Wounded Warrior Project TRACK Students Suit Up for New Careers

Jacksonville, Fla. (February 18, 2010) –   Wounded Warrior Project's (WWP) TRACK students will jumpstart their civilian careers with work experience at local Jacksonville businesses.  To prepare for work in Jacksonville, and thanks to the efforts of Dignity U Wear, the warrior students will be fitted with business suits provided at no cost by the Men's Wearhouse at their St. Johns Town Center store on February 19.

"Henri Landwirth founded Dignity U Wear to create real change in the lives of children and adults in need; change that restores broken spirits and restores hope, dignity and self-esteem," said Bob Bryan, executive director for Dignity U Wear.  "We felt the Wounded Warrior Project was a perfect match to accomplish those things.  We are proud to be supporting this important effort that is helping the men and women who protect our country."

With community support, an enduring commitment from enrolled students and staff, and donations from organizations like Dignity U Wear, the TRACK program continues to thrive.  The fully equipped TRACK center welcomed its fourth cohort to Jacksonville in January.  These 12 wounded warriors join the 16 students of the third cohort, in session since August on the Jacksonville campus.  Ranging in age from 23-41, TRACK students hail from 16 different states and Puerto Rico and are transitioning to civilian life after sustaining  injuries in the service to their country, including burns, amputations, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

TRACK is the first education center in the nation created to address the unique educational needs of this generation of wounded warriors. For one year, students live in Jacksonville to jumpstart their educational goals while building career skills and preparing for successful transition from military service. The program consists of classroom-based learning, with ancillary support services like health and wellness training, personal finance workshops as well as resume and interview preparation. The externship component with a local employer is also an integral part of the 12-month program. The TRACK approach is an integrated one, focused on the healing of the mind, body and spirit.

As they work toward their graduation, Cohort 3 will soon begin the externship component of the program by working at various local area businesses like CSX, the international transportation company headquartered in Jacksonville.    Cohort 4 will also benefit from complimentary suits this summer as they start their externships in August.
 
About Wounded Warrior Project

The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors.  Its purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service members, to help severely injured men and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, apolitical organization headquartered in Jacksonville, FL. To get involved and learn more, visit
 
About Dignity U Wear

Dignity U Wear distributes brand new clothing it receives from apparel manufacturers, distributors and retailers through a network of nonprofit social service agencies throughout the United States. The organization specializes in receiving, warehousing and distributing brand new clothing to people in need at absolutely no cost to them. Since it was founded in 2000, the organization has provided more than 5.7million pieces, valued at $101 million, to more than 390,000 people. For more information, visit http://www.dignityuwear.org or contact Debbie Jeffrey, Director of Agency Relations, at djeffrey@dignityuwear.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .