Brief history of Wounded Warriors Project

Wounded Warrior Project(WWP) was founded in 2002 by John Melia and is a non-profit organization created to help soldiers who where wounded in war after September, 11, 2001. Other original founders of WWP include Jim Melia (John's brother), John F. Melia , Al Giordano and Steven Nardizzi. John, who served in military and was severely injured during a helicopter crash in Somalia in 1992, got the idea after his family and other veterans where displeased with stories of the first wounded service members returning home from Afghanistan and Iraq. John and his friends did not think the military was providing the veterans the help needed to readjust into society. So he founded the WWP, and started off by delivering backpacks full of supplies and other items to the bedsides of injured soldiers. From that small contribution The Wounded Warriors Project has grown substantially, and today helps tens of thousands of wounded warriors each year through WWP programs designed to nurture the mind and body.



  The Wounded Warrior Project helps veteran's 4 different ways mind, body, economic empowerment, and engagement.

• Mind- Helps wounded warriors  receiving support to overcome the challenges of living a normal life. Through interactive programs, outdoor rehabilitative retreats, peer support, and professional services, warriors are given the help to maintain healthy, meaningful relationships with family and friends, and pursue future and life goals without the barriers associated with mental health issues.

• Body-  Helps wounded warriors who have suffered bodily injuries like loss of limbs, burns, or deformations. Receive the care they need to maximize rehabilitation and live active and healthy lives. Through sports, health, and recreational activities.

• Economic Empowerment- Helps wounded warriors become economically empowered. And envisions a generation of employed and skilled warriors who have the opportunity to pursue a career or own their own business. Thru higher education programs, information technology training, and employment assistance services. So they can provide financial stability for their families.

• Engagement- This program is the coolest to me because it helps veterans stay connected with other veterans. Also WWP offers a Benefits Service program that provides veterans with access to government benefits and details on all of our programs and community resources. So that the warriors can stay connected and informed about the services they have rightfully earned thru there service in the armed forces.  

 For even more information visit their website at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/#main