The Spirit of Service in a New Community

This blog post was written by Dylan Tête, Planning Chief of the Urban Area Security Initiative in the New Orleans Region.   

Since 2001, thousands of American service members and military families have experienced severe debilitating wounds from combat or the traumatic loss of a loved one.  As the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks approaches, Bastion and Generations of Hope are hosting a planning summit to conceptualize the very first intergenerational community designed for those who have been impacted by trauma and loss during the War on Terror.  Imagine a supportive community of injured veterans, their families, and bereaved military families in an intentional neighborhood of reciprocal service with caring senior residents.  Think community as intervention.

On September 11th, we will convene a working group of 18 participants that will adapt the award-winning Generations of Hope Community model to launch Bastion from compelling idea to viable concept. This facilitated discussion at HRI Properties in New Orleans will generate innovative thinking and address Bastion’s concept, strategic development, and operational sustainability.  The group of 18 participants will include recognized subject experts, project stakeholders, and representatives of the target population Bastion will serve.

All of us have unique talents that can be harnessed in service to others, especially those who have served in uniform.  At Bastion, a spirit of mutual care, reciprocal service, and all-inclusive support will be shared by each injured veteran, survivor, and service-oriented elder through mentorship, tutoring, and instilling the courage to live on.