I recently read Catcher in the Rye, a novel that's regularly seen as a coming-of-age story, but beneath that, it's deeply shaped by pain and emotional struggle. When I learned that J.D Salinger wrote this book after serving in World War 2, it made me realize that oftentimes people create stories and art as a way of processing their trauma.

I realized that not everyone has the ability to turn their experiences into art. Many veterans carry invisible wounds long after their service ends, and very often, they face those struggles alone.

That's why I'm starting this fundraiser to support the Wounded Warrior Project. This organization provides mental health services, support programs, and community for veterans who are finding their way through life after trauma.

By donating, you’re helping provide therapy, connection and community to someone who needs it. You’re helping ensure that no veteran faces their struggles alone.

Stories like Catcher in the Rye remind us that pain can shape a person, but support, understanding and community can help them heal.