Who Am I Without the Uniform?
There’saparticularkindofquietthatcomesafterservice.Notthepeaceandcalmpeoplemight expect,butthequietthatfollowstheendofsomethingbig.Thequietthatmakesyoulook aroundandwonder,nowwhat?
FormanyVeterans,thisquestionisn’thypothetical.It’sdeeplypersonal.Whentheuniform comesoff,andthestructureofmilitarylifefades,you’releftwithspacethat’snotalwayseasyto fill.Somefillitwithfamily,whileothersfillitwithworkorserviceinnewways.Butformany,there’s alingeringsenseofsomethingmissing.Andthat’ssomethingweneedtotalkaboutmoreoften. TheTransitionIsReal,andHard
Eachyear,roughly200,000servicemembersseparatefromtheU.S.militaryandstepintocivilian life.Someleavewithaplanandsupport,othersstepoutwithuncertaintyandquestions.For post-9/11Veterans,about44percentsaidtheyhaddifficultyreadjustingtocivilianlife,according toareportbythePewResearchCenter.Thereasonsvary.Somestruggledtofindstablework. Othersmissedthecamaraderie.Manyfacedthelastingeffectsofphysicaloremotionaltrauma. Butatthecoreofit,alotofVeteranswerewrestlingwithsomethingmorechallengingtoname,a lossofidentity.
LettingGooftheRole,NotthePerson
Inthemilitary,yourroleisclearYouknowwheretobe,whatisexpected,andwhohasyourback ThereisorderThereisapurposeWhenthatends,theworldopensupinwaysthatareboth freeinganddisorienting.OneVeterandescribeditlikethis:“Ihadanameandapurposeevery singleday.Outhere,nooneknowswhatI’vedoneorwhatI’vecarried.I’mproud,butIalsofeel invisible.”Thatsenseofinvisibilitycanhithard.Forsome,itstartsafterretirement.Forothers,it comesaftertheirfirstjobpost-servicedoesn’tpanout.Itcanhappenslowlyorallatonce.How dowedealwiththisformofloss?Recognizethatyou’restillthesamepersonwhoworethe uniform,justheadingdownadifferentpathnow.
YouAreNotAloneinThis
TheBobWoodruffFoundation,whichfocusesonsupportingpost-9/11Veterans,hasstudiedthis transitioncloselyTheirresearchshowsthatmanyVeteransfeelunpreparedfortheemotional andsocialshiftthatcomesaftermilitarylifeWhilejobtrainingandhousingareessential,they’re onlypartofthepuzzle.AlargenumberofVeteransreportfeelingdisconnected,unsureofwhere theybelong,anduncertainaboutwhotheyarewithouttheirmilitaryrole. Andit’snotjustamatteroftime.Thedisconnectedfeelingorasenseofnotbelonginganymore canlastforyears,especiallywhenitremainsunspokenduetoprideorafalsesenseof appropriatebehavior.Thisiswhycommunityandconnectionaresovitaltoyourtransition.
AtProjectNewHope,WeWalkBesideYou
Wedon’tpretendtohavealltheanswers.WhatwedohaveisasafespaceforVeteranstosort throughthepieces,rediscovertheirpurpose,andreconnectwiththemselves. Ourretreats,events,andCoffeeSocialsaremorethanactivities.Theyareopportunitiestoshow upwithouthavingtoperformTheyarebuiltaroundauthenticexperiences,realhealing,andreal peoplewhounderstandwhatit’sliketobeinbetweenchaptersWhetheryou’reexploringwho youarebeyondyourrankortryingtorebuildasenseofdirection,theseprogramsgiveroomto breathe.Wealsooffertrauma-informedhealingthroughTheCortinaMethod,aswellas practicalresourceslikeSully’sFood&BabyPantry,becausehealingoftenstartswithstability.
Who Am I Without the Uniform?
WhatDoesPurposeLookLikeNow?
Let’sbeclear,purposedoesn’thavetolooklikeacareer.Itdoesn’tneedtocomewithatitleor paycheck.Sometimesitshowsupinthewayyousupportyourneighbors,howyoushowupfor yourfamily,orhowyouvolunteerinyourcommunity.
We’veseenVeteransbecomementors,startgardens,leadfooddrives,runcoffeesocials,or simplybetheonewhopicksupthephonewhenanotherVetisstruggling.Theseactsaren’t small.Theyarewhatkeepusgoing.
