South Carolina, Nov. 11, 2020 – In observance of Veterans Day, Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced an investment of $765,000 to South Carolina veterans organizations. Since 2010, Boeing has invested more than $4 million in veterans programs and services across South Carolina. The company’s investment strategy focuses on partnering with organizations and community leaders to bring awareness to some of the challenges veterans face while transitioning to civilian life. Boeing’s investments will fund veterans’ workforce transition services and recovery and rehabilitation programs through 2021 and beyond.
“At Boeing, we are committed to helping veterans and their families thrive by ensuring they have access to high-quality programs and services throughout the state,” said Lindsay Leonard, Senior Director of National Strategy & Engagement at Boeing South Carolina. “As integral members of our community and workforce, veterans bringing unique skills to their work and frequently serve as local volunteers, leaders, and mentors.”
Veterans make up more than 20% of Boeing South Carolina’s workforce and are active members at work as well as in their communities through one of the Boeing’s 33 Veteran Engagement Teams.
“Boeing employees have been some of our most dedicated volunteers and mentors,” said Mark Holyfield, Executive Director, Vantage Point Foundation. “Members of their Boeing Veteran Engagement Team have been through our program and come back as mentors to continue serving their veteran brothers and sisters.”
Today’s announcement builds on Boeing’s commitment to veterans throughout South Carolina to:
- Help bring new programs to the state, such as the Kayak Resilience Program at Coastal Expeditions, which takes the principles of kayaking and applies them to interpersonal development skills; the program also focuses on Post-Traumatic Stress recovery.
“Boeing is saving lives,” said Chris Crolley, founder of the Coastal Expeditions Kayak Resilience Program. “I’ve watched veterans on the brink of suicide transition to becoming mentors and community leaders through the work Boeing has funded. We are grateful to have them in our community.”
- Invest in workforce transition programs such as Palmetto Warrior Connection and Goodwill Industries’ Trained to Succeed Program, which connects veterans across seven counties to high-demand job sectors through a fast-paced credentialing program.
- Partner with local organizations such as the Charleston RiverDogs to honor local veterans through its Military Appreciation Night and Hall of Honor. “The Lowcountry, and especially our veterans, are lucky to have Boeing in our community,” said Dave Echols, General Manager, Charleston RiverDogs. “Whether they’re bringing non-profits to games to interact with veterans or allowing their veteran employees to enjoy a night at The Joe, they walk the talk when it comes to honoring and serving our nation’s heroes.”
- Establish the Boeing Veterans Leadership Award, presented by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. The annual award, now in its second year is given to organizations that demonstrate outstanding commitment and service to the state’s veterans and their families. The inaugural recipient, Upstate Warrior Solution, is also a grant partner of Boeing. The organization helps bridge the gap between military and civilian life by facilitating peer-to-peer interactions with service members as they transition to civilian life. Serving five counties in the Upstate, the organization conducted wellness checks earlier this year on all 7,000 warriors they have served to ensure health and safety during COVID-19. “We are thankful that Boeing recognizes the contributions veterans bring to our state and the unique challenges they may face after leaving the military. We were proud to receive the inaugural Boeing Veterans Leadership Award and have been able to provide more veterans with quality services since our partnership with them began,” said Charlie Hall, President, Upstate Warrior Solution.
Boeing also announced today the company’s 2020 national investments to veterans programs totaling $14.2 million. This announcement builds on Boeing’s commitment to combat racism and advance racial equity and social justice. For more information on Boeing’s commitment to veterans across the United States, please visit: https://jobs.boeing.com/veterans.
About Boeing South Carolina’s veterans grant partners:
Vantage Point Foundation: Vantage Point Foundation (VPF) guides and supports post-9/11 military veterans and their families on a path towards healing and civilian success. VPF supports veterans throughout South Carolina who have experienced wartime trauma and helps them translate military leadership skills into civilian workforce skills while increasing their resiliency skills and providing support systems needed to improve their quality of life.
Contact: Mark Holyfield, Executive Director
Upstate Warrior Solution: The Upstate Warrior Solution connects warriors and their families to resources and opportunities, leads them through the process of self-empowerment, and inspires the community to embrace local warriors and their family members as valued neighbors and friends.
Contact: Charlie Hall, President
Palmetto Warrior Connection: Palmetto Warrior Connection (PWC) empowers warriors and their families through collaboration, advocacy, and education and by promoting relentless quality care. PWC supports veterans and their families as they integrate into the civilian community and helps them achieve their full potential through dignity and power of appropriate work.
Contact: Jermaine Husser, Executive Director
Veterans Bridge Home: Through a large network of partners, Veterans Bridge Home navigates employment, creates social connections, and settles families into civilian life. They look at the whole veteran and provide a connection to the resources needed to be successful and thriving leaders in the community.
Contact: Blake Bourne, Executive Director
Stop Soldier Suicide: Stop Soldier Suicide is fighting against veteran suicide with a proactive and disruptive approach focused on meeting at-risk individuals where they are. Their team provides personalized care and continued case management to help identify each individual’s specific needs. Whether it’s mental health support, housing assistance, or any other kind of service, they work to find the right and most effective tools.
Contact: Chris Ford, CEO
Coastal Expeditions Veteran Kayak Resilience Program: The Coastal Expeditions Kayak Resilience Program provides sea kayak resilience training for veterans in the Charleston area. Over the course of their program, participants take part in full-day expeditions into saltwater and blackwater ecosystems. Taking the principles of sea kayaking and applying them to interpersonal development skills, this program focuses on PTSD recovery and learning how to help – and be helped – on the water and in life.
Contact: Chris Crolley, Executive Director
Lowcountry Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (LEAP): LEAP is an experience-based therapy that helps civilians and veterans find success in their daily lives. LEAP brings horses and experienced, highly trained therapists together to assist veterans who are experiencing behavioral, emotional, or psychological challenges.
Contact: Dr. Kathleen Broughan, Founder and Executive Director