Overview

The Veteran's Spouse Project gives voice to the experiences of veterans’ spouses across generations by providing opportunities for creativity and healing through the arts, while helping to bridge the gaps between civilian and military communities. With less than one percent of the nation's citizens serving in our all-volunteer force during a twenty-year war, cultural competence of what military families experience is increasingly important for creating a sense of belonging. Military family resilience is, in large part, contingent on an effective, culturally-competent support network within the community (Unger, 2019). This resilience directly benefits the health and well-being of our nation's military. I Will Wait: Using actual spouses’ experiences, I Will Wait weaves these stories together through a theatrical production. The story begins in 1945 at the end of World War II and travels through “forgotten” Korea, the volatile Vietnam era, Desert Storm, and ends with spouses caught in the current cycle of war and deployment. With almost 70% of military families living off-installation, they are increasingly reliant on their local communities for support and resources that meet their needs. It is imperative that the community has an understanding of the experiences of military spouses. • Made For You: Our workshops offer the opportunity for veterans’ spouses to get in touch with their own stories about the military lifestyle by guiding participants through a series of mindfulness and creative arts activities. Our facilitator offers tips, healthy communication, and self-care activities to address stress. Stories We Tell: This program’s mission is to preserve the stories of America’smilitary spouses and families across generations.