Andforsome,purposemaylooklikerest.Slowingdownafteryearsofserviceisnotasignof laziness.It’srestoration.You’vedonemorethanenoughtoearnthat.
You’reStillinThere
Ifyou’vebeenfeelingdisconnectedlately,hereareafewgentlereminders: Yourworthwasnevertiedtoyourrank Youdon’tneedtobe“on”allthetime. Youarenotbroken,evenifyoufeellost. Youstillhavemoretogive,evenifitlooksdifferentnow.
Onewaytoreconnectwithyourselfisbyreflecting.Trywritingdownyourthoughts,ortalkwith someoneyoutrustJoinusforaCoffeeSocial,whereyoucansitwithpeoplewho’vewalkedthe samepath.Nopressure,noperformance-justaplacetobereal.
ThisChapterCountsToo
Weoftentalkaboutlegacyasifit’ssomethingalreadywritten.ButforVeterans,thestorydoesn’t endwhentheuniformcomesoff.Itjustshifts.Youmaynothaveaclearansweryettothe question,‘WhoamIwithouttheuniform?’That’sOK.It’saquestionworthasking,andit’soneyou don’thavetoansweralone.
AtProjectNewHope,webelieveinthevalueofeverychapter.We’renothereto“fix”you.We’re heretowalkbesideyouasyoufigureoutwhat’snext,inyourownwayandatyourownpace. Takethenextstep,whateverthatmaylooklikeforyou.You’vecarriedmorethanmost,andyou arestillsomeonewithstrength,dignity,andpurpose.
Andifnoonehassaiditlately,letusbetheonestosayitnow:thankyouforyourservice,and welcomehome.
Operation Jeepers Christmas
ProjectNewHopeishonoredtosupportMilitaryandVeteran familiesthroughOperationJeepersChristmas,ourannual adopt-a-familyprogramthatbringsholidayjoytochildren.
ForFamilies
RegistrationisnowopenforMilitaryandVeteranfamilies withchildrenuptoage17.Prioritywillbegiventofamilies whoarenewtotheprogram.Proofofserviceandchildren’s agesisrequired.Onceregistered,familieswillbeconnected withsponsorswhowillprovidegiftsfromeachchild’swish list.GiftswillbeavailableforpickupatourWorcester,MAor Westfield,MAlocations
ForSponsors
Byregisteringasasponsor,youcanmaketheholidays brighterforchildrenofthosewhoserve Sponsorswillbe matchedwithafamily’swishlistandcanensuregiftsare readyforpickupintimeforChristmas.Yourgenerosityhelps childrenexperiencethejoyoftheseason,evenwhentheir lovedonesmaybeawayfromhome.
TURKEYS FOR VETS
ProjectNewHopeInc.iscollecting$20supermarketgiftcards (PriceChopper/Market32,Stop&Shop,BigY,Shaw’s,Walmart,etc.) toprovideeachclientofSully’sVeteransFoodPantrywiththeability toselectthemeatoftheirchoice turkey,ham,fish,orother accommodatingculturalpreferencesanddietaryneeds.
WewillalsoprovidetraditionalThanksgivingfixings stuffing,potatoes,vegetables,cranberrysauce,andmore soeveryVeteranhouseholdcanenjoyacompleteholidaymeal.
October is Mental Health Screening Month
OctoberisNationalDepressionandMentalHealthScreeningMonth,atimeto remindourVeterancommunitythatnooneisalone.Mentalhealthchallengescan affectanyone,regardlessofrank,branch,orthenumberofyearssinceleaving service.Caringformentalwell-beingisjustasimportantascaringforphysical health.
TheImportanceofMentalHealthCheck-Ins
Veterans,youandyourbrothersandsistersinarmssilentlycarrytheweightof yourservice,whetherfromcombatstress,militarysexualtrauma,moralinjury,or thechallengesoftransitioningtocivilianlife.Withoutsupportandsomeoneto sharetheseburdens,yourstrugglescanleadtodepression,anxiety,substance use,orevensuicide.
AccordingtotheDepartmentofVeteransAffairs,wecontinuetolosefartoomany Veteranseachdaytosuicide.Theencouragingnewsisthathelpisavailableand effective.Earlyscreeningandtimelytreatmentsavelives.
HowWeCanAllMakeaDifference
ReachOut:Aphonecall,text,orcoffeechatcaneasetheisolationaVeteran maybeexperiencing.
ListenWithoutJudgment:Sometimes,themostpowerfulsupportissimply beingpresentandhearingsomeone’sstory.
EncourageProfessionalHelp:ShareresourcessuchastheVA,VetCenters,or ProjectNewHoperetreats,whereVeteransandfamiliesfindstrengthandhope.
KeyResources
988+Press1:VeteransCrisisLine,aconfidentialandavailable24/7service. VAMentalHealthServices:https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov
ProjectNewHopeInc.:ProgramsandretreatsthathelpVeterans,Service Members,andFirstRespondersrebuildtheirliveswithpeersupportand practicaltools.Learnmoreathttps://www.projectnewhopema.org.
AMessageofHope
Ifyouarestruggling,knowthatthereisnoshameinseekinghelp.Reachingoutisa signofstrength.Asacommunity,wecansavelivesandensurethateveryVeteran feelsvalued,supported,andneverforgotten.
Mark Your Calendar: October 2025
Oct.3–VeteransFarmersMarket,WorcesterVAClinic,403BelmontSt,Worcester,MA01604,11:00 am–1:00pm
Oct.4–Sully’sPantryPick-up,WorcesterSully’sPantry,70JamesStreet,Suite129A,Worcester,MA 01603
Oct.6–ChairMassagewithDelaney,WorcesterSully’sPantry,70JamesStreet,Suite129A, Worcester,MA01603,5:00pm–7:00pm,byappointment(774)243-7859
Oct.11–VAClaimsAssistance,WorcesterSully’sPantry,70JamesStreet,Suite129A,Worcester, MA01603
Oct.12-Friends&FamilyGetTogether,26 MEB,26 SIG,182MCAS,VernonHillAm.LegionPost 435,267ProvidenceStreet,Worcester,MA01607,1:00pm-4:00pm
Oct.14–CoffeeSocial Worcester,WorcesterSully’sPantry,70JamesStreet,Suite129A, Worcester,MA01603,8:30am–10:30am
Oct.16–CoffeeSocial Westfield,1029NorthRoad,Rt202,Westfield,MA01085,9:00am–10:30 am
Oct.17–VeteransFarmersMarket,WorcesterVAClinic,403BelmontSt,Worcester,MA01604,11:00 am–1:00pm
Oct.18–Sully’sPantryPick-up,WorcesterSully’sPantry,70JamesStreet,Suite129A,Worcester, MA01603
Oct.21–CoffeeSocial—Worcester,WorcesterSully’sPantry,70JamesStreet,Suite129A, Worcester,MA01603,8:30am–10:30am
Oct.21-OperationVitality:Protein,Calories&Fiber,WorcesterSully’sPantry,70JamesStreet, Suite129A,Worcester,MA.9:30am
Oct.22–Reflexology,WorcesterSully’sPantry,70JamesStreet,Suite129A,Worcester,MA01603, 6:00pm–8:00pm,byappointment(774)243-7859
Oct.25-TrunkorTreat,VernonHillAmericanLegionPost435,267ProvidenceStreet,Worcester, MA01607,Kids5:00-7:00pm,Adults8:00-11:00pm.
Oct.28–CoffeeSocial—Worcester,WorcesterSully’sPantry,70JamesStreet,Suite129A, Worcester,MA01603,8:30am–10:30am
Oct.31–VeteransFarmersMarket,WorcesterVAClinic,403BelmontSt,Worcester,MA01604,11:00 am–1:00pm
Worcester Spotlights
Veteran
Jim Howard
JimHowardbeganhisservicein1952,joiningtheNaval Reserveatage17beforemovingintoactivedutyduring theKoreanWarHelaterservedinGuam,theUSCoast Guard,andtheArmyReserves,completingnearlytwo decadesinuniformacrossmultiplebranches.Afterhis militarycareer,JimremainedactiveintheVeteran community,servingasCommanderofAmericanLegion Post391inCharltonin1976andagainin2018.Serviceruns deepinhisfamily,withthreeofhissiblingsalsoserving, includingtwobrotherswhowereWWIIVeterans.
