Houp.
The American Veteran Community Center is set to open a brand new facility in Harnett County in early 2020. We have partnered with the local community to create a 30,000 square foot state-of-of-the-art support and recovery center within the walls of the YMCA. The goal is to provide healing and recovery to the whole spirit, mind and body, with the wounded veteran's family and community right alongside them every step of the way. Without a solid foundation of support, recovery gets much more difficult, the American Veteran Center aims to provide the start of that foundation. The American Veteran Center has something for all walks of life; a pool for aqua therapy and water aerobics, a gym with inclusive and accessible equipment, group exercise classes to connect with others in the community and so much more. We can meet the wounded veteran exactly where he or she is at on the path to recovery.
Fort Bragg and its surrounding areas have one of the highest populations of veterans and wounded veterans in the country. Our VA hospitals and clinics struggle to accommodate everyone and wait times are often excruciatingly long. Once initial care is received, additional resources and continuing plans for therapy are often hard to come by. The goal of the American Veteran Center is to give our wounded veterans a place to receive the help, exercise and support they need. By reconnecting and reintegrating them into their community, we are helping to pave the way to continuing recovery.
Since beginning construction, the process of converting the building has brought with it several unforeseen costs. Upwards $200,000 that had been set aside to purchase specialized inclusive equipment has needed to be re-purposed to fund other aspects of construction. Without these funds, we cannot adequately serve the people that this facility was designed to serve. We are asking for our community's help to bridge this gap in funding. All donations received will go directly towards providing inclusive exercise equipment and ultimately, bettering the lives of our veteran community. We are in need of a hand bike, a wheelchair treadmill, an accessible lift for the pool and a variety of other specialized pieces of equipment to help us provide care for all levels of ability and accessibility.
Sergeant Carlos Evans was serving his 4th tour when his life and the lives of his family changed forever. Evans was leading a patrol when he stepped
on an IED. The explosion ripped through both of his legs and left arm. After numerous surgeries and skin grafts, Carlos was released from Bethesda. “At first we were lost,” said Sgt. Evans, “we did not know how to connect to the community. Where we once experienced encouragement and support
from the hospital staff we now felt isolated and alone. This was a very difficult time for my family and myself. Having the American Veteran and Community Center would have made the transition from hospital to home much easier. Those of us who now live with such life changing injuries need a place like the American Veteran and Community Center. It is on their behalf that I thank you for your support.”
Sergeant Carlos Evans, Marines
We are in our final hours before the facility is set to open. Help us to make this facility all that it is meant to be, we cannot do it without your help and without the help of our community.
The American Veteran Community Center is set to open a brand new facility in Harnett County in early 2020. We have partnered with the local community to create a 30,000 square foot state-of-of-the-art support and recovery center within the walls of the YMCA. The goal is to provide healing and recovery to the whole spirit, mind and body, with the wounded veteran's family and community right alongside them every step of the way. Without a solid foundation of support, recovery gets much more difficult, the American Veteran Center aims to provide the start of that foundation. The American Veteran Center has something for all walks of life; a pool for aqua therapy and water aerobics, a gym with inclusive and accessible equipment, group exercise classes to connect with others in the community and so much more. We can meet the wounded veteran exactly where he or she is at on the path to recovery.
Fort Bragg and its surrounding areas have one of the highest populations of veterans and wounded veterans in the country. Our VA hospitals and clinics struggle to accommodate everyone and wait times are often excruciatingly long. Once initial care is received, additional resources and continuing plans for therapy are often hard to come by. The goal of the American Veteran Center is to give our wounded veterans a place to receive the help, exercise and support they need. By reconnecting and reintegrating them into their community, we are helping to pave the way to continuing recovery.
Since beginning construction, the process of converting the building has brought with it several unforeseen costs. Upwards $200,000 that had been set aside to purchase specialized inclusive equipment has needed to be re-purposed to fund other aspects of construction. Without these funds, we cannot adequately serve the people that this facility was designed to serve. We are asking for our community's help to bridge this gap in funding. All donations received will go directly towards providing inclusive exercise equipment and ultimately, bettering the lives of our veteran community. We are in need of a hand bike, a wheelchair treadmill, an accessible lift for the pool and a variety of other specialized pieces of equipment to help us provide care for all levels of ability and accessibility.
Sergeant Carlos Evans was serving his 4th tour when his life and the lives of his family changed forever. Evans was leading a patrol when he stepped
on an IED. The explosion ripped through both of his legs and left arm. After numerous surgeries and skin grafts, Carlos was released from Bethesda. “At first we were lost,” said Sgt. Evans, “we did not know how to connect to the community. Where we once experienced encouragement and support
from the hospital staff we now felt isolated and alone. This was a very difficult time for my family and myself. Having the American Veteran and Community Center would have made the transition from hospital to home much easier. Those of us who now live with such life changing injuries need a place like the American Veteran and Community Center. It is on their behalf that I thank you for your support.”
Sergeant Carlos Evans, Marines
We are in our final hours before the facility is set to open. Help us to make this facility all that it is meant to be, we cannot do it without your help and without the help of our community.
Organizer
YMCA of the Sandhills
Organizer
Cameron, NC
Young Mens Christian Asso of Fayetteville NC Inc
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
