LIFE RENEWED INTERNATIONAL INC
Changing the Way Veterans are Helped
Mission
MISSION
The mission of Life Renewed International is to provide programs that develop mental, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being.
The mission of Operation Not Forgotten (ONF) is to provide support for the well-being of veterans and their families through the use of peer-support Vet Life Communities and our Quality of Life Assessment (QOLA) instrument.
VISION
To offer a process that renews and restores the human spirit.
To transform lives and change communities through a better quality of life.
To translate our programs into other languages to serve people in other nations.
Currently we serve all of the United States.
Notes from the nonprofit
The beginning … We began with a vision of a better life for all people. Many people worked tirelessly as volunteers to make this happen. Operation Not Forgotten and Code Blue are programs of Life Renewed International, an all-volunteer non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization, and were created to help veterans, first responders, and their families achieve a better quality of life. Life Renewed was incorporated in 2007 and received tax-exempt status in 2010. The vision began with our Executive Director, Steve Schiffman …then others caught the vision and ran with it. We created materials to help people navigate through hard times. We came from many different backgrounds and disciplines to bring this vision to fruition. You can join our vision, and participate by offering what you have – your skills and talents, your heart.
Ruling year
2011
Executive Director
Steven Schiffman
Director of Programs
Janet Orman
Main address
6141 Shallow Wood Ln
Douglasville, GA 30135 USA
EIN
06-1816989
NTEE code
Community Health Systems (E21)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990-N.
Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Life Renewed International, through our programs, Operation Not Forgotten and Code Blue, serves veterans, first responders, and their families. Fact: One in three veterans and first responders are being diagnosed with serious Post Traumatic Stress symptoms − and less than 40% will receive help (PTSD Foundation of America). Fact: For veterans and first responders two out of three of their marriages are failing. Veteran homelessness is on the rise with 1/3 of our nation's homeless being veterans. Fact: Veterans and first responders are committing suicide in record numbers. Our veterans and first responders have put themselves in harm’s way and paid the ultimate price to ensure our safety and protect the freedoms we enjoy. These factors call for a need to support those serving our communities and our nation. When they suffer, we all are in danger. The health of those who serve as Veterans and First Responders is vital to the safety and success of our society and nation.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Operation Not Forgotten Vet Life Community
WHAT IS A VET LIFE COMMUNITY?
Operation Not Forgotten is a program of Life Renewed International, a non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization, and was created to help veterans and their families achieve a better quality of life. Operation Not Forgotten works through Vet Life Community, a network of local weekly peer-based support meetings - the buddy system, veterans helping veterans, families helping families face to face - offering the tools necessary to assess needs and determine what, if any, help veterans and their families may require as they transition back into civilian life. Our Quality of Life Assessment instrument provides an accurate, graphic picture of the veteran’s readjustment back into his family and offers our trained Life Coaches a blueprint to guide veterans’ success. Veterans also work in our Step By Step Twelve Step Journal, and apply new insights to the challenges they face as they rejoin society.
Another important aspect of Operation Not Forgotten Vet Life Communities is the renewed sense of brotherhood/sisterhood that veterans felt when they were in the military. Vet Life Community is a place where veterans can meet other veterans and form new friendships with people who really understand; people who have "been there”. Community members often get together for Sunday afternoon ball games, camping, televised sports, or even just a cup of coffee at a local coffee shop. Families can come together for backyard cookouts, or barbeques, hiking excursions, trips to the beach, or just sharing a meal … The important thing is there is someone there for veterans to reach out to; a buddy to "have our six” – a place to find support … a Vet Life Community.
Vet Life Community is designed to create a confidential, community-based meeting place. Meetings are free for all participating veterans and their loved ones.
Where we work
Awards
Veteran Project of the Year 2022
Home Depot
Affiliations & memberships
Highland Rivers Behavioral Health 2021
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsQuality Of Life Assessment (QOLA)
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Military personnel
Related Program
Operation Not Forgotten Vet Life Community
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
There are 19 modules that measure Physical Health, Mental/Emotional health, Life Experiences, Belief Systems, Support Systems and Health Behaviors. More Info: www.operationnotforgotten.com
Percent of Veterans with improved quality of life
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Military personnel
Related Program
Operation Not Forgotten Vet Life Community
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Participants take the Life Renewed Quality of Life Assessment. Initially, they are measured against a population norm; after that results are compared only with their own previous Assessment results
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
• Implement at least 25 new Vet Life Communities and Code Blue Communities for veterans and first responders in the United States. Using our Step by Step Journals along with regular peer-mentoring group meetings veterans, first responders, and their families will be restored mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. As an all-volunteer organization, we are also seeking to enlist more volunteers.
• Evaluate veterans and first responders participating in our programs every several months using our Quality of Life Assessment instrument. Our Quality Of Life Assessment (QOLA) Profile offers veterans, first responders, and their families eye-opening insight into their situations, motives and empowers them to move forward to secure a positive and fulfilling quality of life. The QOLA is not a psychological evaluation. It is an accurate measurement of how well you and your loved ones are meeting the challenges you face each day. It is a profile of your quality of life covering a wide variety of dynamics from everyday life to the most traumatic experiences. Our Life Coach Training is free. Using our M.A.P.S. Life Coaching Program the Life Coach uses the assessment profile to guide the veteran or family member in developing a Life Map, or plan, with specific goals and steps designed to build a successful life. The participant works to complete one goal at a time.
• Establish Vet Life Youth Community as a special outreach to children of veterans and first responders aged 13-17.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Expand our media plan to promote awareness of the program and resources using social media and public service announcements. Additionally, we receive applications for new Vet Life Communities regularly through our website: https://operationnotforgotten.com / and https://CodeBlueSupport.com
We will also continue to write grants, solicit supporters and do public service announcements (https://operationnotforgotten.com/basic-page/view-our-videos) We will also schedule events such as the American Legion Riders and our R.A.H. -(https://youtu.be/GbzP31PZDbI).
R.A.H (an acronym for Random Acts of Honor) is a unique way for a community to honor veterans or first responders. It is similar to a “flash mob”. This is what happens:
• The honoree and family members are invited to attend events at a restaurant or store, like Home Depot.
• During the event, an apparently random person stands and begins to sing “God Bless the USA”, others stand and join in until an entire choir is singing. Next, without pause, they begin to sing the Star-Spangled Banner.
• The singers, however, are not random at all. They have been practicing and the whole event is actually staged.
• The store manager comes forward at the conclusion of the singing to present the R.A.H. honoree gifts cards
Purpose of the R.A.H℠
• First, it is to honor those who have served our country or community and bring attention to veteran / first responder issues.
• Second, through the exposure on social media and YouTube, the partnering business, and also Operation Not Forgotten or Code Blue receive positive publicity. R.A.H will be video-taped and used for advertising.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Excellent. We have a team of professional volunteers who work diligently in many different capacities. See Team on our website (https://operationnotforgotten.com/basic-page/operation-not-forgotten-team)
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We have established Operation Not Forgotten / Vet Life Communities in Georgia, and have several more upcoming as soon as they complete their Life Coach Training:
- Highland Rivers Vet Life Community - Meetings beginning Thursday, May 10. For more information contact Richard Twist, CSP, Lead Peer Specialist, [email protected] / Office 706-253-1112 ext. 5212. Meetings located at 126 Enterprise Path, Hiram, GA 30141
News:
- https://www.dailycitizen.news/news/lifestyles/highland-rivers-health-operation-not-forgotten-helps-veterans-address-mental/article_d109d23a-d4ca-5b04-8213-29efd1cd47b5.html
G.I.Garage Veteran Community - Cumming, Georgia
GI Garage Veteran Community will begin on January 4, 2022 and will meet the first Tuesday of each month at 5205 Browns Bridge Road, Suite D, Cumming, GA. 30041. For more information call William Webb: 404-852-4760 , or email: [email protected]
Vet to Vet Community - Cartersville, GA.
Dr. Bob Poston
Cartersville Vet to Vet Community meets on Tuesday from 4:00-6:00 and on Thursday from 6:00-8:00 at 525 Martin Luther King Drive, Carterville, GA. The Program Director is Dr. Bob Poston. 678-986-1702 / Email: [email protected]
New Hope Veterans Community
New Hope Veterans Community will begin meeting on the 4th Thursday of every month from 6:30-8:00 starting in March at 1766 New Hope Road, Lawrenceville GA. 30045. Free dinner will be served at each meeting. For more information, email Tom at [email protected].
• Dallas, Georgia - Paulding County Vet Life Community- Meets each Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Bethany Christian Church Parsonage Annex Building, 3264 Villa Rica Highway, Dallas, GA. 30157 For more information: Steve Schiffman - [email protected] - 770-947-8606
News:
- https://www.thedallasnewera.com/community/53-operation-not-forgotten/2337-operation-not-forgotten-serves-paulding-county-military-veterans
- https://www.pauldingrotary.org/news-events/24-news-events/62-steve-schiffman-of-operation-not-forgotten /
- https://www.mdjonline.com/neighbor_newspapers/west_georgia/community/west-georgia-support-group-growing-helping-veterans-with-mental-health/article_1c2adb26-0ffa-11e8-b419-6736a3cb592e.html
• McDonough, Georgia - McDonough Vet Life Community /Henry County Veterans Support Community, 255 Racetrack Rd. McDonough, GA. 30252. For more information contact Bob Van Dunk (770)284-3306 /or email [email protected]
• Woodstock, Georgia - Cherokee Veterans Community - Meetings are every Thursday at 6:30 pm at First Baptist Church Woodstock, 11905 Hwy. 92, Woodstock Ga. 30188. For more information: David Snyder - [email protected] / https://www.cherokeeveteranscommunity.org/about-us
• See Also: https://www.facebook.com/cherokeevets/
o Meetings for Men Veterans: Building A, Rm. 140McDonough
o New Meetings for Women Veterans beginning in Nov.16
o New Meetings for Veteran Families beginning in Nov.16
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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LIFE RENEWED INTERNATIONAL INC
Board of directorsas of 02/16/2022
Steve Schiffman
Life Renewed / Operation Not Forgotten
Term: 2011 - 2022
Janet L Orman
Life Renewed/Operation Not Forgotten
Chris Pergantis
Accelerated Design
Joe Taylor
Founder Mt. Blanco Museum
Dr. Bob Poston
Vet to Vet
Tom Vanderhorst
Life Renewed / OperationNot Forgotten
Melanie Dallas
CEO Highland Rivers Behavioral Health
Dr. Shel Sharp
Private Practice Psychiatrist
Deborah Luper
Private Practice Psychologist
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 02/16/2022GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
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