The Graffiti of War Project
Non-Profit Partners
Global Campaign Against IEDs
IEDs are an emerging global epidemic
With 323 incidents per month worldwide in 2010 and 89 incidents per month excluding Iraq and Afghanistan, the IED is a clearly established weapon of choice for those who use terror and violence to achieve their objectives. Historically, these incidents have occurred in a variety of situations including conflict and post-conflict nvironments (Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia, Israel, Lebanon, Palestine); illegal drug operations (Mexico, Columbia, Peru); insurgencies (Chechnya, Russia, Nigeria, Northern Ireland); election-related violence (Kenya, Nigeria, Ivory Coast); religious crises (India, Pakistan, Nigeria); ethnic conflicts (Nigeria, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Serbia); and other terrorism events (United States, United Kingdom, Russia, France). As a final example, the perpetrator of the July 2011 attack in Oslo, Norway described the IED as a “marketing tool” for his extremist views.
In 2008 and 2009[ii], global IED incidents were documented at 291 and 308 per month respectively. In 2006 during a six month period Landmine Action[iii] found 1,836 incidents of explosive devices in populated areas across 38 different countries. Sixty percent (1,105 or 184 per month) involved “bombs” or “car-bombs”—predominantly IEDs. These combined data indicate that IED use is likely proliferating.
The 2008 and 2009 incidents involved an estimated 13,771 killed (84% civilians) and 44,506 wounded (88% civilians). There were 196 killed and 28 wounded among those who deployed the IEDs. In cases where these incidents occurred in populated areas some 90% of reported casualties were civilians. Cumulatively just for Nigeria, Thailand, and India there were over 1,621 killed or injured in 2009 and 2010. In these three countries incidents rose 44% in 2010 as compared to 2009.
In Mexico, drug-related proliferation of illegal small arms and associated violence—known as precursors to IED use—foreshadowed the vehicle-borne IED
incident in Cuidad Juarez on 15 July 2010. From no reported attacks in 2009, there were six additional IED incidents[vi] through January 2011.
These trends underscore the seriousness of the IED problem. Innocent civilians, most often women and children, bear the brunt of the suffering. Those
in affected areas live in fear of additional attacks that disrupt everything from daily routines, to health care to elections. When displacement, destruction, and loss of personal assets are added to this mix[v] sustainable livelihoods are severely degraded. With no central, universally trusted repository that tracks IED incidents, the actual impacts are likely greater than depicted.
The IED is a significant global threat to stability, sustainable development, human rights, and humanitarian operations. Even so, they are inevitably framed
as an exclusively military problem. It is our position that a purely military response will never halt the proliferation of IEDs; eliminate civilian casualties; or address the root causes of IED production networks.
With 323 incidents per month worldwide in 2010 and 89 incidents per month excluding Iraq and Afghanistan, the IED is a clearly established weapon of choice for those who use terror and violence to achieve their objectives. Historically, these incidents have occurred in a variety of situations including conflict and post-conflict nvironments (Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia, Israel, Lebanon, Palestine); illegal drug operations (Mexico, Columbia, Peru); insurgencies (Chechnya, Russia, Nigeria, Northern Ireland); election-related violence (Kenya, Nigeria, Ivory Coast); religious crises (India, Pakistan, Nigeria); ethnic conflicts (Nigeria, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Serbia); and other terrorism events (United States, United Kingdom, Russia, France). As a final example, the perpetrator of the July 2011 attack in Oslo, Norway described the IED as a “marketing tool” for his extremist views.
In 2008 and 2009[ii], global IED incidents were documented at 291 and 308 per month respectively. In 2006 during a six month period Landmine Action[iii] found 1,836 incidents of explosive devices in populated areas across 38 different countries. Sixty percent (1,105 or 184 per month) involved “bombs” or “car-bombs”—predominantly IEDs. These combined data indicate that IED use is likely proliferating.
The 2008 and 2009 incidents involved an estimated 13,771 killed (84% civilians) and 44,506 wounded (88% civilians). There were 196 killed and 28 wounded among those who deployed the IEDs. In cases where these incidents occurred in populated areas some 90% of reported casualties were civilians. Cumulatively just for Nigeria, Thailand, and India there were over 1,621 killed or injured in 2009 and 2010. In these three countries incidents rose 44% in 2010 as compared to 2009.
In Mexico, drug-related proliferation of illegal small arms and associated violence—known as precursors to IED use—foreshadowed the vehicle-borne IED
incident in Cuidad Juarez on 15 July 2010. From no reported attacks in 2009, there were six additional IED incidents[vi] through January 2011.
