C.A.R.E.
About the Program
Our C.A.R.E. Program was developed during COVID-19 after facing suicide attempts and psychotic breakdowns within our community. We immediately implemented a strategic working group solely focused on handling these situations and finding resources to help.
Our C.A.R.E. Program offers a comprehensive roadmap to approaching veterans in critical need. The acronym stands for:
Community
Staying connected with our community allows us to recognize healthy behaviors and maintain a supportive community.
Assess
When we see something, we say something. Following the different paths of assessment and recognizing unhealthy behaviors, we can identify the need for additional support.
Resources
Once a need for additional support is identified, we bring in resources and walk the individual in need directly to care.
Evaluate
We follow up and encourage them to utilize the resources or see if there is an additional need. Then return to Community to continue to stay connected.
Resources
Veteran Surf Alliance
Veteran Surf Alliance connects military veterans to share the gift of surfing. The Veteran Surf Alliance is a community of military veterans based out of Santa Cruz, Pacifica, and Pismo, California, who meet weekly to share the stoke of surfing.
Bombs and Barrels
The Bombs & Barrels Podcast is hosted by Lance Iunker, a combat-wounded veteran, surfer, small business owner, speaker, writer, and Operation Surf alumni. The Bombs & Barrels Podcast is a direct response to Lance’s life being changed forever by surfing and the ocean. Come on this incredible journey to find stoke as Bombs & Barrels explores the inspiring stories of veterans and surfers who have been transformed through the power of surfing and the ocean.
One More Wave
One More Wave’s mission is to provide wounded and disabled veterans with customized surfing equipment and community. By equipping the veteran and guiding them to their global community of surfing volunteers, One More Wave enables the veterans to achieve surf therapy all over the world.
Operation Healing Forces
The mission of Operation Healing Forces (OHF) is to serve the needs of our active-duty and recent-veteran wounded, ill, and injured Special Operations Forces (SOF) and their spouses by starting or continuing the process of mentally, physically, and emotionally healing in preparation to return to the fight or transition successfully into civilian life.
Semper Fi Fund
Semper Fi Fund is dedicated to providing immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to combat wounded, critically ill, and catastrophically injured members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Semper Fi delivers the resources veterans need during recovery and transition back to their communities, working to ensure no one is left behind.
Hotlines
National Vet Center Call Center
Call 1-877-927-8387
Veterans and Military Crisis Line
Call 1-800-273-8255, Press 1 for Veteran
To Instant Message or Chat https://www.veteranscrisisline.net
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 1-800-273-8255
To Instant Message or Chat https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat
The National Crisis Text Line
Text ‘HOME’ to 741741
Alcoholics Anonymous
Call 1-866-412-3167
Narcotics Anonymous
Call 1-818-773-9999
Program Testimonials
“This has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Lifetime memories and bonds were made. This wasn’t just a surfing trip, for me this was a group of people fighting individual battles coming together, sharing experiences and unconditional love. I’m leaving with more confidence in myself than I came with.”
“I am so grateful and humbled to have had the experience and met the people I have met. The healing powers of the ocean should never be taken lightly or for granted. This experience changed me, and I couldn’t be more thankful than I am right now!”
“I had decided to check surfing off my bucket list and after I got back I was going to kill myself. While I was at Operation Surf there was this sense of peace that came over me and I realized my life wasn’t mine to take. If something like surfing can bring peace to my life then I should live on and try to help as many other veterans as possible.”