Member Benefits
The Wounded Warrior Wives program was created to support women who care for a service member who has been wounded, injured or ill while on active duty. This kind of responsibility brings with it a host of circumstances that may feel unbearable. We want to honor you as you sacrifice, behind the scenes, with little or no recognition for your efforts. The Wounded Warrior Wives program offers a range of free services to empower you in your challenging role as caregiver. To us, you are heroes in your own right.
Who is eligible for membership in the Wounded Warrior Wives program?
To be eligible to join the program you must be the wife, mother, fiancée, girlfriend, sibling, or other female caregiver to a wounded warrior whose wound, illness, or injury occurred after Sept. 11. In addition, you will need to provide documentation for review which can include one of the following:
• Medical
documentation that states diagnosis
• VA documentation of injuries/illness
• Purple Heart award letter
What are the benefits of Wounded Warrior Wives membership?
As a member of the Wounded Warrior Wives program, you have access to some great membership benefits:
Retreats
During the year, WWW offers retreats around the country for members of our program to attend for free. At the retreats, you will be able to share your story with other women that have found themselves in similar situations and, together, you can learn how to cope in your role as a caregiver and learn more about:
• Invisible wounds such as PTSD and TBI
• How to cope with your role as a caregiver
• Deep relaxation techniques
• Solutions unique to your needs
The retreats are within driving distance and are of no cost to you. The registration fees, meals, and hotel room are all free. You only need to cover your travel expenses to get to the event. In most cases, we try to place retreats within driving distance for area caregivers, but you are welcome to register for any retreat if you have the means to get there. Registration for a retreat does not guarantee participation. A selection committee will make final selection decision.
Care Packages
New members will receive a special Caregiver Care Package, courtesy of a generous anonymous donor, and Operation Homefront. This package is full of items to remind caregivers that effectively caring for others requires that they take some time and energy to care for themselves.
Online Forum
Our virtual community features an online discussion forum that is private and protected by login. Here you can ask any question, share every struggle and encourage each other in your unique roles. One program member recently wrote,” It's nice to know that we're not crazy and not alone.” Members frequently comment that they don’t have support groups nearby and” it is always great to talk with other wives that have even an inkling of an idea of what I go through daily!” You can access the forum anywhere you have internet access.
One-on-One Support
The issues you deal with are serious and often need professional attention. If you need answers to your specific situation, we have a clinical psychologist who can consult with you personally and give you guidance during tough times.
Support Groups
We have support groups in Texas, Maryland, California, Washington and North Carolina and are working to start more around the country. These local groups will help you connect to other wounded warrior wives in the area providing a strong foundation of support for your daily challenges and someone you can call when you need a little encouragement or advice.
Resources
We provide online resources to programs or services that may also benefit you in your role as a caregiver of a wounded warrior. Click here to access the many resources we recommend or contact a member of our team for additional resources that might be better suited for your specific needs.