Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) has been awarded a grant for $25,000 from Blue Earth Foundation. This collaboration will provide assistance in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and surrounding areas, where TMF will train veterans to become Character Does Matter (CDM) presenters. TMF’s Character Does Matter Program provides opportunities for veterans and families of fallen heroes to teach character and leadership lessons to young adults through day-long and multi-day team-building exercises, discussions, and experiential learning challenges.
A recent study conducted by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University reported that TMF’s Character Does Matter program has a positive effect on young adults’ attitudes toward both positive and negative behaviors. Findings show that school-aged young adults who participated in the CDM program indicated a significant increase in caring, educational expectations, and pro-social attitudes. Similarly, they showed greater negative attitudes toward risky behaviors, such as drinking and the use of drugs.
This investment from Blue Earth Foundation will support Travis Manion Foundation in impacting 1,000+ young adults within TMF’s Mid-Atlantic Region. TMF will provide young adults with 10 Character Does Matter presentations, with additional follow on engagement through 2 Character and Leadership Courses and Operation Legacy Service Projects. These opportunities will enable TMF to expand their services to a larger audience of veterans, who will be provided with a redefined role in their community and the platform to engage our youth in the essential discussion of character and servant leadership. This process benefits our veterans, our youth, and our nation, one community at a time.
TMF Vice President Amy Looney Heffernan said, “Travis Manion Foundation is grateful for the support of Blue Earth Foundation, and their commitment to our veterans teaching the next generation of leaders the value of character and service. This partnership will allow TMF to focus our efforts in several underserved communities, and continue our mission of empowering veterans to continue their service after taking off the uniform, as positive role models for our nation’s youth.”
