Wounded Warrior Project's Impact

Dante said goodbye to his mom, Beth King, on his 5th birthday. Beth had enlisted in the Army and would be gone for 12 weeks for basic training before serving five years, including a deployment to Afghanistan when Dante was six. “I was the only caregiver he had known until I went into the military,” said Beth, a single mom who joined the Army to give her family a better life.

Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) is helping veterans better prepare for their financial future through an empowerment grant designed to build financial confidence and reduce financial stress. With support from the USAA Educational Foundation (USAAEF), this grant allows warriors to improve their financial skills in a timeframe that works for them.

Growing up as a military kid means embracing adventure, a sense of service, and the ability to adapt. However, it also brings challenges. Frequent deployments or relocations can make it harder for military children to build lasting friendships, manage stress, and navigate their well-being.

Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) recently brought a group of wounded veterans and active-duty service members to the nation’s capital for the nonprofit’s annual Soldier Ride^® DC event. Soldier Ride is a multi-day adaptive cycling event that empowers wounded warriors by building camaraderie and confidence through movement. The program equips warriors to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of cycling and an active lifestyle for years to come.

It can be as simple as a dinner or as complex as multiple days of bonding, but social connection is at the heart of everything Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) does. And with good reason. In 2023, the U.S. surgeon general issued a report about the nation’s epidemic of loneliness and isolation, noting that about 1 in 2 adults in the U.S. experience loneliness.