Kathy & Pat Vick launched Community Heroes Project after seeing the needs of Vietnam Veterans and military returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, as well as our growing concern for the safety of our First Responders.

Patrick Vick enlisted in the Army shortly before the end of the Vietnam War. He has served as a volunteer Firefighter for eleven years.

Kathy Vick has Life coached people in transition for nine years. She began to see growing statistics of displaced and unemployed Veterans. Specifically, she learned that many women were not finding work after returning to civilian life.

They are mission-minded people who have served in numerous volunteer capacities and want to be a part of helping our Veterans come home, receive healing and have a hope and vision for their future.

Our vision is that every individual who has served in the Military or as a First Responder would know their community’s gratitude and commitment to their well-being.

Our Veterans face key challenges that may differ depending on their individual circumstances, but the needs fall into the following main categories:

• Financial instability
• Affordable housing
• Homelessness & Isolation
• Emotional healing, mental health and drug abuse,

• A search for reconnection to spouse/family unit
• Integration back into civilian work force.

We want to address the growing number of Volunteer Firefighters working with old trucks, out of compliance turnout gear and unsafe equipment like, SCBA self-contained breathing apparatus due to lack of funds.

Our goal is to involve numerous businesses, as well as communities to both share the burden by their involvement in strategic projects.

Community Heroes Project initially will be funded primarily through corporate and individual donations and church/business support. Over time, we will research and apply for appropriate grants, as warranted.

Community Heroes Project has one part-time employee, Kathleen Vick. Our leadership team works with her, providing direction, accountability and support. The leadership team comprises the

• Support
• Information Gathering
• Promotion/Marketing/Fundraising
• Mentoring

• Outreach: Community Connection and Giving Back
• Volunteer Training/Support
• Other Support Team (as needs arise)

Kathleen Vick is a Life coach/writer/designer with over 20 years of experience in both for-profit and non-profit communications. She has worked for various causes, Blanket Coverage Ministry, Reality Rally, Feeding The Homeless, Prison Ministry, Sunset Presbyterian Church, and the like, and has won several awards for her work. In addition to her communication skills, Kathy is also adept at marketing. She written articles for magazines and published three books on parenting and life changes including, Lessons in Buoyancy (Revell), 7 Reasons to Be Grateful You’re The Mother of a Blended Family (New Leaf Press), Run Like A Girl (Simon & Schuster). Her coaching empowers women for their next great adventure www.runlikeagirl.org.