I went on a long bike ride with another veteran's group and wanted to keep riding when I got home- but couldn't afford to make the expensive purchase (recumbent trike to mitigate balance issues after injury) on my own. The VA has a process for allowing certain exercise equipment, but I had already waited on this process for over 8 months. The Indy fund accepted my application and committed to help me make the purchase within the same week! My experience with them was so positive, in large part because I later attended an event with them and saw them work to serve injured vets, all on their own time and own dime. The fact that 100% of a contribution goes to the intended person really resonates with me.
The independence fund is the greatest organization. It helps a lot of allies' families, especially afghan women. The Afghan American culture class is a great opportunity to subsidize the family and navigate them to the right pathway to have a successful life in the U.S.
This nonprofit has provided great service to veterans worldwide. The advocacy has exceeded expectations.
I was injured in Viet Nam and never filed for disability until recently. Although my military medical records contained my hospitalization dates and information, the Veterans Administration was slow to process and award my claims. The Independence Fund and Alia Schenck has persistently monitored the claim process. We are still waiting for them to complete the Agent Orange Cancer claim event though it is a defined toxic chemical injury associated with field exposure. Alia has consistently pursued the settlement of my claim both directly and by providing direction to me for avenues of relief requests.
I have the honor of working for the Independence Fund. I am proud of the support we offer to our Veterans and Caregivers. I recently was allowed to attend a Caregiver's Self defense retreat in Colorado Springs. The amount of detail that went into the retreat to ensure each Caregiver was met where their needs were was phenomenal. The Independence Fund focuses on each person and truly has a heart for what they do.
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We recently purchased a new home. Within the first 6 months we experienced two separate water leaks. Thankfully with the help of the Independence at Home program, our mortgage was covered allowing us the necessary funds to do the repairs. We were so thankful and certainly appreciated this major blessing.
I am also so very blessed with the Independence Fund Caregivers program. I am so thankful to be able to meet up with other Caregivers on a monthly basis. As a Caregiver, we often feel alone or isolated. The Caregiver program is an amazing blessing to keep us connected even during the pandemic.
I cannot say enough about The Independence Fund! The deep commitment to serving Veterans and their families is the heart beat of this phenomenal organization. Sarah Verardo leads these great efforts setting the bar high for truly delivering necessary services and relevant programs to the War Fighter Community.
I work with the Independence Line, which is partnered with the Independence Fund. Our scope of work focuses on assisting Afghan refugees. The Independence Fund has been invaluable with providing referrals for clients to us and I have seen them do amazing things with their own clients. They helped an Afghan refugee family who had suffered a house fire to get back on their feet, get connected to churches and provide other types of support that they needed. They're truly miracle workers. And seeing them grow to help not only veterans but our allies has made me incredibly proud to work alongside them.
I had the opportunity to work with Alia on a case and her commitment and dedication the the veterans is infectious. She is very responsive and always willing to help when needed. The independence fund saves lives and is doing great work for those who have served our country.
Upon first learning of The Independence Fund, I was immediately drawn in to see how they help Veterans and their families. This organization goes above and beyond to serve the wounded heroes of our nation, plus they don't stop there: they continue to help their families and their caretakers after the initial help. I have had friends who have been helped by this group and I have had the opportunity to meet some of the workers in person and I am just so glad there are organizations out there that exist and do what they actually say they'r doing with the money they receive.
I had an opportunity to volunteer with the Independence Fund several times in the past few months and was amazed how much support this organization offers to the veterans and related parties. It's incredible to see happy and grateful veterans during their monthly drive through event where TIF provides food, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items to help them stay safe and still be able to meet basic needs during these challenging times.
Every TIF staff member I met was very passionate about helping veterans and it's mission. The work that TIF team does is truly inspirational!
I have spoken with multiple veterans who have benefited from The Independence Fund and their mission. This organization is clearly the real deal as they impact so many veteran's in varying ways. They will continue to be my chosen military related donation, and I suggest others do the same. So much good........
