In August 2016, US citizens were upset that IAVA was not including Presidential candidate, Gov. [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] in their upcoming September 7th presidential forum; a forum which CEO [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] professed as a voice for otherwise voiceless veterans. In order to be heard, reviews (often accompanied with 1 star ratings), began flooding the IAVA Facebook page. It reached approximately 13,000 reviews and a 1.7 star average company rating before, in what was considered a cowardice and self-serving move to many, IAVA hid their reviews and ratings. This move was made following the forum event during the evening of September 7th.While promoting his company all throughout the IAVA forum event, he continued to ignore the ever-growing angry voices of the very people he was claiming to represent. The only public acknowledgement that Paul gave of these thousands of veterans' voices was when he blasted them in social media as "trolls" and "haters".There is a picture circulating of Paul wearing a [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] star and another piece indicating that he was actively (or previously) part of a Special Unit. These distinguishments are still in question by the public.
IAVA does NOT represent their veteran members. We veterans told them, overwhelmingly, to include [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] in September 7th event. IAVA chose to ignore us veterans and even insult us. If you support veterans or are a veteran yourself, DO NOT donate to this corrupt organization.
For an organization representing the veterans, they do not represent the veterans political views. They leave out the only candidate from their debate with a clear understanding of not sending more troops to war, and silence opposition to their decisions. Their reviews section is suspiciously hidden now on facebook. This organization is a joke.
They claim to be a non partisan group, yet leftout a candidate that appears of all 50 states ballots, and is very popular among the military.
Contrary to their mission statement, the IAVA has failed miserably in representing the 21st Century Servicemember, the organization was founded to give a voice to veterans, yet their willful disregard and later insults to our collective ire has, shown this organization to be a fraud to those values. They do not represent anyone other than their own agenda. The Veteran and Active military communities have spoken with resounding unity and clarity. We wanted Gov. [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] on the stage and included in the Commander-in-Chief Forum, the IAVA however did not.
[Info removed for confidentiality purposes] is the voice of thousands of veterans. Why deny vets the chance to hear his message? Put [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] in the REAL Presidential forum and I will change my rating!
40% of vets prefer [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] this election. Instead of listening to vets, and allowing Gary [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] to speak at the same Commander in Chief forum as [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] and Trump, IAVA declined and pointed the blame finger at NBC. I believe the bias media played a huge role in the suppression. However, IAVA chose to play dirty politics along with NBC... One of the 5 entities given the power to poll. Cheat much? When [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] supporters complained about the bias, [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] called them "haters" and "trolls". No more donations from me and my generous [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] family, IAVA.
Ignores the voices of thousand upon thousands of veterans. Desperate for money, will do what ever it takes to get it.
They are a veteran's organization that clearly hates veteran's. The VA does not need competition. Why are you afraid of [Info removed for confidentiality purposes]?
Chooses to benefit itself over benefitting its members and representing their desires on a larger scale.
Despite the IAVA website's claim to: "...partner with all those who share our commitment to this generation of veterans—whether they’re Democrat, Republican, or independent [emphasis added]" the IAVA did not extend an invite to Libertarian presidential candidate [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] in their upcoming Commander-in-Chief Forum. He is the only candidate on the ballot in all 50 states who was not included. A recent poll involving active duty soldiers in the U.S. military indicated that [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] is currently the preferred candidate by members of the military (38.7% chose [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] versus 30.9% for Trump and 14.1% for [Info removed for confidentiality purposes]). This poll was conducted via the popular military personality [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] and was widely publicized, especially in military publications such as the Military Times. I do not believe that the IAVA is truly representing the veterans it claims to support by excluding [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] from these debates. As a testament to the frustration IAVA's supporters are experiencing do to this unfair selection, simply view their Facebook page, which is currently overrun with angry comments and has plunged from a close to 5 star page rating to one with a 2.4 (and declining). The page's likes have plunged by around 25,000. Many of IAVA's sponsors and donor organizations have reached out to IAVA to advocate on these veterans behalf. Despite this, the IAVA has continued to ignore the voices of those it claims to support.
