Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurel Goodroe, Mike Nasche and Ryan Avila.
Laurel, Mike, and Ryan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Impact A Hero was founded 15 years ago in the effort to help men and women returning home from the “War on Terror” with serious physical and emotional wounds. Over our history, Impact A Hero has helped over 3,000 veterans and their families totaling more than $4.5 million in support.
The focus of Impact A Hero is to fund and facilitate the personal and professional growth of combat veterans and their caregivers; we accomplish this by removing barriers to their growth and providing opportunities for their progress.
At Impact A Hero, we believe that Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) can be overcome through Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG), and it is our mission to empower veterans with the skills and resources they need to do just that. Many times, financial issues add to a veterans’ struggles with post-traumatic stress. Veterans suffering from PTS are not struggling alone, their loved ones often feel the effects of their symptoms, but they all can benefit from our PTG training, including our financial fitness courses, Veterans Voice Toastmasters, PTG Library and Operation Impact.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been an easy road. As a nonprofit, we rely on contributions from the community in order to be able to provide services and programs to the veterans and their families. If the economy is strong, donations are as well. If the economy is struggling, sometimes the organization does too. When the recession hit, we were hit hard as a number of our corporate partners had to make cuts in their budgets, in some cases their philanthropic giving is what got cut.
Please tell us about Impact A Hero.
Impact A Hero serves a community that is comprised predominantly of post 9/11 veterans most of whom have served in Iraq and/or Afghanistan. Some of these veterans are severely wounded, many of them are disabled and most have or are still suffering with Post-Traumatic Stress.
Although we are a national organization and have served veterans coast to coast, the vast majority of those we serve live here in the greater Houston area. This is important to us because we believe we can make an even greater impact with those with whom we are able to build a strong and lasting relationship.
A high percentage of military marriages end in divorce. The probability of divorce is even higher when the service member suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress. This is why it is important for us to serve not only the veteran but their families as well. Many of our programs are designed to include spouses, caregivers, and children.
The below are some of the programs and services we provide.
Financial Fitness Courses – Due to the hardships and challenges that transitioning service members and the veteran community face, Impact A Hero provides both resources and opportunities for veterans and their families in the form of robust and established financial fitness courses. We hold no less than six courses a year utilizing the 47 Principals of Financial Fitness kit. In the course we focus on budgeting, reducing debit and goal setting.
Veterans Voice Toastmasters – The goal of Veterans’ Voice is to help veterans tell their story in a way that is inspiring and encouraging to others. Attendees are able to expand their network, become a better speakers and listeners, improve their leadership skills and learn to think on their feet all in a supportive environment.
PTG Library – As part of our Post-Traumatic Growth Program, we have created a library for use by our military, veterans, veteran families and supporters. We have over 300 books with topics ranging from leadership and mentoring to finances and relationships. These books are all free to borrow or to keep and then pass on to fellow veterans.
Operation Impact – Operation Impact is a retreat where we bring veterans and their spouses for three days of personal growth. Each day has a blend of learning sessions, high-ropes and low-ropes, and team building. It is held at a fully ADA compliant camp to allow veterans of all ranges of disabilities the opportunity to participate in all aspects of the retreat.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
We would not be the organization we are today without the guidance and leadership from our founders and all those who have served and are currently serving on our Board of Directors.
This group of individuals is comprised of veterans, Gold Star Family members and patriots who have a passion for helping veterans in our community.
Donations and volunteers are welcome.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.impactahero.org
- Phone: 281-430-4344
- Email: info@impactahero.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/impactahero
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/impactahero
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/impactahero
- Other: http://bit.ly/IAHyoutube
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