These trends underscore the seriousness of the IED problem. Innocent civilians, most often women and children, bear the brunt of the suffering. Those
in affected areas live in fear of additional attacks that disrupt everything from daily routines, to health care to elections. When displacement, destruction, and loss of personal assets are added to this mix[v] sustainable livelihoods are severely degraded. With no central, universally trusted repository that tracks IED incidents, the actual impacts are likely greater than depicted.
The IED is a significant global threat to stability, sustainable development, human rights, and humanitarian operations. Even so, they are inevitably framed
as an exclusively military problem. It is our position that a purely military response will never halt the proliferation of IEDs; eliminate civilian casualties; or address the root causes of IED production networks.
Art Reach: Project America
The ArtReach Foundation is a 501(c) 3, based in Atlanta, GA and was founded in 1999 by Susan M. Anderson, CEO. The mission of ArtReach is to influence and assist – through creative expressive arts therapies - the growth and development of adults and children who have experienced the traumatic effects of war, violence, and/or natural disaster. ArtReach developed The ArtReach Model®, which is experiential learning at its finest - incorporating principles of trauma theory, immersion in group process and the creative arts in healing traumatized children and adults within a community context of “safe space”.
The ArtReach Model®:
* Manages traumatic material through the use of metaphor
* Strengthens resiliency
* Builds a sense of safety
* Re-connects with imagination and creative self
* Develops trust within the group context by collaborating and connecting with others
* Enhances personal insight
* Develops a community for healing to safely occur
The ArtReach Model®:
* Manages traumatic material through the use of metaphor
* Strengthens resiliency
* Builds a sense of safety
* Re-connects with imagination and creative self
* Develops trust within the group context by collaborating and connecting with others
* Enhances personal insight
* Develops a community for healing to safely occur
ArtReach Workshops
Ultimately, ArtReach and the Graffiti of War Project want to utilize ArtReach's Model in communities across the nation and around the world not just for our Veterans, Warfighters and their Families but everyone who has been affected by war.
* Adaptable to working internationally and domestically * Workshop leaders complete an intensive 5 phase train-the-trainers program * Screening and selection of group members * 3-4 days immersion in creative arts group process * Individual, small group, and large group creative arts tasks and discussion * Retreats, workshops, Train the Trainers Training, and short demonstrations available 
Visit www.ArtReachProjectAmerica.com Today! |
Project Outcomes
ArtReach has been making a difference for over a decade in the lives of thousands. Just recently they saw the benefits that could be transferred to the lives of our men and women in uniform and began their new endeavor, Project America, in 2010. Our vision in partnering with ArtReach is to ensure that every service member is given the opportunity to take advantage of this program at no cost. We need your help, though, to make this a reality. For more information on ArtReach visit their website, www.artreachprojectamerica.com or send an email to info@artreachfoundation.org.
* Over 400,000 traumatized persons have received direct benefit of the ArtReach Model * 750 people trained in the ArtReach Model internationally and domestically (combined) * Cohesion and connectivity reflected through on-going relationships between trainers. * Invitations to repeat and/or expand the ArtReach Model of training at Project sites * Completion of qualitative research on training workshops held in Lebanon, Jordan, & U.S. * Workshop Participants’ verbal and written feedback, art, and poetry compiled * Project America is currently conducting research on participants, and is planning a controlled research study |
GiveAnHour.org
Our mission is to develop national networks of volunteers capable of responding to both acute and chronic conditions that arise within our society. Our first target population is the U.S. troops and families who are being affected by the current military conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Give an Hour™ is asking mental health professionals nationwide to literally donate an hour of their time each week to provide free mental health services to military personnel and their families. As of May 31, 2011, approximately 5,600 providers have donated nearly 39,000 hours of service.
Our Focus -
As of May 31, 2011, approximately 5,600 providers have donated nearly 39,000 hours of service. Besides the physical injuries sustained, countless servicemen and servicewomen have experienced psychological symptoms directly related to their deployment. Our military leaders are well aware of the human cost of this campaign. Indeed, they are attempting to address the psychological needs of the troops through a variety of programs within the military culture. Unfortunately, the tremendous number of people affected makes it impossible for the military to respond adequately to the mental health needs in its greater community. A major barrier preventing military personnel from seeking appropriate treatment is the perception of stigma associated with treatment. Many fear that seeking mental health services will jeopardize their career or standing. We are also offering services to parents, siblings, and unmarried partners who are not entitled to receive mental health benefits through the military.
