CrossFit Competition Builds Community for Recovering Veterans

CrossFit is widely known for high intensity and fierce competition. For veterans in and around Boston, CrossFit Middleton is building a community for veterans. Whether they’re facing physical injuries, mental hardships, or emotional challenges, this CrossFit center isn’t just a place to work out, it’s a center for healing. Returning home from combat and working to re-integrate in their domestic lives, the veterans who are missing the chance to work out and train with their band of brothers can fill that void with the family they find at CrossFit. Together, they push through pain, both physically and emotionally, in what has become a “sanctuary” for returning heroes.

 

A Bold Idea for Empowering Today’s Generation of Veterans

Veteran services organizations have played an important historical role in protecting the interests of veterans. However, most of the old politicized models have failed to keep pace in addressing the concerns of new veterans. Paul Rieckhoff is building a new type of non-partisan veterans organization that aims to equip veterans with “real time information about resources they need to manage the transition back to civilian life and become leaders in their communities,” according to a recent article. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) has programs supporting new veterans in health, education, employment and building a lasting community for vets and their families. Visit their website for more info on the programs offered and check out this special section profiling five IAVA members featured on the cover of TIME magazine.
Source: Ashoka – Make It Bright