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.

Stories are strongholds and strategies for the mind’s frontline

Veteran READS program brochure with photos of veterans and text

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 all veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, and their families.

Program mission

We equip veterans for the mind’s frontline, one story at a time. We help individuals recognize that the tales we tell (and those we don’t) are strongholds of safety, strategies for progress, and survival tactics shaped by experience, both for ourselves and others. That’s the beauty of narrative: it brings order to chaos, coherence to confusion, and meaning to memory, for in every story, we find another necessary chapter in the field guide for life.

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:

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.

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 at the Veteran's Community Project's Commissary Space (8825 Troost Ave Kansas City, MO, 64131) will be held the 3rd Wednesday in each month for 2025. The individual dates are as follows: