Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation brings permanently disabled veterans together with caring community teams that provide housing, transportation, education, employment, mentoring and ongoing support for up to four years. We call this assistance a “scholarship,” although our emphasis is on establishing self-sufficiency rather than on earning a degree.
It is the mission of Sentinels of Freedom to assist severely wounded/permanently disabled veterans in their efforts to become productive, self-sufficient, integrated members of their local communities upon their return to civilian life.
Sentinels of Freedom was established to meet an entirely new social need. In past wars, the medical treatment and resources available was insufficient to save severely wounded veterans, nor was our society willing to assist and support them. Today, the technology to save these lives and the will to help are both present. Sentinels of Freedom provides unique resources for severely wounded veterans—resources that go beyond what the Veterans Administration or other organizations can provide. This is long-term support for severely wounded/permanently disabled veterans, enabling them to learn how to live with their disabilities, set new life and career goals, and become active participating members in their communities.
Sentinels of Freedom started as a grass roots organization to assist one returning soldier in 2003. Since that time, Sentinels of Freedom has assisted over 120 Veterans across the US. All Veterans in the program are rated with a 60% or higher permanent disability rating by Veterans Affairs. These injuries include (but are not limited to) blindness, severe burns, Traumatic Brain Injury and amputations. The Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship program includes post-secondary education, mentorship, financial assistance and employment for up to four years.
The Sentinels of Freedom program affords the veterans the time to adapt to their new physical challenges and surroundings as they work their way back to a life of complete self-sufficiency. The goal of Sentinels of Freedom is to provide severely wounded veterans with the resources and support needed to live active, engaged and successful lives as they recover from physical, emotional and psychological injuries. The program helps our returning warriors learn to live with their disabilities, and work towards personal self-sufficiency.
Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship recipient Hein Tran talks about what the program has meant to him.
Sentinels of Freedom is part of my second chance of life. Being a Sentinel gave me my sense of Duty, Purpose and Service back which I thought I had lost, while I was recovering from my injuries at Walter Reed Hospital. Mr. Mike Conklin, founder of Sentinels of Freedom built this program with a solid foundation of Respect, Integrity and Commitment for me to stand up and walk forward on. This program means more to me than words can type to describe. I would have nothing today if the Sentinels of Freedom did not believe in me. My wife and I are very grateful for all that things that Sentinels of Freedom has provided for us. It’s more than just a second chance, it’s HOPE.
To learn more visit: www.sentinelsoffreedom.org Email info@sentinelsoffreedom.org or call
925 380 6342 ext 2