I never served in the military, but my brother and two cousins did. That was during the height of the Vietnam War.  Since 9/11, eight of my nieces and nephews have also served.  Based upon what we know about my ancestors, Braughtons have fought in every major US war or conflict since we arrived in America in the middle of the 17th Century.  This is why I know that the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make aren't just on the battlefield.  The sacrifice begins when they first enlist, leave their families for long periods of time and are paid only enough to ensure that they don't fall below 130% of the poverty level for their area.   

With an estimated 100,000 veterans and active duty personnel in Hillsborough County alone, we know the need is great.   While veterans make up nearly 10 percent of the U.S. population, they account for roughly one in five suicides.  Despite a slew of new oversight and assistance programs, troubling new numbers estimate that up to 26,000 military members may have been sexually assaulted last year. Of those, fewer than 3,400 reported the incident, and nearly 800 of them simply sought help but declined to file complaints against their alleged attackers. Add to this the chronic stress on children from frequent moves, long absences by one or both parents and the mental health and physical challenges of having served in a combat zone and there can be no question that supporting the men and women who have given so much for our freedom and way of life has to be foremost on the Crisis Center's priority list.   

Through growing partnerships with MacDill Air Force Base, the Florida Veterans Administration and other community organizations such as TBARTA, the Crisis Center is embarking on three new innovative services to the members of our armed forces and their families. In the next 60 days, we will start promoting our 2-1-1 program at MacDill Air Force Base as a way of encouraging more active duty personnel and their families to get help before a crisis erupts. The program also includes training for MacDill personnel in crisis intervention and response skills.   

Funding by the Florida VA will make possible the start of a peer supported Veterans Warm Line where retired and active duty military personnel who are having problems can call 24 hours a day and speak to a fellow veteran.  Soon, we expect to launch the My Ride service in concert with TBARTA so that veterans living in Greater Tampa Bay can find transportation to doctor's appointments or other needed services as well.  However, like the work we are doing with MacDill Air Force Base, there is no funding for this service.    

We at the Crisis Center are proud to be serving those who have given so much to serve us and our Country.  Given our mission to ensure that no one faces crisis alone, I can't think of a more compelling cause.  If you agree, won't you please join us by making a generous gift today in support of these many efforts?  The Crisis Center will need to bring on additional staff in order to provide these services and we need your financial support in order to do this. The men and women who have served in our armed forces have been willing to lay down their lives for us.  If you think it's time for us to say thanks, please click the donation button below.