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AFTER WAR
Self Through Service
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Self Through Service helps veterans heal by repurposing their skills to assist others, building a sense of purpose through acts of service.
When veterans lose their sense of purpose, they often feel isolated and adrift. Many seek meaning by aligning with causes that allow them to help others This sense of purpose through altruistic work helps restore their value, reconnects them to community, and aids in healing emotional and spiritual wounds.
Humanitarian work heals moral injury by rebuilding social bonds and providing purpose through meaningful contributions.
Our philosophy is built on the belief that acts of service is a powerful tool for healing moral injury in veterans. Many who experience moral injury struggle with guilt, shame, and a loss of purpose after their service. By engaging in meaningful humanitarian work, they can begin to rebuild their moral framework, reconnect with their values, and restore their sense of self-worth. Service provides a way to turn pain into purpose, allowing veterans to contribute to something greater than themselves while actively working to repair the harm they may have witnessed or experienced.
SPOTLIGHT: HURRICANE HELENE
When Hurricane Helene hit, we deployed into Western North Carolina to conduct Rescue and Recovery efforts, providing critical support to communities affected by the storm. The photo below was taken while conducting search and rescue missions in Chimney Rock, North Carolina just a couple days after the flood
The Rescue and Recovery efforts in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene were incredibly important for both the affected communities and the veterans involved. This initiative showed how acts of service can help veterans recover emotionally and regain a sense of well-being.
Innitiatives
Through initiatives like Disaster Relief, Search and Rescue, and Community Support, veterans find healing by directly helping those in need. These hands-on experiences create a sense of camaraderie, belonging, and renewed purpose, reinforcing that their skills and sacrifices still have value. By repurposing their experiences into acts of service, veterans not only support others but also find personal growth and emotional recovery, proving that healing comes not just from within but through meaningful action in the world around them.
Rescue & Recovery
We are building a team for search and rescue and recovery operations to help veterans learn new skills while supporting disaster-affected communities.
POTENTIAL RISKS WHEN SERVICE LACKS GUIDANCE
When acts of service are not structured or guided properly, they can have negative effects on veterans' mental health. Without proper support, veterans may overextend themselves, leading to burnout, emotional exhaustion, or retraumatization. If their efforts do not produce the intended impact, it may reinforce feelings of failure, frustration, or helplessness—especially for those already struggling with moral injury. Additionally, without mental health resources or peer support, veterans may use service as a way to avoid processing their own trauma rather than addressing it in a healthy, sustainable way. Our guided program is built with clear purpose, structure, and mental health support to ensure acts of service remain a source of healing for all rather than harm.
OAR IN ACTION
Ways To Get Involved
Join us and help continue the mission
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