Gary Sinise Foundation and Hope For The Warriors® Partner to Meet Needs of Military Families

Two Nonprofits Work Together to Strengthen Program Work to Support Families

LOS ANGELES, CA, May 1, 2014 – The Gary Sinise Foundation and Hope For The Warriors® announce the building of a renewed and growing partnership to meet the needs and challenges of today’s military families. Both nonprofits are dedicated to serving military members, veterans and their families and have already worked closely together for more than four years.  The new partnership expands the services, coordination and training needs in an effort to better meet the challenges faced by a veteran population that has been in combat for more than ten years.

The Gary Sinise Foundation, through their incredible outreach program work, is connected with military families in crisis each day.  With the new partnership, the foundation will connect with the Hope For The Warriors® clinical staff for assessment and support needs of those families.

The Clinical Health & Wellness Program, developed by Hope For The Warriors®, utilizes clinical care coordinators who work one-on-one with military families as they face financial, physical and/or psychological battles.  Clinical case management is led and reviewed by licensed social workers with in depth knowledge and experience with the military community and it’s culture.  Assessments will determine the next steps needed in providing resources, treatment, community building, and financial assistance.

“When it comes to military families, our Foundation is always searching for areas of need and new ways to address those needs,” said Judy Otter, Executive Director of the Gary Sinise Foundation. “Partnering with Hope For The Warriors® makes for a strong, far-reaching alliance. Together, we'll continue to make positive changes in the lives of our nation’s heroes and their loved ones."

In 2012, Hope For The Warriors® entered a partnership with the online Master of Social Work Program from the University of Southern California.  It was the first partnership of its kind, matching a top-ranked social work program with a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that specializes in meeting the needs of today’s active duty members and veterans.  Through the partnership , Hope For The Warriors® will provide the required supervision of an experienced master social worker to support clinical support services for the Gary Sinise Foundation.  In addition, both organizations will evaluate other opportunities for training and support.

“The Hope For The Warriors® clinical care team assist military families in crisis as well as address their long term needs and goals,” said Robin Kelleher, Hope For The Warriors® President.  “Collaborating with the Gary Sinise Foundation will strengthen program work within both organizations, benefiting military families across the country.”

About the Gary Sinise Foundation:

Actor/humanitarian Gary Sinise has been actively and tirelessly supporting the troops for over thirty years.  Among his numerous film and television roles, it was his portrayal of Lt. Dan Taylor in the landmark film Forrest Gump which formed an enduring connection with servicemen and women throughout the military community.  After several USO handshake tours in 2003, Sinise formed the “Lt. Dan Band” and began entertaining troops serving at home and abroad. Performing pop hits to classic rock staples, the 12-member cover band has played for over half-a-million troops and their families.

In 2011 he launched the Gary Sinise Foundation to honor its defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen and build communities. These include its R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence and Supporting Empowerment), whose flagship initiative is a custom Smart Home building project for severely wounded veterans.  Both through its own efforts and through its Building for America’s Bravest partner program with Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Gary Sinise Foundation is constructing these one-of-a-kind homes all across the country, each for a wounded hero, their caregivers and family. Other programs include Relief & Resiliency Outreach, INSPIRATION to ACTION, Invincible Spirit Festivals, Serving Heroes and Arts & Entertainment Outreach.

The Gary Sinise Foundation (Federal Tax ID 80-0587086) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity as defined in sections 509(A)(1) and 170(B)(1)(A)(VI) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Combined Federal Campaign, CFC #27963.  For more information, please visit www.garysinisefoundation.org.

About Hope For The Warriors®:

The mission of Hope For The Warriors® (www.hopeforthewarriors.org) is to enhance the quality of life for post-9/11 service members, their families, and families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty.  Hope For The Warriors® is dedicated to restoring a sense of self, restoring the family unit, and restoring hope for our service members and our military families.

Hope For The Warriors® has earned a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator

(www.charitynavigator.org) for three consecutive years.  Charity Navigator is an independent organization that evaluates fiscal responsibility and accountability of nonprofits.

Hope For The Warriors® (Federal Tax ID 20-5182295) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity as defined in sections 509(A)(1) and 170(B)(1)(A)(VI) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Combined Federal Campaign, CFC #27800.