First they ignore the voices of veterans by denying [Info removed for confidentiality purposes], active/veteran soldier presidential favorite, access to their debate. Now they're trying to sweep it under the rug. A spit in the eye to our troops everywhere.
They claim to be non partisan, but this is not true. They do not listen to the people they claim to represent. Instead of facing and answering backlash for their actions, they shut down the offices and went offline.
Does not listen to its members. Allows the political agenda of the board members to govern the actions of the entire membership.
You claim to have the veterans best interest in mind, yet you snub the leading candidate among active duty members of the military. Shame on you.
Your organization, which claims to represent veterans, is a joke. You exclude the leading candidate in military polls from your debate, which reflects how you do NOT represent our veterans. And for one of your board members to openly endorse [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] before removing his post shows obvious bias in excluding [Info removed for confidentiality purposes], the preferred candidate among our Military. Not only does he rank 1st in military polls, but he is on the ballot in all 50 states, making him more than eligible for your event.
A partisan organization who claims to advocate rights for veterans, but doesn't value their opinions. Shameful. You are part of the problem, not the solution.
Does not support the views of veterans. Does not answer public, when confronted about it. Board members publicly support presidential candidates of choice while shutting out opposing parties from a "non-partisan" forum
IAVA declined to invite Governor [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] to the commander in chief forum. This is ridiculous. how dare you utilize political motivation to prevent an opinion from being spoken. Especially one where over 10% of the electorate is voting for and >60% want in the general debates.
IAVA neglected to invite Gov. [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] to their debate even though he is the highest polling candidate among active military. Bad decision.
Shame on iava for refusing to invite libertarian candidate Gov. [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] to the debate. As a former service member, I'm deeply troubled that this organization ignores the wishes of those it claims to advocate/ support.
They claim to be non partisan, but they are really allied with the democratic establishment. I am disappointed that they excluded [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] from the presidential forum they are holding. [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] is the peace candidate in this race. He also is leading in polls among veterans and active duty. By excluding him they are going against their own mission.
A partisan organization that doesn't represent veterans of any war, but operates to funnel money to its preferred candidates.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America doesn't care about Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans. Let [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] debate!
It is absolutely disgraceful for an organization that claims to represent veterans and military personnel to exclude the candidate most popular among them. Their biased, dishonest behavior is a testament to the fact that the two-party duopoly needs to end now.
According to their own press release, veterans are often excluded, and ignored in this wild political forum. However, by not inviting [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] to debate, not only are veterans excluded and ignored, they are being force fed that this is how it has to be by an organization claiming to care for and assist them. This is no greater a service to the military community than the VA services, that have repeatedly failed to care for vets, and divulged PII through negligent mistakes. I for one can not support an organization that makes such preposterous claims with the inability to follow through regardless of what good they might accidently accomplish. #letgarydebate
IAVA doesn't represent the veterans anymore. They refused to listen to vets and their voices to include other candidates in their forum. Instead of addressing the issue and actually respond to all the concerned veterans, they closed their offices and ignored the same veterans they claimed to represent. They claimed to be the voice of the veterans that are often ignored. It's extremely disrespectful to ignore and benefit from the very people who put their lives on the line for this country. IAVA claims to be non-partisan so they can get the tax exempt status. All the actions that they have taken so far are NOT non-partisan. Even the board members have been vocal about supporting [Info removed for confidentiality purposes]. Then, they delete all their incriminating evidence that would suggest otherwise. It's a big spit to the face to all the vets that IAVA would go out of their way to ignore the majority of the vets in their group and send affiliates to insult people online about fighting for a fair debate/forum. Just look at their facebook ratings right now. It went from 4.9 to 2.4 within a day and dropping. Veterans have spoken loudly and taken action against IAVA. IAVA's sponsors have been vocal too to for the inclusion of a 3rd voice on that stage. Still , no response. Please revoke their tax exempt status.
According to their own press release, veterans are often excluded, and ignored in this wild political forum. However, by not inviting [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] to debate, not only are veterans excluded and ignored, they are being force fed that this is how it has to be by an organization claiming to care for and assist them. This is no greater a service to the military community than the VA services, that have repeatedly failed to care for vets, and divulged PII through negligent mistakes. I for one can not support an organization that makes such preposterous claims with the inability to follow through regardless of what good they might accidently accomplish. #letgarydebate
Biased organization pushing their own agenda. Won't let [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] debate despite the fact he polls the highest of all three candidates amoung active duty personnel.
