In 2015, Derek Auguste made the decision to hang up his United States Army uniform and return home to his family in Miami. After 11 years of military service, Auguste said, “I was happy to be with my family again, but it also came with a terrifying feeling — that I was jumping into the great unknown, unsure of where I would land.”

For many veterans, transitioning back into the civilian world can feel like this. Separating from the military entails the loss of a tight-knit community and disciplined lifestyle, the challenge of finding a new career, and for some, the strain of navigating post-traumatic stress. These factors combine to make the transition a difficult time for many.

But it’s the loss of purpose that can be the deepest--and most overlooked--void to fill.

“Even though I was in school earning a degree, I still felt like I was sitting on my hands,” Auguste said.

Empowering Veterans When They Come Home

Though they no longer wear a military uniform, many veterans feel the call to serve again, fortifying from within the country they fought to protect abroad. Ultimately, veterans are a resource for our country, and one we shouldn’t let go to waste.

Auguste connected with The Mission Continues, a nonprofit that helps veterans find purpose through community impact. The Mission Continues embeds their volunteers within a range of organizations — Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, and the National Parks Conservation Association, to name a few — giving veterans an opportunity to tackle some of the toughest challenges in their communities. They help protect the environment, mentor underprivileged youth, beautify schools and community centers, and help build homes for those in need.

Behind the success of programs like The Mission Continues is the core belief that veterans are uniquely equipped with the skills to tackle challenges in their communities.

The men and women who served in today’s military repaired roads, built schools, and learned how to work as a team to accomplish a mission. The discipline, structure, organization, and leadership they bring to any project is an asset, and are all things that can benefit our communities.

Auguste continues to serve with The Mission Continues by leading the Miami 1st Service Platoon. Service platoons are teams of veteran and non-veteran volunteers who mobilize together to solve a specific challenge in their community.

How to Make an Impact and Support Our Veterans

Support organizations that help veterans: Auguste is among hundreds of veterans who complete six-month Mission Continues fellowships each year. Each fellowship combines volunteer service, professional development and personal growth to deliver a unique impact in communities across the country. Fellows are placed in nonprofits like the American Red Cross and the Boys and Girls Club of America. Derek served with Up2Us Sports, a Miami-based nonprofit that empowers youth to lead healthy and productive lives through sports. He is now employed full-time there.

Volunteer at a VA hospital: For those looking to give their time, there are opportunities at VA hospitals around the country. The first step is to sign up as a volunteer with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Take action on Veteran’s Day: Whether you attend a parade, donate to a cause or serve alongside veterans for a service project in your community, you’re telling veterans “we still need you.”

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Original Contribution by Abigail Pope-Brooks, Content and Development Communications Specialist at The Mission Continues.