The Independence Fund provides outstanding resources and services to our nation's Veterans who are most in need and deserving of assistance. I have the utmost respect for everyone on staff and appreciate the care and support they provide to those who have sacrificed so much in the name of our nation's freedom.
I love working for the Independence Fund! As a Veteran, I know that they are really doing their best to serve our Veterans and their families, every day. I am inspired by the heart of this organization which has truly aspired and goes above and beyond to make sure no one has to struggle alone. Our programs are continuously being developed to realistically support Veterans and Families, in a way that is responsive to the needs of the community. It is a true honor to serve here and I am proud of the work we are doing.
The Independence Fund truly cares about our Veterans, Caregivers, and their families. They are like a disaster relief organization and meets the Veteran where they are in their journey and help wherever they can.
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TIF has been extremely supportive to my husband who is a catastrophically wounded Vietnam Veteran. They provided him with a trackchair several years ago, which has allowed him to traverse our 8 acres without fear of getting stuck and to go up in our local forests, which he loves. That trackchair provided the independence he desperately needed to remain independent.
They have also helped me, a caregiver to my husband, with a retreat last May to North Carolina to spend time with other caregivers of catastrophically wounded Veterans. I learned so much at that retreat from other women living in the same situation I have been living for so many years. I didn't ever realize there were other women out there who were having the same exact feelings, experiences and issues when dealing with the various entities and relationships as I was having. What a refreshing experience that was.
TIF has also provided resources and are assisting in obtaining a van with a lift for my husband. The Veteran's Administration couldn't fit my husband's truck with a much needed lift after he bought it in 2009. He is a bilateral above-knee amputee and is in his mid 70's now. How many men do you know in their 70s who lift their entire body up into a 4WD truck to be able to stay independent and drive themselves somewhere? He can't do it anymore without much pain from bilateral torn rotator cuffs. Thankfully, it is looking like that van is coming into fruition. A dream come true!
My husband and I went on the Vietnam veterans retreat had a wonderful time made many long time friends.
Donated to this organization because of my personal connection to a number of family members and friends who served in the military and found themselves in need of a champion once their service ended. The Independence Fund stepped in and provided the gap in services for family and friends in a way that no other organization has ever done. They made sure a warm hand off happend, VA issues were resolved, and helped with many other little things. As a donor they were quick to thank me for my contribution and made sure that I knew how the funds were being used. I am proud to give to this organization and encourage others to do so as well.
The Independence Fund continues to be an amazing organization that is focused on assisting our catastrophically wounded, ill, and injured Veterans, Caregivers, and their families. They went above and beyond this year to provide direct financial assistance to Veterans in need as a result of COVID-19. They meet the Veteran and Caregiver where they are and do everything in their power to assist.
The Independence Fund does great work with their caregivers programs and OpRes. They are one of the few Veterans groups that you can see the impact they make right in front of you.
Independence Fund has gone above and beyond to help my USMC wheelchair bound veteran husband gain some independence! They have also help me as a Veteran Caregiver be able to have respite that was much needed. ❤️
The Independence Fund, through their Operation Resiliency, did more for me in terms of mental and behavioral wellbeing than what years of individual and group therapy, and boatloads of medications, ever could. In just 4 days, this amazing nonprofit changed the lives of innumerable combat vets (and through them their families') in ways we never saw coming. The Independence Fund and Operation Resiliency staff is, without a doubt, the very best and second to none. This is an organization absolutely worth supporting.
My old unit had the honor of going through Operation Resiliency (OpRes) with the Independence Fund. OpRes provided my unit who deployed in 2005-2006 an opportunity to reunite and see each other. I figured that OpRes would have an impact on some men, but I was way off, it had a significant impact on every man. We had nearly 70 men attend and the activities that the Independence Fund planned allowed each man to start the healing process as well as communication for the men of the unit to look out for each other and prevent suicide within the ranks. OpRes had a profounding effect on all who attended and I consider the event the closest thing to a "silver bullet" to helping veterans with PTSD and suicide prevention.