Volunteer
Rich Waddell
RichbeganvolunteeringwithPNHthissummer andhasquicklybecomesomeonewecancount onatamoment’snotice.Heproudlyservedinthe U.S.AirForcefrom1984to1988.Today,Rich continueshisservicebygivingbacktothe Veterancommunity,alwaysreadytolendahand whereitisneededmost
Westfield Spotlight
Veteran Norman Jones
NormanJonesservedhiscountryacrossthreebranches: theArmy,AirForce,andNationalGuard.From1946to 1987,hiscareertookhimtoKorea,Turkey,andAmarillo, whereheworkedasaCombatEngineer.Hismorethan fourdecadesofservicereflectdeepdedicationand resilience.Norman’sstorystandsasapowerfulreminder ofthemanypathsofmilitaryservice.
Volunteer Doris Theroux
DorisTherouxjoinedProjectNewHopeinJanuary2025 andhasbeenasteadypresenceeveryThursday, helpingstockshelvesandassistclients Thismonth,she coordinatedwiththeHolyokeSeniorCentertodeliver personalcareitemsfromourWestfieldlocationtotheir seniors.Dorisalwaysarriveswithasmileandapositive attitude,oftensharingcreativerecipesinspiredbythe produceandgoodsweprovide.Herdedicationand kindnessbrightenthedayforeveryoneshemeets
Wearelookingforstrong,reliablevolunteerstohelpwith theheavyliftingthatkeepsourpantriesrunning,from loadingandunloadingtruckstostockingsupplies.Your hands-onsupportmakesitpossibleforVeteransandtheir familiestoreceivetheresourcestheyneed.
September Highlights
Septemberwasamonthfullofaction,connection,andserviceatProjectNewHope. Everywherewewent,ourmissionwasclear:tostandwithVeterans,families,andthe communitiesthatsupportthem.
WebeganbycontinuingourHydrateOurHeroesinitiative,deliveringtruckloadsofsports drinks,water,andsnackstolocalpoliceandfiredepartmentsinGrafton,Millbury,Auburn,and Worcester.Thesevisitsweremorethandrop-offs;theywerereminderstoourfirstresponders thattheirsacrificesareseenandvalued.
Ourcommitmenttofoodsecuritywasalsoattheforefrontthismonth.Withthegenerous supportofpartnerslikeGoyaFoodsandtheBostonAreaGleaners,wehostedVeterans’ FarmersMarketsattheWorcesterVAClinicanddistributedthousandsofpoundsofproduce andnon-perishablesthroughSully’sVeteransFoodPantry Volunteersandstaffrolleduptheir sleevestosort,stock,andevensharesurpluswithcommunityorganizationssuchasPernet FamilyHealthServiceandClearPathforVeteransNewEngland.Together,wemadesureno donationwenttowasteandnoVeteranwenthungry.
Connectionwasanotherpowerfultheme.WeeklyVeteransCoffeeSocialsatourWorcester office,andmonthlygatheringsinWestfield,createdspaceforcamaraderie,laughter,and healingacrossgenerationsofservice.WewerealsohonoredtojointheSt.FrancisVeterans’ Café,wherewesharedstoriesandsmileswithtworemarkableWorldWarIIVeterans,oneof them100yearsyoung.ThesemomentsremindusthatnoVeteranisforgotten,nomattertheir ageorcircumstance.
Outreachremainedstrongthroughouttheregion.FromTheBigE’sMilitaryAppreciationDayto theSpringfieldVetCenterCookout,fromIndianRanch’ssummerconcertseriestoresource fairsatFitchburgStateUniversity,WestoverARB,andAssumptionCollege,ourteam connectedwithhundredsofVeterans,ServiceMembers,andfamilies.Eacheventgaveusthe chancetoshareourprograms,offerresources,andlistentothestoriesthatshapeour community
Finally,Septembercalledustopauseandhonor.WemarkedPOW/MIARecognitionDay,the anniversaryofSeptember11,andthebirthdayoftheU.S.AirForcewithsolemngratitudeand renewedcommitment.Theseobservancesreminduswhywedowhatwedo:because freedomisnotfree,andbecausethosewhoserveddeservetoberemembered,supported, andcelebrated.
Septemberwasabusymonth,butmorethanthat,itwasamonthofimpact.Withyourhelp, wecontinuetoliveoutourpromise:WhereVeteransRebuildwithHonor.