To only invite 2 of the 3 candidates on the ballot in all 50 states is sad. Many of its members have made it clear that they want [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] at the forum. They are not nonpartisan, they are bipartisan.They do not represent the views of many of their members.
Group claims to be nonpartisan but caters to Republican and Democratic parties. This is not a nonpartisan organization and its tax exempt status should be revoked.
Shouldn't be a nonprofit. Not letting [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] into their forums!
It's disturbing to see the IAVA refuse to lend a voice to a non-interventionalist candidate who polls highest with Veterans.
For a "non partisan" organization to not include a candidate shown to be very popular with the group of people for whom you supposedly advocate in a town hall sponsored by the organization is disgraceful.
This organization professes to lobby on behalf of veterans across the country. When they have the opportunity to have provide a stage to multiple voices contending to be Commander In Chief, they follow the money and exclude a candidate who advocates to bring troops home, who a majority of active duty troops support; in favor of their board members supported candidate. This organization has become a scam, and no longer represents those they claim to.
I am appalled by IAVA's choice to not invite Gov [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] to the upcoming presidential forum on Sep 7th, when so many veterans like myself are really looking forward to hearing what [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] has to say about the many issues that affect us personally. This is a complete disservice to the very population they claim to represent!!
Let [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] debate! The IAVA's behavior to ignore everyone's outcry (us vets included) is means to abolish this organization to start a new.
The Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran's of America is hosting a Presidential forum in early September 2016 and excluding candidate [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] from the event. Thousands of veteran's have spoken up and said they want him on the stage, but the IAVA is refusing to acknowledge their concerns and refusing to put him there.I was proud to be associated with such an organization, but no more!
This organization refuses to acknowledge the needs and desires of the community they claim to represent. They have done this by refusing to allow the highest polling candidate among military members and veterans, [Info removed for confidentiality purposes], into their forum. As a veteran, I find this action deplorable.
Let [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] on stage! What are you afraid of? Common Sense? Someone who our troops support!!!
An organization that claims to represent our military members who excludes their preferred candidate from their Commander-in-Chief forum. This is politics as usual in my opinion. The IAVA has not corrected their stance or offered any solution. So one can only assume that they were either paid off or threatened by the Democrat and Republican parties, or they are being partisan. Regardless of their reasoning, they are not living up to their self-proclaimed moral obligation to provide a voice for our troops, and therefore, deserve to lose their nonprofit tax-exempt status.
This is not a non partisan lobbyist group. This is strictly for the [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] administration and that is NOT okay.
If Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America wants to be taxed as a for-profit entity, they can select candidates they prefer without violating federal election laws (which require merely that the criteria be pre-established and objective), but they cannot select preferred candidates without violating the laws governing tax-exempt charities. If [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] is not included as an equal candidate on the shared stage of the Sept 7th general election forum we demand that Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America's tax exempt status be nullified. #LetGaryDebate #OpFeelTheJohnson Please sign this petition and share: https://www.change.org/p/internal-revenue-service-revoke-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans-of-america-s-tax-exempt-status
This organization does not represent the Iraq and Afghanistan vets at all (I am one). By choosing to exclude [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] they have shown that they have their own agenda, and don't care what we think.
IAVA claims its mission is to empower veterans; if this is truly the case, why would they host a forum for presidential candidates without inviting the leading candidate among military members? If IAVA does not invite [Info removed for confidentiality purposes], they are actively suppressing the voices of a large portion of their members - a direct contradiction to their stated mission.I hope that this is not their intention and that they will seriously consider inviting [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] to the forum.
They fail to recognize Veteran and active duty wishes by excluding the top polling candidate from their forum, [Info removed for confidentiality purposes].
If your charity is supposed to be an advocate for soldiers and you ignore those soldiers wishes in your debate, you don't deserve my money.
How can you properly represent active duty military members and veterans if you won't include the candidate everyone wants to see in your Commander in Chief forum?
