Veteran R.E.A.D.S.
In 2025 we are starting a VRP Speaker Series, and the first speaker will be Jason Kander, former MO Secretary of State and author of Invisible Storm: A Soldiers Memoir of Politics & PTSD. He will be coming to speak at the Truman Habitat for Humanity (501 N. Dodgion St., Independence, MO 64050) on May 19th from 5-7pm.
Empowering Veterans Through Story
The Veteran R.E.A.D.S. Program harnesses the profound power of storytelling and story analysis to build resilience, enhance education, drive advocacy, foster meaningful dialogue, and promote service among veterans (Carless & Douglas, 2016; Cleave, 2023; Pavlacic et al., 2022).
By addressing the unique challenges faced during the reintegration into civilian life, this program not only supports individual well-being but ultimately strengthens the fabric of our communities (Willsey, 2022; Indiana University School of Medicine, 2023).
Program overview
Program participants
Free for any veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. Program participants receive a free copy of the anthology Standing Down: From Warrior to Civilian by The Great Books Foundation.(Non-veteran groups and non-MU faculty/staff are asked to refrain from attending).
Program mission
To use storytelling and story analysis as strategic tools to help uniformed service members and their families strengthen communication, camaraderie, and catharsis.
Program goals
- Develop skills of inquiry and critical analysis for unpacking fiction and nonfiction narratives.
- Investigate story’s significance in relation to individual experience and differing perspectives.
- Cultivate a space of authentic dialogue, where participants may speak freely and truthfully.
- Foster a sanctuary-culture that begets trust, belongingness, camaraderie, and community.
- Strengthen participants’ networks, resource familiarity, and support systems.
- Create opportunities for community service, projects, and/or development.
Program objectives
- Reinforced understanding of narratives, both public and personal.
- Strengthened skills of inquiry and critical analysis for understanding both story and self.
- Engaged conversations, meaningful interactions, and sustained relationships.
- Increased feelings of trust, belongingness, camaraderie, and community.
- Improved awareness of and access to resources and support systems for veteran communities.
- Established connections and/ or opportunities in the community for service and/ or projects.
Events
2025 Monday Night Meeting Schedule at Truman Habitat for Humanity's Hiram Young School: 501 N. Dodgion St., Independence, MO 64050:
- Jan. 13, 1700-1830
- Jan. 27, 1700-1830
- Feb. 10, 1700-1830
- Feb. 24, 1700-1830
- Mar. 10, 1700-1830
- Mar. 24, 1700-1830
- Apr. 7, 1700-1830
- Apr. 21, 1700-1830
- May 5, 1700-1830
- May 19 * (Jason Kander speaking and signing copies of Invisible Storm: A Soldiers Memoir of Politics & PTSD, 1700-1900)
- Jun. 2, 1700-1830
- Jun. 16, 1700-1830
- Jun. 30, 1700-1830
- Jul. 28, 1700-1830
- Aug. 11, 1700-1830
- Aug. 25, 1700-1830
- Sep. 8, 1700-1830
- Sep. 22, 1700-1830
- Oct 6, 1700-1830
- Oct. 20, 1700-1830
- Nov. 3, 1700-1830
- Nov. 17, 1700-1830
- Dec. 1, 1700-1830
- Dec. 15, 1700-1830
Sessions are starting at the Mid-Continent Library's Woodneath Story Center (8900 Flintlock Road, Kansas City, MO 64127) on the 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 5:00-6:30pm.
- Jan. 21, 1700-1830
- Feb. 18, 1700-1830
- Mar. 18, 1700-1830
- Apr. 14, 1700-1830
- May 20, 1700-1830
- Jun. 17, 1700-1830
- Jul. 15, 1700-1830
- Aug. 19, 1700-1830
- Sep. 16, 1700-1830
- Oct. 21, 1700-1830
- Nov. 11, 1700-1830 (Veterans Day)
- Dec. 16, 1700-1830
Sessions are also starting at the Veteran's Community Project's Commissary Space (8825 Troost Ave Kansas City, MO, 64131). As of now, there is only one session scheduled:
- Jan. 15, 1700-1830
We will no longer be meeting at the Dorthy Day Cabin in Parkville, MO.
Contact us for more information on Veteran R.E.A.D.S. events
Partners
Veteran R.E.A.D.S.
News
