Psych 190
Dr. Elena Klaw
 Community
service and you
 Vets and community service
 The Mission Continues
 Satisfaction findings
 Effects
 What now?
 What
role has community service played
in your life?
 What
unique strengths do veterans bring
to community leadership roles?
 How
might veterans benefit from
community (civic) involvement ?
The Mission Continues is a transition program for post9/11 vets that aims to leverage military experience,
leadership skills, and service orientation.

The Mission Continues Fellowship Program provides
veterans stipends to serve as volunteers at nonprofit
organizations for a period of six months. It is a
nonprofit organization that challenges post-9/11
veterans to continue to serve their country and
communities after their military service has ended.

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Participants serve as a volunteer at a nonprofit
organization in their local community for 14-28
weeks, typically at social service, youth, or
veteran’s organizations.
Mission Continues Fellows were all United States
military veterans, discharged after September
11, 2001, and reported having a serviceconnected disability.
Most were mostly younger than 35 (67%),
Caucasian (67%), and male (83%).
95% of fellows reported high levels of
satisfaction with providing services to the
community and learning about their
organization.
 Although slightly more than 20% of Fellows
reported that participating in the Program was
stressful, 100% reported that it was a worthwhile
experience.
 Fellows reported that the fellowship helped them
to improve their chances of finding a job (82%),
improve their performance on the job (91%),
improve their chances of getting a promotion
(82%), and make a career change (77%).

Personal growth through civic service

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82% of participants reported that the Program exposed
them to new ideas and ways of seeing the world.
64% reexamined their beliefs about the “real” world.
46% did things they never thought they could do.
64% changed some of their beliefs and attitudes.
Self-truths: Values and beliefs

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81% feel that they have had a good influence on the
lives of many people.
Nearly all program participants report that others
would say they have made a contribution to society.
 As
a result of completing the Mission
Continues Fellowship Program, 100% of
Fellows reported that they will probably
or definitely stay involved in volunteer
activities and public service in the future.
 Participants
valued networking
opportunities and a “sense of purpose.”
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All participants stated that The Mission Continues
Fellowship Program allowed them to make a contribution to
their communities.
Over 75% reported that they felt like part of a community,
and 100% said they believe they made a difference in the
life of at least one person.
68% stated they are aware of what can be done to meet the
important needs in their community, and 76% try to make a
positive difference in their communities.
68% reported a strong attachment to their communities.
 What
about domestic national service as
an option for those who want to serve?
 Service-learning
as mandatory or
available to all college students?
 Can
we provide an an infrastructure and
support for national service that is as
impressive as the structure of the military
?