I am extremely disappointed that [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] has not been invited to the presidential forum. Furthermore, the lack of response from the IAVA is cowardly and totally unacceptable!
IAVA purports to be a nonpartisan organization as all non profits have to be. However, in not including [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] and [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] in their upcoming [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] forum or on their website voters guide, they are abjectly acting in a partisan manner towards the two major parties. In addition, they refuse to address the concerns of members and donors in regards to this choosing instead to ignore them.
I'm not impressed with the decision to exclude [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] from the Commander-in-Chief Forum. I'm even less impressed with the decision to remain silent despite the overwhelming response from its members, veterans, active duty military, and other likeminded individuals requesting that former Governor [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] be included. There is an irreconcilable discrepancy between IAVA's claim to be the leading veteran empowerment organization and their glaring failure even to acknowledge an issue this important to the men and women who served in our armed forces. In fact, given how passionately the veteran community has rallied around the [Info removed for confidentiality purposes]/Weld campaign, IAVA has made a case through their inaction to be the leading veteran emasculation organization. I can only conclude that [Info removed for confidentiality purposes], Trump, or both have either paid IAVA to exclude [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] or stipulated that their appearance is contingent upon his absence. I hope the attention this draws will ultimately expose the backroom dealings that are preventing an honest man from encroaching upon the Republicrat duopoly and depriving the military community from advancing their preferred candidate. Shame on you, IAVA.
Scam vet organization. As an Iraq vet I can tell you they flat out ignore members they claim to represent. Don't support this group when there are many other good ones out there. This is an organization that is only in it for themselves.
Include [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] in the forum. He was the front runner in a poll of veterans and got 38% of the vote.
While it is appreciated that this organization is hosting a presidential forum; it is inappropriate for them not to invite Libertarian candidate [Info removed for confidentiality purposes], for two reasons: First, he is a viable candidate as he is on the ballot in all 50 states; second, and more importantly, he is the first choice for president of active military members based on recent professional and objective polling. Why would this veteran organization fail to invite the military's preferred choice of presidential candidate, when that candidate is a major, viable candidate?
Active military and veterans have spoken, and their top choice for president is [Info removed for confidentiality purposes]. He isn't just up there with [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] and Trump, he is beating them in polls of the very people the IAVA claims to support. [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] is also on the ballot in all 50 states, is a former two-term governor, and us very much a serious candidate. The IAVA is aware of this information and has still deliberately chosen to exclude him from their upcoming town hall. They should be ashamed to so blatantly disregard the voice of Active Military and Veterans, especially since these citizens are supposed to be the IAVA's priority.
To exclude [Info removed for confidentiality purposes], the number one candidate amongst veterans, just because he is not the number one for non-veterans is to literally say that our voices, our votes, and our opinions don't matter. You are ignoring us, and as a group that is supposed to support Iraq/Afghanistan vets, that's disheartening. I'm an OIF I-II veteran and I hate to give a 1 star review on a group that is helping veterans. Include [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] and I am more than happy to change this review, as I'm sure most vets are. Listen to our voices and who WE want, not who the civilians want. Aren't we the ones who are supposed to matter here?
[Info removed for confidentiality purposes] is currently polling highest with military, however the IAVA chooses to ignore the wishes of our brave men and women for their own partisan interests. Absolutely disgusting.
It is unacceptable that you have excluded Governor [Info removed for confidentiality purposes] from your forum.
We have recently partnered with this great Veteran Service organization by offering recreational rehabilitation adaptive sports rowing & kayaking programing. The Connecticut chapter is a great crew of rowers and kayakers who really enjoy all the clubs where we train.
We hope to continue to reach other states where they have active IAVA members so that we can create more programing specifically designed with them in mind.
Please help support this great organization with a donation today.
Kind regards,
Paul-Stephen Varszegi
Veterans' Rowing & Kayaking, Inc.
President/Founder
I joined this group and (as mentioned above) almost immediately felt like a roster number. I received both email and actual letters asking for donations.
I tried to attend an "event" at Daytona Bike with them (2015) but they never showed up. I asked the American Legion, VFW, and Rolling Thunder (each had their own spots)if they had seen or heard of IAVA all week? They had not and according to the map provided IAVA was supposed to be close to the other vets group's spots.
