The Vision
Our Mission
Supporting Veterans
With community support, we help prevent homelessness and suicides by providing our members camaraderie, mentorship, family healing and valuable expressive arts industry vocational skills for economic stability and successful reintegration into civilian life.
Creative Drill Sergeants: An Introduction
Our nation is faced with increasing numbers of Iraq and Afghanistan OIF/OEF Veterans separating from military service with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and often Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Homelessness risk and suicide rates among our nation’s heroes will continue to rise without more effective coping mechanisms for use as trauma healing interventions.
Trauma healing interventions begin with the four connected components of our Mission Statement that help prevent homelessness and suicides among Veterans and can lead to successful reintegration into civilian life.
The Four Components Of Our Mission Statement
1. Camaraderie
While serving, our military develops a built-in, tried and true social network that is often lost and missed by Veterans after they exit military service. Therefore, building a new social network is paramount to a Veterans successful reintegration into civilian life. We have workshops and instructional classes that bring together Veterans and their families for support through camaraderie.
2. Mentorship
Leaders in the military guide service members through whatever they might have to face in battle and in life. We strive to provide leadership through our mentorship program for our Veterans and their families in Workforce Development, Holistic Mind-Body healing, life skills, self-advocacy, and resource location and access.
3. Family Healing
As a Veteran, our families experience the highs and lows of military service along with us, especially the traumas associated with war and sexual assault. Our Expressive Arts and Holistic Healing Programs provide alternative ways of healing our Veteran Families’ Mind, Body and Spirit to avoid leaving collateral damage behind, which can derail a successful transition into a healthy and productive civilian life.
4. Economic Stability
A major reason for homelessness and suicides among Veterans is attributed to their sense of economic stability. Unless a Veteran’s employment is fulfilling, rewarding and enjoyable, it may exacerbate issues with mental and physical health to a potential detrimental point of homelessness and/or suicide. We provide workforce development workshops and programs to teach Expressive Arts Industry skills that can lead to enjoyable employment or entrepreneurship.
A Safe Environment
Veteran Owned and Operated
501(c)(3) Non-Profit
EIN#81-5132573
Research shows Expressive Arts is effective at augmenting traditional trauma interventions because it provides creative outlets that enhance attention and awareness in productive, corrective ways. Learning Expressive Arts skills promotes healing while mitigating trauma potentials that commonly occur during the civilian reintegration process.
The CDS Expressive Arts Instruction Outreach Programs not only promote healing and teach self-advocacy, but also translate into positive economic changes for our members who gain valuable knowledge from our mentors.
Participants in the Operation Enjoyable Employment Program increase their capacities for career success within the Arts industry and help to eliminate barriers — such as the negative stigmas associated with mental health issues and disabilities – which will ensure their post-service success. Through creative expression and the development of vocational skills, life skills, along with Naturopathic philosophies and Trauma-Informed Care, our staff supports clients to lessen the negative impact from trauma-related reintegration issues. In addition, they will learn how to build networks, gain practical work experience, start new careers and earn extra income.
