Veteran's stories making a difference in our schools and in our community

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The Veterans Education Project (VEP)

Founded by Vietnam veterans in 1982, trains and supports veterans and military family members to serve Western Massachusetts schools and communities by sharing their personal stories of wartime experiences. Our speakers de-glorify the popular movie and video game images of war and help young people to think critically about the experiences and effects of war. We work with local veterans ranging from WWII to Iraq and Afghanistan, training them to speak in middle and high school classes, as well as in local colleges and at public community events.

Working as volunteers through VEP, veterans provide more than 150 hours of programming throughout the Pioneer Valley every year. Our free programs in area schools have earned citations from the Congressional Black Caucus of the U.S. Congress and the National Council on Crime and Delinquency. VEP's volunteer veterans earned the 2009 Community Enrichment Award from the Hampshire County Paragon Partnership, a consortium of organizations including local chapters of the United Way and the Red Cross, and the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

"There is a huge disconnect between the American public and the war in Iraq… It is so important for our students to hear the voices and perspectives of veterans who served there. The feedback on your veteran speakers has been overwhelming positive."
A high school teacher comments on stories shared by Iraq veterans at a VEP Veterans Day assembly at his school.

"When these brave veterans from the VEP enter the classroom and share their innermost experiences, firsthand, the students are changed forever. These veterans who speak are not only healing themselves with their service, but also healing the community through their storytelling."
A high school teacher reflects on the VEP veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, WW2 and other eras and wars who have shared stories in her English classes.

New Programs to Meet Evolving Community Needs

VEP's main mission is to help veterans volunteer their time to share their stories and to provide a service for their community. However, in response to community needs arising since 9/11, VEP has organized and collaborated on a variety of events and on-going programs that assist veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and their families and educate the public. Our efforts include:

• Organizing and speaking at workshops and conferences for those training to assist veterans returning from war and their families These professionals have included physicians, social workers and other therapists, nurses, "first responders" (EMTs, police officers, etc.), and clergy members. At these events, VEP-trained veterans and military family members share their stories and answer questions.
  "Whenever I'm speaking at an event that includes speakers like that, I find myself feeling irrelevant by the time they are done. The conference was really well designed and was the best I've been to."
  A V.A. psychiatrist who co-presented with VEP veterans at a conference for mental health and medical professionals.



• A support group for local military family members, founded in January, 2007, to address some of the isolation and fear local military families were facing, Military Families Connect meets twice a month in Amherst, Massachusetts. The peer-led MFC group is intended to provide a safe and politically neutral environment to share the day to day stresses, challenges and rewards of having a loved one who is serving or has recently served in the U.S. military.
  "It's just nice to be able to sit down and talk to someone going through the same day to day emotions as you are."
  Group member whose three sons have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.



• Collaborations with local institutions and national organizations that reach out to and assist those currently returning from war and their families VEP has co-sponsored and helped to organize a variety of projects and events with colleges, churches, synagogues, other veterans organizations, state and V.A. programs and humanitarian organizations.
  "The better we understand our veterans, hear their stories and educate ourselves on the issues, the better we can support them and their families."
  Member of a local congregation who helped VEP plan a year-long series of public events and workshops at her church.

An updated version of our website is under construction. For more information on VEP's programs, to learn about volunteer and training opportunities or to arrange for a VEP presentation in a Western Massachusetts school or public forum, email us at vep@crocker.com. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 416, Amherst, MA 01004

P.O. Box 416, Amherst, MA 01004         vep@crocker.com