Jermaine Husser: Palmetto Warrior Connection

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AUG. 12, 2014 — Rotary Club of Charleston former member and Past-President, Jermaine Husser, shared his passion with Club members this week about his latest undertaking as the initial Executive Director of the Palmetto Warrior Connection (“PWC”).  PWC has been created to find and reach out to military veterans in our community and assist them with finding resources they may need related to education, housing, employment, mental health counseling, and other issues. PWC hopes to be a “first stop” for veterans transitioning back into the community.

PWC is in its infancy and is being “incubated” by Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina, Inc.  It does not yet have a logo or brochures and is at a “grassroots” level.  Within the next three years, PWC hopes to raise money, firmly establish its mission, and become an independent 501(c)(3) organization. PWC has received initial funding and other resources from Goodwill and from the Wounded Warrior Program.

Husser said that PWC differs from Wounded Warrior, which only serves injured veterans.  PWC also differs from other veteran-related service organizations that are reactive, not proactive.  Husser said PWC is unique in that it does not wait for veterans to come asking for help.  Rather, it seeks out veterans in our community and ensures that they have all necessary resources to reintegrate into society and succeed.  Every member of the current PWC team is a veteran, an active member of the military, or a military spouse.  The team is thus well equipped to understand the needs and sufferings of veterans.

Husser emphasized that we live in the greatest country on earth, and our veterans have earned the right to such transitional services.  This is not a “handout,” said Husser.  Rather, these benefits were earned, and veterans need our “support, energy, and effort.” Husser said that Rotarians and other interested individuals can assist through financial donations as well as by providing job opportunities and mentoring for veterans.

— Submitted by Amy Jenkins, Keyway Committee