This group also has a track record of claiming to represent veterans support for left wing political affiliates. The CEO is a big hillary donor...I gave this group 1 star, but I couldn't score them lower. I feel like I was totally misrepresented by this group of leftists.
I'll start by saying that IAVA does achieve positive impact on the lives of veterans, from time to time. Any 50-person, multi-million-dollar organization has to do some good, once in a while.
But as someone pretty familiar with IAVA's operations, I think it's a highly overrated Veteran Service Organization. One major problem is that it has an unstable staff. Dozens of people resign from IAVA every year - program staff, communications staff, fundraisers, you name it. Check the website Glassdoor, which enables employees to review their companies, and you'll see that IAVA has been deserted by a growing number of disillusioned staffers who hate how the place is run.
So what's the problem? IAVA's CEO, for one thing, is a wonderful and charismatic "talking head" on cable TV, but he actually has no idea how to run a nonprofit. He's turned IAVA into a one-note anger machine - constantly attacking the VA, without offering realistic alternatives to what the Department is doing. This makes IAVA very unpopular in the government and (more damningly) very unpopular among other veterans' groups. IAVA simply does not play well with others, and it doesn't have the expertise or clout to solve veterans' problems on its own.
IAVA's programs also leave something to be desired. Its case management service is solid, but like the organization as a whole it suffers from high turnover and poor management. Meanwhile, IAVA's employment and education programs are quite weak. Also, the organization has a bad habit of making exaggerated claims about its impact, as well as lazy untrue statements ("IAVA is the oldest veterans' group supporting post-9/11 vets") that are easily challenged (WWP was founded the year before).
In short, unless you're really into anger, exaggeration, chaos and mismanagement...I think there are better VSOs out there. IAVA has done some real good, but given the size of its staff and budget, it should be doing much, much more.
Review from Guidestar
I have been a long standing Member of this Great Org. They have help me in so many way, from helping me write and resume, given me advise and just being there to listen when i need and ear. The rucksack is also wonderful I recieve a free suit and a few other thing I need to make life a little eazyer.
IAVA was instrumental in improving the education benefits for all service members and veterans. I was able to take advantage of the post-9/11 GI bill to complete my bachelors program. Without the superior tuition reimbursement and BAH stipend, I would not have been able to attend school and support my wife and children. IAVA is also supporting our Veteran Student Organization at San Jose State by sponsoring events and sending free promotional materials. They also help me with leadership training and individual mentoring. I am excited to be part of such a passionate organization that is perfectly aligned with my career goal of supporting our nation's Veterans.
IAVA has really worked to help the student veterans at my school, UC Berkeley. They do so much to help us understand the GI BILL, have passed along great job opportunities and are currently helping us promote community service events.
There is a lot to love about this organization. It places veterans at the heart of its operations and never deviates. I have seen its programs work to provide mental health assistance as vets make the transition from combat to civilian life-- saving lives in the process. Their case management team acts with the utmost compassion and is responsible for the help vets receive when they return home. It also organizes veterans in ways that elevate their esteem and service nationwide. IAVA's innovative, one-of-a-kind New GI Bill Calculator serves as a simple yet instructive resource to help vets clearly understand the benefits for higher education-- benefits they have earned. Further, I've witnessed them on the front lines in Washington holding our government accountable, making sure vets are not left behind because of politics. The New GI Bill, the Hired Heroes Act, and national awareness over the shameful VA Backlog demonstrate its reach and success in keeping our leaders accountable and substance-oriented as we move deeper in the 21st Century. Altogether, there is no better organization that represents this generation's heroes.
Passionate organization that is always fighting for the rights of our veterans. There are very few organizations out there dedicated specifically to the needs of this generation of veterans and I am proud to work closely with them. They survey their membership each year to make sure they are meeting their needs and it helps them figure out what programs and services are really needed. Two thumbs up!