Amazing organization! I’m so thankful to have had a recent opportunity to go on a mother-daughter retreat with my three daughters. The Independence Fund treated each one of us with understanding, appreciation and acceptance. We had fun, laughed, cried, learned new coping methods. Never will we forget our new friends nor time shared in Charlotte!
This is the most worthy program of support that focuses on veteran suicide prevention. As a participant, I had the privilege and honor of putting pieces of life back together. The opportunity of closure to the huge holes left in my heart after years of being lost. I cant not repay enough for the opportunity, I have donated to this charity and will continue to urge others to do the same. I hope this program reaches as many at risk units as possible.
Saving lives, that is the best and simplest way to explain what they are doing. It takes Veterans that served along side one another to heal the unseen wounds of combat, not therapist in a room. This organization has figured that out. Help them save more lives.
TIF is an amazing organization. They have been so gracious to my family in so many aspects. They’ve provided my husband with an all terrain chair that has given a wonderful sense of freedom. They have sent me on multiple refreshing, reviving caregiver retreats that have absolutely impacted my life for the better!
We are a healthier, happier family because of the Independence Fund.
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I was invited to attend a retreat in Charlotte, NC with independence fund. I had never been on any sort of retreat and had no idea what to expect.
Everyone was so kind. I felt like for the first time in eight years, everything was about ME.
I spend my life making sure other people live and often times forget that caring for myself is also a necessity.
The Independence fund hosted all of us and truly treated us like royalty. We were pampered and showered with so much love.
This retreat also gave me something I haven’t ever had: a support system of people that just ‘get it’. The friendships were instant and the memories will never be forgotten.
I left this retreat feeling refreshed and more like myself than I had in years.
Thank you Independence fund and Mary Margaret for hosting me, pampering me, and giving me this incredible opportunity to be revived!
It was an amazing opportunity to reconnect with the people I went to war with. After 14 years it was like we never were separated. I can’t thank the people behind this program enough. I’ll never not be an advocate of TIF and Operation Resiliency
Faun O'Neel - who runs the Independence Fund Caregiver Program - is amazing at her job. The retreats she hosts are top-notch and allowed me to recharge my mind and body so that I can tackle the big stuff going on at home.
The Independence Fund has been life changing for me as a Veteran Caregiver. The support and comraderie is absolutely amazing.
The Independence Fund staff treats Veterans and Caregivers with so much love and respect. Once you join The Independence Fund community, you truly become family.
What a wonderful organization that truly serves veterans of all eras. From the veteran, to the caregiver to the entire family, this organization provides tangible measures of support for all.
The Independence Fund goes above and beyond to not only help our Veterans but their families as well!
I’ve personally witnessed the impact on scores of veterans and their families lives in recent months. Remarkable!
Hello, my name is Sabrina and I am the mother/caregiver for my son who was a paratrooper. He deployed to AFG twice, and we were lucky enough that he wasn't wounded - but he came back with his share of issues to deal with. Being a parent CG is very isolating, it seemed that all the non-profits are geared toward the spouses that are caregivers, or only for catastrophically wounded veterans. I was feeling very alone, until I was told about the Independence Fund, and was able to join a couple CG groups on FaceBook. I have found a handful of other mothers out there (and even fathers!) and it's so helpful to be able to share my concerns about being a caregiver and mother.
I was able to attend a mother's retreat with the Independence Fund in October 2017 and it was so wonderful!!! There were 9 moms, we were able to discuss our personal stresses, and ways to deal with different aspects of caregiving and parenting. I noticed that the Indy Fund has a Father's retreat this year too - that is so cool because I'm sure that the dads feel even more isolated.
My son has been on two events with this group, and it's so good for him to be with other veterans that have shared experiences. He always comes home rejuvenated and like he can continue going for a while longer. Those two retreats did more for my son than all the psychologists at the VA have!
Other than on a personal level, I have seen the other things that Indy Fund does for the veterans, their families and for the military/veteran/caregiving community at large. This is an amazing group and they do so much good - and I think one of the better (if not the best) things about this group is that they are NOT only post 9/11, like so many other non-profits are.
(The photo is my family the night of my son's second deployment - mom was trying to not cry!)
