A recent grant awarded to Veterans Heritage Project (VHP) from Thunderbirds Charities will support the organization’s character and civic education program which Connects Students with VeteransTM.
Civic learning experts agree that civic education must include service-learning or project-based activities, because these experiences are necessary for students to build communication and collaboration skills, to be exposed to people with different perspectives, and to learn how to engage with the greater community. (Brookings Institute, 2020)
Thanks to Thunderbirds Charities funding, Veterans Heritage Project provides such activities through their innovative after-school program. Middle school and high school students interview a veteran, research history, and write and publish the veterans’ experiences into a hardbound book entitled Since You Asked.TM Students organize a free community book reception to honor their veterans and present them with the book. On August 14, 2022 at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas, fifteen local school partners and their honored veterans will gather for this memorable event. The public is welcome and will have the opportunity to meet veterans during a book signing. https://www.veteransheritage.org/bookreception
Grant funds are helping students reach their potential and bonding our community through increased civic engagement. Annual student and veteran surveys indicate that 100% of students graduate high school, 90% are increasing their leadership, academic, and 21st century skills, and 85% of students develop a mentoring relationship with a veteran. On average, 25% of veterans tell their story for the first time, 62% find the experience cathartic, and 100% would recommend participating to another veteran.
This grant is part of the Fall 2021 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees.