Academy of United States Veterans Foundation

The organization's main objective is to create a better understanding of the military community within the American public. After almost two decades of war the veterans community must be reintroduced to our society across the board. Therefore, AUSV aims to create events, programs and projects that bring a sense of unity and brotherhood. The Veterans Awards is designed to shine a light on the importance of public service and provides an accountability platform through recognition for organizations, programs and projects that serve the military community. With a relentless focus on the future, we strive to have our veterans and other powerful communities work together to promote both moral righteousness and social impact. We build sustainable bridges of trust, unity, and respect between our service members and other influential communities through advocacy, community relations and media outreach. Our newsworthy events and projects open the doors for shared opportunities and a shared sense of community. While massive numbers of service members return home with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injuries, only a small number of them are seeking mental health care due to the stigma surrounding such care. Separation from service and the need to adapt to new societal norms has lead returning service members to experience great difficulties in their newly founded lives. Veterans find meaning in community, and their sense of identity is often rediscovered in their sharing of memories and stories with their fellow service members. They find comfort in their sense of "self" and in knowing that they too have a place in their new society. We at AUSV believe that collaborative communities can be a vehicle to bring real opportunities for society. By encouraging creativity in this cooperative environment, we hope to create a new narrative for our veterans and for all Americans. We believe that community unity is a tribute to the strength and preference of people for inclusion and partnership over division and alienation.