Homefront Help is SIGNAL Connections’ effort to support U.S. service members, veterans and their families. The column highlights programs that offer resources and assistance to the military community ranging from care packages to benefits and everything in between.

In that same spirit, Homefront Help presents opportunities for readers to donate time and offer resources as well as to send words of thanks to those who sacrifice for freedom. Programs that provide services to the troops are listed in red. Opportunities for the public to reach out to service members are listed in blue. Each program description includes a link to the organization’s Web site, when available.
 
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
www.taps.org
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) cares for families who have lost loved ones in military service, working to fill the gap in support after an official casualty case file is closed. The founders of TAPS discovered that the tragedy from losing a loved one to military duty differed from other loss because those left behind share pride in the deceased’s service to the nation and sadness about that ultimate sacrifice. The founders determined that the best support came from the private sector by peers who had the empathy and knowledge to help those facing the sudden loss.

TAPS assists survivors through a variety of programs including peer support, an online community and the National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors. TAPS also has a crisis intervention hotline, information on grief and trauma resources, and answers to questions on issues such as benefits and burials. The services are available to anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one in the armed forces regardless of relationship, circumstance or geographic location.

The Web site includes information on how to access the TAPS programs and resources as well as on honoring the fallen, youth programs, helping friends and more.
 
Sentinels of Freedom
www.sentinelsoffreedom.org
Sentinels of Freedom awards scholarships to wounded veterans—but this money does not lead to a degree. Instead, the organization provides “life scholarships” in an effort to help the injured readjust to civilian life and their new physical challenges. Through donations of time, money, goods and scholarships, veterans receive housing, transportation and employment and education assistance. They also are connected to a team of volunteers that provides guidance, mentoring and friendship during a four-year program.

The teams include up to 10 business professionals with associations relevant to the components of the program. They mobilize to carry out the Sentinels of Freedom mission in their communities, coordinating and managing donations and preparing for the veterans’ arrivals, including a welcome home ceremony.

The Web site offers a wealth of information including details about sponsoring a veteran, applying for the program, donating, establishing volunteer teams, securing resources and providing on-going mentorship.
 
The Troops Need You
www.troopsneedyou.com
Born from a book that was born from an essay, The Troops Need You program delivers warfighters what they need to succeed in Iraq including medical and school supplies, generators and toolsets that create jobs and improve quality of life for local Iraqis. The idea behind the effort is to motivate Iraqis to take up the mission so U.S. troops can stand down and return home. Organization officials use donations to deliver goods to the battalions patrolling neighborhoods in Iraq. They recently donated more than $5,400 in medical supplies to the U.S. Army’s 1-28 Infantry Battalion. Information about mailing donations or contributing funds electronically is available on the Web site. 
 
Soldiers’ Angels
www.soldiersangels.com
Driven by the mantra “May no soldier go unloved,” volunteers with this organization support military members of any service and their loved ones. In addition to sending hundreds of thousands of care packages and letters to deployed troops, Soldiers’ Angels has provided First Response Packs to hospitals overseas including those in combat areas; given care and comfort to service members hospitalized stateside; donated aid to military families in need; provided flights to troops on leave or in emergency situations and to family members so they can greet their loved ones upon return from Iraq or Afghanistan; supplied level III Kevlar Armor blankets; and helped families to honor fallen heroes. The public can donate money or other resources, or adopt a specific service member. More information is available online. 
 
The SIGNAL Connections staff encourages readers to take advantage of the programs mentioned in this column and to pass along the information. In addition, if you know of a program that is helping service personnel, please let us know about it. Submit that information to SIGNAL's news editor.

The SIGNAL Connections staff has made every effort to verify the legitimacy of these programs and to include information accurate at the time of publication. Inclusion in this column does not constitute an endorsement by AFCEA International or SIGNAL Connections.