One of the most underserved group of military veterans are the women warriors. And the reason they are underserved is because they have different issues and support needs than their male counterparts, the segment most veteran programs are tailored to support. Recently the program received a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education which provided the funding that allowed the program to develop and expand its offerings.
Eight Years In the Making …
The MPK Executive Director, Elizibeth Herrera, a veteran herself, said the planning for Mission Promise Kept began eight years ago and finally hosted its first group of women veterans in 2022. The program is built around establishing the community, safety, and support that is unique to women transitioning out of the military. Based on the campus of the all-women’s Stephens College in Missouri, MPK is starting its second year of supporting women veterans.
Mission
The mission of MPK is to “empower women veterans to earn college degrees, achieve personal success and attain financial independence.” They do this by providing the full spectrum of living and learning requirements in a safe environment, including academic, mental health, legal, medical and social services that most women veterans need.
Women veterans enrolled in the program live in their own freshly remodeled one- or two-bedroom apartments on campus. One floor of Columbia Hall was designed to support the needs of women veterans with children and/or pets. All support services provided by advisors/advocates and professionals that are available round-the-clock and located on campus, so the veterans never have to leave the safe environment of the campus while going through the program unless they want to. There is also a concierge service on campus that assists with legal matters, health care, job placement, degree program options and other school opportunities. The services and support available form a safety net for these women that help with transitioning them back into the civilian world.
Dependent children living with their mothers attend either the on-campus Children’s school or attend neighboring public schools. For children not yet of school age, there is on campus child care provided for the mothers that need it.
According to the Women Veterans Transitioning to Civilian Life paper, women veterans are the fastest-growing segment of veterans. Women veterans also face some unique challenges since 1in 4 of them were victims of sexual trauma or assault, which in most cases results in some level of PTSD from mild to full-blown.
Students enrolled in the MPK program can use their GI Bill to offset the cost of tuition and room and board. They also acquire college credit for certain military training and certification earned while serving thereby shortening their time to a degree.
This unique transition program tailored just to women veterans is unlike any other program out there right now. But in many cases, it is just the lifeline many of these women need to get past their bad military experiences, back on their feet and ready to meet the civilian world.
