In this series, we highlight those working in the Veteran and Military communities to help make reintegration and life a little better for everyone. We wanted to ask some of the common questions about how they got to where they are and how they inspire others to do more.
Interviewer: Stacey Ebert, Veteran Support Network
Organization: Pathfinder Labs
Title: Community Partner Specialist
Why Veterans: As a veteran myself I have first hand experience with the integration process, or like for many of us, lack of a process. I spent the first 8 years post military without any understanding of the process in terms of services or benefits. Aside from grasping the GI Bill/Post 9/11 bill (but even that process was not easy or smooth), I was easily suckered into school loans that were unnecessary. It wasn’t until 2013 that I first went to the VA for an emergency. I was vaguely aware of the VA, but really had no idea what it did or how it worked. Once I was in the VA system, it still took years before I was made aware of my disability eligibility. Around the same time, I had booked a commercial job (I’m an actress) for a military phone company. During this project I met some other veterans who introduced me to a few performing arts organizations in NYC that are particularly for veterans. I became more integrated with this community and began to learn about more and more resources available to me. Due to my connection to this artistic community, health struggles including a TBI & PTSD diagnosis, I started to feel more and more connected to veterans. I had been advocating for myself for years, but began to feel that my experience can help others in their own experiences.
What got you interested in the organization? Through some shared experiences in the veteran artistic community, for years, I have known Elana Duffy. When I was looking for work I reached out to my community and Elana stepped up to help me. This is when I became aware of Pathfinder and realized it is the solution to so many problems our community faces. I knew instantly I wanted to be a part of the organization. The amount of help Elana has given me personally, is a testament to what her company can do for the community as a whole. I have been able to get tremendous help for my health issues, PTSD, and disability claim by finding resources through Pathfinder. I’m excited to be a part of a team that can provide to others the same kind of help that I’ve been able find.
What’s your favorite thing about working in this field? I'm so glad that I'm able to be a part of helping others overcome stress, anxiety, and distress. We know that the right resources can make the difference. It is very rewarding to know that we can provide a platform to help improve the lives – it doesn’t get better than that.
How has community service impacted your life? My involvement in community service has tremendously impacted my life. As mentioned above, I have been able to get into programs that have helped me in life changing ways. Without these resources, I would never have gotten any of the help I needed. For many years following my service, I felt like I was swimming in the deep end alone, but once I started meeting others in my community, such as Elana, my life began to take on a new meaning. Having a creative community in NY has thoroughly enriched my life. Now that I'm using Pathfinder to find resources that fit my needs, that community has expanded even more.
Why should veterans and families use these services? Finding the right resources can have a life changing impact. Having a platform that allows us to do that is invaluable. Having a platform created by a veteran that values anonymity, fairness, and improvement sets us apart. Giving the veterans and their families the ability to improve these services through their reviews helps us all find the services that will best fit our needs.
What, in your opinion, is the most important thing soon-to-be Veterans and their families should to consider before leaving military service? Health and wellness. Keeping all records, finding an organization to help assist disability/compensation claims, and, of course, signing up for Pathfinder. This way, going forward, they will be ready to search for all the services and programs they may need assistance with moving, jobs, health, and education. In my experience the military will not give you a manual when leaving, but finding the right organizations for your needs may just be a solution to that problem.
Why this person: Bridget is Pathfinder's Community Partnership Specialist. With a degree in business management and marketing, and a thriving passion for the arts, Bridget connects people, helps share our story, and uses her skills to do good in the world. You can often find her volunteering at a local rescue sharing her heart with animals who need that extra love.