This is one amazing group. The respite I received was so helpful in recharging my energy. When I became a caregiver to my husband Todd, nine years ago, I had no knowledge about what to expect on caring for someone and even though I couldn't imagine not being his caregiver, it does take a toll on your own energy. Mary Margaret and her kind group helped us caregivers at a retreat in Seattle get pampered and enjoy just relaxing. It was so much fun being around others caring with moderately brain injured veterans who understand the complexity of life.
We were blessed to attend a couples retreat and it was so much fun making new couples friends who understand our lives and injuries. We are so thankful for what the Independence Fund does for our veterans and families.
Hello! My name is Melissa and I’m a caregiver to my husband who is 100% disabled. Before my husband’s injuries I was a full-time cosmetologist. After his injuries I was forced to stay home and take care of him as well as our three children. Life can be very overwhelming at times especially in the military life. My husband and my children are everything to me. If I said I never got overwhelmed that would be a lie! The Independence Fund caregiver retreat in Charlotte North Carolina helped me to connect with other women that knew what it was like having to take care of their husbands and their children all at once. It was very relaxing for me. I was able to regain myself, find respite, and relaxation. I could never say enough about this organization and how they help to me. (Even my husband thought so) I have been a better caregiver and mother to my children since this retreat! Thank you for all you do for our caregivers and our veterans!
Last Year I had the privilege of attending a retreat just for Mom's of Wounded Warriors in Charlotte, N.C., It was such a need in my life at the time and was so well directed that those of us that were so honored to be invited left with a lot more will power and self esteem to go on with our journey helping our child get the care they needed to get through the traumas and injuries of war.
I have been caring for my Son for the past 8 years, I gave up my career and retired to be there for him . My heart was broken to see my son who had done 21 years of service with 4 deployments to Iraq go from a proud happy and very compassionate man to a broken down not caring what came next or what we as the family saw caring about how this all affected us. He was in constant pain, never left the house except for medical appointments gave up all the things he loved like his music and golf and doing what he could for those around him. I am always so stressed not knowing when I wake up each day what that day will bring so what the Independence Fund did for me in that retreat was so needed showing me that taking care of myself was a must as well as my health goes so I could be there for my son. I was so broken before the retreat but have made new friends with whom we all keep in touch with each other and cry on each others shoulders which in itself is a great therapy. This organization has other activities for our Veterans as well as getting them the equipment they may need to make life more meaningful for them. To know this organization is out there for us when we need them means the world to me as I am sure it does to other Caregivers and their wounded veterans.
The Independence Fund helped my son find his desire to live again by providing time at the After The Impact facilities in Michigan. This program, along with The Independence Fund, helped him learn how to adjust to his injuries from his service in Afghanistan, how to deal with life’s ups and downs, and how to find friends that he could relate to and turn to.
I attended a Moms Caregiver Retreat where I learned to remember to take care of me, met other Moms who were walking in my shoes, and made friends to share my experiences, good and bad, with.
My family has benefited from the donors who have given financially to The Independence Fund. I urge you to support them with your money, your assistance, and your prayers as I do.
Thank you to everyone who helps The Independence Fund help our Wounded Warriors and their families.
I was able to attend a caregiver retreat two years ago with the Independence Fund. This retreat was not only a fun bonding time with others going through the same thing I am, but informational and educational for me. It helped to teach me coping skills as well as helped me remember who I was as a person before my care-giving role became the focus. I found the confidence to go back to college after 28 year break and refocus my role to allow some time to improve me. Caring for my husband with a TBI as well as mother to 5 children and I forgot who I was as a person. I am happier and healthier now thanks to Independence Fund.
We desperately needed a new bed. My husband has a back injury and our bed at the time was not holding up and really affecting his back and his mood because of the pain. The independence fund helped us with an amazing bed! We can’t say thank you enough! We both get amazing sleep! Thank you!!
I also was able to attend a caregiver retreat with them! It was amazing to be around other caregivers and meet new people that share a common bond. It was healing and all around amazing. They went out of their way to make us feel relaxed and included.