Review from Guidestar
IAVA is a veterans’ educational organization that happens to provide the most relevant and valuable services to the current generation of veterans and the public: a. the television and radio ad program that was the first to impact the general public and educate them on the issue of veteran isolation; b. effective advocacy for the current veterans that lead the traditional veteran service organizations in “airing the dirty laundry about the poor capacity and performance of our military transitions process, the claims process, and veterans mental health care programs” resulting in increased congressional oversight and improvements; c. education of the public on the “real unemployment rate” of our young veterans versus an original erroneous report done by Department of Labor that motivated the US Chamber of Commerce to act; and d. the development of outreach programs for young veterans based on their dominant mode and methods of communication, cyberspace. I’ve been a long time member and leader in the older veterans organizations that provide dying NCO and officer club type venues and “command structures” that caused these clubs to fail on our posts/bases, because younger generations does not relate to them. Presidents and Governors seem to have selected lots of government appointees from the older organizations, yet the organizations didn’t seem effective in engaging the public about what needed to be done until IAVA stood up. Entrepreneurship training/boot camps, corporate employment development, and membership surveys using quantitative methods to determine issues versus the good ole boys . . . leading change is how IAVA has impacted the sector.
I originally joined this organization hoping to have a resource for my generation of combat veteran much like the VVA. Unfortunately I found an organization more interested in counting me as a number on their roster and less about providing any sort of unique support. Outside of lobbying on Capitol Hill I saw no tangible efforts to provide services to veterans that were not being offered already, and more effectively, by other organizations.
After repeated attempts to have my name and contact information deleted from their records I am still being contacted and can only assume being inaccurately counted among their membership. This correspondence has been in the form of asking for donations that will support "programs" to help veterans without any mention of said program or what exactly is being done.
I also believe the way in witch they have framed their legislative accomplishments has been misleading. I was inundated with messages about how "IAVA did this" or "IAVA accomplished that" as if they were the only voice on the hill and other VNGO's such as the American Legion, VFW, VVA, and DVA were not involved.
I give the IAVA one star and questions their administrative practices and over all organization.
There is a need for this organization because, let's face it, some of the other military organizations are not able to focus on the needs of this generation of veterans, whose views are often different from older veterans simply because of generational differences. However, when I see a headquarters in NYC and gala event invites with $500/ticket minimums (NYC gala) I become suspicious. Yes, the money will go toward lobbying etc in Washington DC but why would you HQ an organization in NYC with high costs and salaries unless there was something very vet-specific about NYC? Why not DC? I have seen too many nonprofits that seemed to be more about A-list parties (SLDN comes to mind) that funded more fundraising and salaries than provided actual services. IAVA is a needed voice in DC but they certainly weren't the only or strongest voices on recent legislative victories. Again, I think they're a much needed voice (my spouse served in Afghanistan) but explain to me why the NYC headquarters and, as another person noted, no elected officers of the organization to ensure it represents its membership views.
I think IAVA does a wonderful job of lobbying and marketing, but their organizational structure is flawed. They seem to have no elected leadership, but they play in the veteran membership space which is largely dominated by member-based organization that elect some portion of their leadership. However, they claim to be the go-to organization on all issues related to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. That is a little suspect to me: no elected officers in your membership based organization? Who votes on the policy issues? You folks are also missing a core component: Programs and Services. You are a young org so you have some work to do, but that's ok. Good effort all around.
Review from Guidestar
IAVA has been very effective in a number of areas, like getting better Federal legislation for vets, improving awareness and support for vets problems, and mutual support systems for vets.
This also includes real big areas like jobs for vets, which is perhaps the highest priority matter for veterans, and their spouses. They're arguably the most important support groups for recent vets.
Previous Stories
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America provided me with the opportunity to lend soldiers and veterans a voice during a time when it was controversial to speak of these occupations in public, let alone in a public forum. Leading up to the 2006 midterm elections, IAVA answered my call when I sought to give IAVA soldiers/vets the opportunity to sit on panels of Democracy for America's Iraq War Forums throughout New Jersey. Back in 2005, they were nowhere near as large or recognizable as they have become today. After seeing a film with features IAVA, then known as Operation Truth, I worked to secure a screening at Rutgers which catalyzed a 30 campus tour through the Center for American Progress. My husband and I have donated to IAVA significantly because of the legislative and social advocacy work they continue to tangibly do for soldiers and vets of these wars. We both come from relatives who fought in wars past and although we do not have immediate family serving in these wars, we feel a great duty to lend awareness about these populations, their families, and give what we can to ensure they are supported. These people are part of our collective family as part of our great nation. I could not be more proud of the work IAVA continues to do.
