Since Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 300,000 service members have left the military with a less than honorable discharge.
Many who are turned away from vital medical benefits and services begin to self-sabotage, and struggle to put their lives back on track.
The following organizations provide services to Washington veterans who have a less than honorable discharge.
THE SOLDIER'S PROJECT
What they do for veterans: This group connects post-9/11 soldiers and their families with therapists and social workers who provide free and confidential mental health treatment. They also offer treatment through live, interactive and online platforms (similar to Skype).
Who they help: All post 9/11 veterans, regardless of discharge status.
Contact:
Website: https://www.thesoldiersproject.org/
Seattle hotline: 206-290-1035
Brenda Walls, Seattle chapter director - bwalls@thesoldiersproject.org
NORTHWEST JUSTICE PROJECT
What they do for veterans: This group provides free legal information, advice and representation to low-income veterans, regardless of discharge status. The group has six attorneys who help qualified veterans apply for a discharge upgrade.
Who they help: Low-income veterans who need assistance with non-criminal legal issues.
Contact:
Website: RepWAVets.org
Call 1-888-201-1014 to determine eligibility
PTSD FOUNDATION OF AMERICA - SEATTLE
What they do for veterans: Veterans and active-duty service members who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can participate in co-ed peer-support groups that meet in Lakewood, Tacoma, DuPont and Tumwater. There are also peer-support groups for veterans' spouses.
The organization can send some veterans free-of-charge to Camp Hope, a male residential treatment facility in Houston, Texas. Stays at the PTSD recovery program can range from 30 days to six months. The group also partners with Catholic Community Services, which provides residential treatment to female participants.
Who they help: Any service member who has been deployed and suffers from PTSD. The program is specifically catered to combat veterans.
Contact:
Website: http://ptsdusa.org
Josh Renschler at (253) -970-7569
RALLY POINT 6
What they do for veterans: Rally Point 6 pairs active-duty service members and veterans with case managers who assess their needs, free of charge. The case managers help build action plans and connects them to other organizations who can help. The organization helps veterans in the areas of employment, education, benefits, wellness, family programs, housing, legal and finance.
Who they help: All service members and veterans, regardless of discharge status. Individuals do not have to be based in Washington state to benefit from Rally Point 6’s services.
Contact:
Website: http://rp6.org/
Phone: 253-777-0556
GIVE AN HOUR
What they do for veterans: Give An Hour provides free and confidential mental health counseling to the military-affiliated community. This includes individual, couples, family, child and substance abuse counseling. Mental Health providers offer in-person counseling, counseling over the telephone and counseling online.
Who they help: Anyone who is military-affiliated. Give An Hour also provides counseling to service members’ loved-ones.
Contact:
Website: https://www.giveanhour.org/
G.I. VOICE
What they do for veterans: This organization, based in Olympia, helps veterans apply for VA benefits and apply for discharge upgrades. The group also officers counseling resources and provides legal assistance to service members.
Who they help: All veterans, regardless of discharge status.
Contact:
Website: www.coffeestrong.org
Phone: (360) 352-6348
This is not a comprehensive list of local services. We will continue to update this list of resources. If you represent an organization that provides services to veterans, regardless of discharge status, please submit your information to tmirfendereski@king5.com.