Owens & Minor Foundation, HOPE partner to support U.S. service members and military families.
By Pete Mercer
The Owens & Minor Foundation and Hope for the Warriors (HOPE) announced a collaboration that would support HOPE’s clientele – active U.S. servicemembers, veterans, and military families. Through this partnership, Owens & Minor has an opportunity to come alongside HOPE and serve those who have served our country.
“A core part of The Foundation’s work is empowering our teammates by supporting causes that align with our mission and represent their unique perspectives,” Owens & Minor Foundation president Faith Cristol said in a media release. “We are excited to partner with an organization like HOPE, whose tireless efforts to help improve the lives of servicemembers and their families are a perfect reflection of The Foundation’s goal of building healthier communities.”
How the partnership will work
The Owens & Minor Foundation collaborates closely with the Owens & Minor Teammate Resource Groups (TRGs) to align with causes that are important to the members of the Owens & Minor team. At Owens & Minor, each TRG provides space, resources, and support for underrepresented identity groups to develop goals that will help propel the Teammate and the organization forward. Through ongoing events and outreach, each TRG provides unique opportunities to connect and foster community across the company. All are welcome to join any TRG as a member or an ally.
The Foundation will help to support over a thousand HOPE clients through two pathway programs: Hope’s Critical Needs Program and HOPE’s Military Veteran Peer (MVP) Support Program. The Critical Needs Program aids financially vulnerable veterans, families, and caregivers who were impacted by the 9/11 attacks, and the MVP Support Program provides crucial peer support and community building for veterans and their families.
Recently, the Veterans TRG supported a HOPE initiative called the Memorial Day 30X30 Challenge, encouraging Owens & Minor staff across the company to stay active for at least 30 minutes a day for 30 days. The initiative started in May and tracked 70,697 minutes of actives, generating almost $5,000 in contributions for HOPE.
Addressing critical needs
Owens & Minor has been proudly supporting active members of the military, veterans, and military families since the day it was founded.
In a statement, the Owens & Minor Foundation said, “Supporting our veterans and military families is core to who we are, and this initiative is a natural extension of that commitment. We were drawn to HOPE because the programs directly address critical needs of veterans and their families, from financial assistance to mental health support. It’s an initiative that is deeply personal for many of our teammates.”
While the financial aspect of this is a significant part of the partnership, the Owens & Minor Veterans TRG is actively providing opportunities for Owens & Minor staff to build community by sharing their time and talents to support HOPE’s mission.
HOPE’s MVP Support Program will put HOPE’s Military Relations Program Managers, who are trained in mental health first aid and peer support, in contact with a veteran or active service member in need. The MVP Support team works with veterans throughout their post-military journey and connects them with new opportunities through HOPE’s programs and alongside HOPE’s strategic partners.
MVPs also provide personal engagement and customized peer support and create a place of acceptance and community for veterans and their families whether virtual or in-person.
The Owens & Minor Veterans TRG
According to The Foundation, the Veterans TRG was a critical part of establishing this partnership. This group plays an important role in attracting, supporting, and developing those who have served in the armed forces.
The Veterans TRG is an essential resource for veterans and active members of the military who work at Owens & Minor, providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for veterans to transition into civilian careers and leverage their skills in leadership, collaboration and problem-solving.
Additionally, the Veterans TRG advocates for veterans and veterans’ causes on behalf of Owens & Minor team members and in local communities, as well as serving as a forum for active and former military service members to support each other. The TRG recently hosted a post-traumatic stress disorder awareness program for all Owens & Minor teammates, providing education about PTSD and promoting awareness of support programs and resources for those affected.
A representative from Owens & Minor said in a statement, “Ultimately, this initiative reflects the Foundation’s view that it is not enough to say, ‘thank you for your service.’ Through this collaboration, and the efforts of the Veterans TRG, we are backing up those words with action.”