I come from a military family and IAVA is absolutely amazing. Full stop. Growing up in South Texas and watching the Vietnam war on the evening news as a kid had a definite impact on my view of the military. I was too young to do anything to help those men and women that came home to a general public that did not understand what it meant and means to serve. Whatever your politics might be, I believe that you still honor the soldier and his or her sacrifice no matter what. IAVA and its' mission are long overdue in my estimation.
IAVA has done so much great work for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. From the New GI Bill to advanced funding for the VA to so much more, they are ahead of the pack by far!
OK...let's be honest. What programs or services does IAVA provide? A website- That doesn't count in my book. Oh, ok, free tickets to ball games. Nice try. Pretty strong marketing and fundraising machine which lobbies quite a bit on capitol hill. Actually, thank you for the lobbying, but you all know quite well you don't do much more than that. Love to see IAVA step up and provide substantial programs to veterans. I give you 2 stars instead of one...mostly for the lobbying. However, lobbying shouldn't be the focus of a 501c3 nonprofit.
I had been struggling with ways to stay connected with issues facing returning members of the military. At the Veteran's Day Parade in NYC, I saw the IAVA shirts and went to their site. The site is remarkably detailed and gives you the option to receive alerts based on how often you would like to hear from them.
I think the challenge for any NPO, but especially IAVA, is that they are trying to communicate so much information at once. I think IAVA does a good job of presenting a lot of complex information in a digestible way.
My experience is that someone who goes to an NPO website wants to take immediate action. They want to know what they can do that day to start to help. IAVA has a great take action section. My one thought might be a tab for supporters that says, mission critical -- or the like -- for things that literally are immediate. Example: "Veterans in NY need ___ by next Tuesday". Something like this may exist because I rely on the alerts I have emailed to know immediate needs vs website.
The organize section provides very tangible action items for civilians to support.
I think the site is manageable and not confusing to use. It seems to have the end user in mind.
My heart broke when our troops went into Iraq and Afghanistan. I experience great sadness when a life is lost or forever damaged. This is why I have supported IAVA since its beginnings. Our troops deserve an organization that fights for them on every front and IAVA is there. Not everyone concerns themselves over these wars. Only those directly affected or strongly attentive seem to care . I feel proud to be able to be there for our troops, in what little way I can, to help IAVA continue to champion for our veterans of these unfortunate wars.
As an advocate for veterans and all of the multiple problems they face when they return to civilian life, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is one of the best. Their ability to lobby Congress is outstanding and tireless. Best of all, it is veterans working for veterans. The slogan 'We've Got Your Back' means just that.
Their daily blog keeps me aware of what is happening in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Military establishment, and Congress. That's more than I get from the media.
And any donation is followed by an acknowldegement. Your donation does not disappear into an organistional 'black hole'.
I would recommend this organization to any person who wishes to help those veterans who gave and sacrificed so much and have returned to both a painful and uncertain future.
I am so humbled by those willing to risk their lives for the rest of us. All of my dealings with IAVA (on the phone, via email) have been incredibly positive and I will continue my monthly donations to them as long as I am possibly able. I urge others to do the same - it is the least we can do for these incredible men and women.
I was looking for a charity to support that focused on the young people who served in Iraq or Afghanistan. This is the most proactive and best run option. I plan to continue to support them.
I first heard of IAVA when a castmember of a reality TV show marched with the IAVA in a Veterans Day parade in one of the episodes.
I then went to the IAVA web site to gain additional information on the organization. I was very impressed with its "mission statement" and thru email updates received from IAVA learned that it is an excellent organization to support. They are very agressive helping veteran's who seek their support and are on the "cutting edge" of using "social networking."
I have been moved by the sacrafices made by the men and women serving in OEF and OIF and want to make some small contribution to support them when their service is over. I believe that IAVA is in a perfect position to support these men and women as they return to life in the U.S
I'm happy with what you do, but I am disappointed in my own state of Wisconsin and their refusal to spend money to prevent suicides!