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Our Plan -
Give an Hour™ recruits mental health professionals in several ways. We have been
endorsed by the major mental health associations in the United States: American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, American Psychiatric Association/American Psychiatric Foundation, American Psychological Association among others. Only licensed mental health professionals are included in the network. Licenses are verified. Only mental health professionals trained and experienced to work with trauma victims will identify themselves as available to work with soldiers who have experienced combat. The Eli Lilly and Company Foundation awarded Give an Hour™, in partnership with the American Psychiatric Foundation, a major grant that is allowing us to spread our message to the leaders of the mental health community in every state. We are recruiting volunteers from a number of organizations and institutions as well as through our Web site to assist us in the implementation of our program. |
Our Vision -
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Our primary focus will always be to attend to those in need by linking them to individuals in our society best equipped to respond effectively. In addition, we will develop research and educational programs to further promote the value and importance of a new kind of volunteerism. We hope to encourage an increase in shared responsibility for those citizens who are suffering. We need only look at the outpouring of aid and support following both the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 to see the potential we have to become a truly compassionate and united nation. We have not only the potential but the duty to help one another in times of need.
Veterans PTSD Project - Changing the National Conversation on PTSD
Service Members are not statistics. They are our sons, mothers, husbands, and friends. A web search on "PTSD” will give you more than 18 million results that generally fall into two categories: web sites clinical in nature and sites anecdotal in nature. This is worth noting since most Service Members returning from combat are under the age of 30 – when diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress, they turn to the web for information. And what they find are grim statistics: 18 suicides per day. Up to 70% of Soldiers exposed to traumatic incidents. Over 31,000 OIF Veterans wounded in action. Double the divorce rate among active duty personnel.
This can easily become a self-fulfilling prophecy when, in fact, the converse is true: most returning Service Members diagnosed with PTSD do not commit suicide or lose their jobs, their families or their sanity – they work through their Post-Traumatic Stress and come back stronger; many experience personal growth. By sharing Service Members' first-person accounts of hope and victory over PTSD with other Veterans and their families, the Veterans' PTSD Project answers the one burning question in the mind of a Combat Vet looking for answers on the web: "how do I get better?"
This can easily become a self-fulfilling prophecy when, in fact, the converse is true: most returning Service Members diagnosed with PTSD do not commit suicide or lose their jobs, their families or their sanity – they work through their Post-Traumatic Stress and come back stronger; many experience personal growth. By sharing Service Members' first-person accounts of hope and victory over PTSD with other Veterans and their families, the Veterans' PTSD Project answers the one burning question in the mind of a Combat Vet looking for answers on the web: "how do I get better?"
Veterans Resource Central - VRC
Visit www.MyVRC.org
Veterans Resource Central (VRC) is a volunteer organization made up of men and women with and without military experience. We introduce veterans and their spouses to a network of community business leaders many of whom are veterans, family members of veterans or who just care about veterans and want to help.
We are a Pennsylvania based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, that provides assistance to returning veterans, active duty military and their families through a corps of volunteers and Internet tools. We provide information, education and guidance to veterans transitioning to civilian life and to active duty military planning for civilian careers.
We introduce veterans and their spouses to a network of community business leaders many of whom are veterans, family members of veterans or who just care about veterans and want to help. Email info@myvrc.org
We are a Pennsylvania based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, that provides assistance to returning veterans, active duty military and their families through a corps of volunteers and Internet tools. We provide information, education and guidance to veterans transitioning to civilian life and to active duty military planning for civilian careers.
We introduce veterans and their spouses to a network of community business leaders many of whom are veterans, family members of veterans or who just care about veterans and want to help. Email info@myvrc.org
For More Information About VRC Visit This LINK or Their Website by Clicking HERE
The National Security Leadership Foundation
In 1776, in the city of Philadelphia, a small group of community leaders got together to leverage an opportunity, which later established the land of the free and home of the brave. They built their vision for a new nation and against all odds succeeded in turning their vision and dream into a reality. That vision became one, which embodied the spirit of hope, faith and freedom - The United States of America, the land of opportunity
Today, we are presented with a new opportunity – one, which we must embrace. This new opportunity embraces our warriors and brings out their strengths, optimizing them so that when they are in the fight, they can lead themselves, lead others, and lead operations in a manner, which truly represents the values we hold to be dear. It is an opportunity, which affords those same warriors to be able to leave the fight where it belongs, empowers them to be the type of parent they wish to be for their children, the partner they wish to be for their spouse, and the individual they wish to be for themselves.