Gratitude in Action
GratefulforOurDonorsandSponsors
ThisSeptember,ProjectNewHopewasremindedonceagainoftheincrediblegenerositythat sustainsourmission.Everygift,everyactofkindness,andeverypartnershiphelpedusserve Veteransandtheirfamilieswithdignityandcare.
TheAuburnAngelssetthetoneforthemonthwitharemarkabledeliveryoffourcarloadsof non-perishablefoodtoSully’sVeteransFoodPantry.Theirquietgenerosity,offeredwithout expectationofrecognition,embodiedthetruespiritof“VetstakingcareofVets.”GoyaFoods alsosteppedforwardwithamajordonationofpantrystaples,ensuringourshelvesstayed stockedandfamilieshadaccesstonourishingmeals.
Corporatepartnerscontinuedtoplayavitalrole.Walmartnotonlycontributed$2,000to supportourprograms,buttheiremployeesalsojoinedusinthepantry,lendingtheirtimeand energytoserveover140Veteransandfamilies.NationalGridprovidedsupportraisedthrough theirowncreativefundraisingefforts,deliveringtheirgiftinpersonasatestamenttotheir commitment.AlliedFlooring&Paint,throughtheirannualcharitygolftournament,onceagain chosePNHasabeneficiary,helpingusreachmorefamiliesinneed.
WewerealsoproudtostandalongsidetheHighlandStreetFoundationaspartoftheir HonoringHeroes2025initiativeandgratefultoSamuelAdamsforassembling200 ThanksgivingbagsthatwillbringcomforttoVeteranhouseholdsthisholidayseason.Local schoolsandmediaoutlets,includingLeicesterPublicSchools,theSpencerNewLeader,and FAMILYMagazine,amplifiedourworkthroughstoriesandfeatures,extendingourreachtoeven moresupporters.
Thesegiftsoftime,resources,andrecognitionremindusthatwearenotaloneinthismission. Whenourcommunitycomestogether whetherthroughapantrydonation,acorporate partnership,orasimplewordofencouragement wecreateanetworkofcarethatensures noVeteranisforgotten.Toeverydonor,sponsor,andfriendwhostoodwithusthismonth,we offerourdeepestthanks.
TCM Military & First Responders Retreat
Veterans,ActiveDutyMilitary,andFirstResponders areinvitedtotakeatransformativesteptoward healingandresiliencewithworkshopsand therapiesdesignedtoresolvetrauma,calmthe mind,andregainjoy.Youanswerthecallfor Americans24hoursaday.Thisretreatisdesigned toprovideasafe,supportive,andhealing environment
EveryonewhoattendswillbenefitfromTheCortina Method(TCM),ledbyTraumaResolutionExpert MichaelCortinaandhisteam.TCMhelpsresolve thetraumathatleadstoPTS,guilt,anger,fear, physicalpain,orlimitingbeliefs.Itoffersa neuroscience-basedsolutionforhealingwithout requiringparticipantstoreliveanytraumatic experiences.
Enjoyequinetherapy,holisticyoga,Reiki,and reflexology,andotherholisticwellnesspractices. LearnmoreaboutMichaelCortinaandTheCortina Methodathiswebsitehttps://michaelcortina.com/.
SpaceisLimited:Onlytenspotsareavailable.Participantsareresponsibleforarrangingtheirown transportationtotheretreatlocation.
Afteryousubmityourapplication,aProjectNewHopeteammemberwillcontactyouto completeaphoneinterview,whichisrequiredtoconfirmattendance.Pertheinstructionsduring thephoneinterview,youwillneedtosubmitacopyofyouremployeridentificationcard,military IDorDD214
Lodging,meals,andactivitiesareallprovidedatnocosttoparticipantsThereisa$50dollar registrationfeethatisrefundedoneweekafterthecompletionoftheretreat.Youmustarrange yourowntransportationtoandfromWestfield,MA.
PleasesendquestionstoSueatsmwilder@projectnewhopema.orgorcall(508)762-9738.
PriorityEnrollment:
FirstResponders/VeteransorCurrentMilitarywhohavenotattendedaProjectNewHope retreatwillreceivepriorityconsideration.
Joinusintakingthissteptowardhealing,resilience, andrediscoveringjoyinlife.
StartDate:Thursday,November6,2025
EndDate:Sunday,November10,2025