LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES’ AT EASE CONGREGATIONAL OUTREACH EVENT IN HASTINGS – PUBLIC IS INVITED
In 2014, the United States Military is dealing with a crisis of epidemic proportions: the suicides of troops returning home from war. In 2012, these suicides numbered over one per day–a rate that had been steadily increasing since 2006. Sounding the alarm led to new widespread intervention and support programs and so far, the number of suicides has dropped dramatically: down 22%. Encouraging, but there is still much work to be done, especially among the youngest veterans (under age 24). Experts agree that the difficulty of transitioning back to family and community, as well as the effects of repeated deployments and the uncertainty of civilian life are taking a toll–and too many heroes are still not getting help in time.
(March 20, 2014) Omaha, NE – Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) will hold three At Ease® Congregational Outreach presentations on Saturday and Sunday, March 29 and 30 at First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hastings.
This outreach project engages communities to support military families throughout Nebraska and features a presentation from veteran Ryan Kaufman of the At Ease® program. Kaufman tells a powerful story of his own recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and how he is now working to help other veterans and family members through the At Ease® program.
Event Details:
Location: First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 501 North Burlington, Hastings
Date: Saturday, March 29 6:00pm; Sunday, March 30 8:25am and 10:35am
The public is invited.
About Lutheran Family Services’ At Ease® program and the At Ease® Congregational Outreach Project: Since 2009 Lutheran Family Services has offered the At Ease® program, a trauma
treatment and therapeutic support program for active military, veterans and their loved ones living in Nebraska. Services are offered in Bellevue, Lincoln, Grand Island and North Platte. In 2012 LFS received funding from Wheat Ridge Ministries to start the At Ease® Congregational Outreach Project. The overall goal of the Project is to raise awareness of the needs of Nebraska’s military families and engage faith-based organizations in addressing this need. LFS recognizes involvement from faith-based organizations as crucial in dealing with the growing needs of military families in Nebraska. Through the At Ease® Congregational Outreach Project, LFS hopes to empower faith-based organizations to work alongside formal programs like At Ease® to expand the network of support available to Nebraska’s military families. To learn more about At Ease®, please visit www.lfsatease.org.
About Wheat Ridge Ministries: Wheat Ridge Ministries provides start-up funding and resources to inspired leaders in congregations and nonprofit organizations beginning new and innovative human care
initiatives. They focus on improving personal wellness of body, mind and spirit. Currently, more than 50 Lutheran-affiliated ministries around the world are receiving assistance through Wheat Ridge. To learn more, please visit www.wheatridge.org.