The National Security Leadership Foundation is dedicated to provide personal and professional development for our National Security professionals and their families and empowering them to find, and create success in their present roles, during transition and in recovery from trauma.
We ask that you join with us, as our Founding Fathers once did so many years ago, and be a part of creating something of equally significant magnitude as we forge a future for our great nation and those who serve to protect it.
Today, we are presented with a new opportunity – one, which we must embrace. This new opportunity embraces our warriors and brings out their strengths, optimizing them so that when they are in the fight, they can lead themselves, lead others, and lead operations in a manner, which truly represents the values we hold to be dear. It is an opportunity, which affords those same warriors to be able to leave the fight where it belongs, empowers them to be the type of parent they wish to be for their children, the partner they wish to be for their spouse, and the individual they wish to be for themselves.
The National Security Leadership Foundation is dedicated to provide personal and professional development for our National Security professionals and their families and empowering them to find, and create success in their present roles, during transition and in recovery from trauma.
We ask that you join with us, as our Founding Fathers once did so many years ago, and be a part of creating something of equally significant magnitude as we forge a future for our great nation and those who serve to protect it.
The Challenge -
Our National Security operatives at home and abroad, endure some of the greatest workforce stresses imaginable. It is heartbreaking to witness such incredibly selfless and dedicated citizens, fall victim to the inevitable consequences of their experiences and to witness the devastating impact it has upon their children, families and on our communities and society as a whole.
Suicide: In 2009, America lost more soldiers to suicide, than to the Iraq & Afghanistan wars – combined. Approximately 18 veterans take their own life each day. That is equal to one veteran every 1hr 20 minutes. Divorce: In the Army, the female enlisted divorce rate is three times that of enlisted males. Within the military the divorce rate exceeds the national average by over 3.6%. Homelessness: Approximately 40% of the adult male homeless population in the United States comprises veterans and approximately 10% of all homeless veterans are women. On any given night 200,000 veterans are homeless and over the course of a year, more than 400,000 veterans may experience homelessness. Our Children: Outpatient mental health visits provided to children of active duty parents doubled from 1 million to 2 million, between 2003 and 2008. |
The Cause -
Why is this happening to our National Security professionals and their families? There are a wide variety of influencing factors some of which are commonly experienced across our National Security domains, such as repeated exposure to physical and emotional stress as well as more specific issues which relate to the organization, the role and even gender. There is no easy answer and within each area there is
much debate. There is a frightening and increasing trend, which threatens to destabilize the security of our nation from within. The violence and suffering which we witness in war is traveling home with our valiant warriors, like a virus which threatens to spread its disease beyond the host, to all of those it meets and with equally dire consequences. The implications, which are presented to as a result of the experiences of our National Security Professionals, are far reaching. Huge numbers of our children have lost their parents to service, and as a result in medical advancement, more parents are surviving their injuries received in combat, and returning home. With recent estimates from the VA, which suggest up to 95 % of all returning combat Veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq are suffering PTSD symptoms, as well as evidence, which lends itself to the transference of PTSD, our children have never needed our help more than now. The impact on successful personal and professional performance is profoundly determined by self-efficacy and it’s influence on a person’s choice behavior, motivation, perseverance, and facilitative thought patterns. |
Our Approach -
While numerous worthy non-profits exist, we believe our greatest strength lays in the fact that we are not treating the symptomatic; rather, marginalizing and mitigating problematic encounters before they happen.
Using a coaching approach, we capitalize on assisting national security members and their families to hone their leadership capabilities. In doing so, this creates a contagious effect, which benefits the entire national security
system ensuring not simply the success of the individual, but the success of those they work with, as well as the success of the operations they share leadership with.
Our philosophy comes from the perspective that we can make a significant change not by simply feeding a person one fish, but rather by teaching them how to fish, so they can forever feed themselves and their families.
Using a coaching approach, we capitalize on assisting national security members and their families to hone their leadership capabilities. In doing so, this creates a contagious effect, which benefits the entire national security
system ensuring not simply the success of the individual, but the success of those they work with, as well as the success of the operations they share leadership with.
Our philosophy comes from the perspective that we can make a significant change not by simply feeding a person one fish, but rather by teaching them how to fish, so they can forever feed themselves and their families.
