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BY LINDA WORTHINGTON
UMCONNECTION STAFF

Women veterans, long forgotten or ignored, now have a friend to turn to.

United Methodist churches, under the auspices of The Urban Connection of Greater Washington, are sponsoring 12 church satellite centers to service the needs of women veterans.

The effort was launched in December at Douglas Memorial UMC, with 53 women veterans in attendance. They came to learn what resources are available to help transition back into civilian life from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Older veterans from the Vietnam War, with their own set of challenges, were also welcomed.

The Rev. Helen Fleming had an epiphany when she spoke at a Veterans Day event at Trinity University in D.C. She realized “veterans,” in many people’s mind, meant men, but many women were returning from the wars as well, and their needs were largely ignored.

“We need to be a voice for them,” concluded Fleming, pastor of Douglas Memorial UMC.

There are approximately 1.8 million women veterans, 8 percent of the total veteran population. Women who return from the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq are often single and come from urban areas. Many suffer from mental illness, alcohol and substance abuse or combinations of disorders.

Many were raped or abused by commanding officers or fellow soldiers, Fleming said. Recent reports from the Pentagon indicate that one-third of women soldiers have been raped while serving in the military and that 80 to 90 percent of sexual attacks against women soldiers go unreported. Such attacks leave their toll, said Fleming.

As they separate from the military, women are becoming one of the fastest growing disadvantaged groups in the United States. Their disabilities include post traumatic stress disorder and brain injuries, as well as having suffered sexual trauma. These three conditions are apt to push the women into homelessness.

Successful reentry to civilian life for many female veterans may be seriously jeopardized because of unemployment, lack of childcare and homelessness.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, says it is time to take notice of this issue.

“Women veterans need a coordinated effort that provides secure housing, nutritional meals, basic physical health care, substance abuse care and aftercare, mental health counseling, personal development and empowerment.” They also need job assessment, training and placement assistance.

It is in response to these many needs that the Women Veterans Resource Center opened its doors Dec. 11, with expectations of operating in more than a dozen locations.

Fleming, with characteristic energy, soon had a dozen United Methodist churches in the District of Columbia and environs offering the services they already had ministries for as a special service to women veterans.

Some, for instance are offering computer services, others are offering clothing for new jobs or food.

Since many of the veterans are single mothers, the Women’s Veterans’ Resource Center is developing a plan for day care, Fleming said

Recognizing a need for spiritual care, Douglas Memorial also provided a staffed prayer room.

Many United Methodist churches say they are now planning to host forums, workshops and panels for women veterans.

Every participating church will have a banner to mount which will give the phone number of the Women Veterans Resource Center.

“We as a church must be able to intervene on behalf of these women veterans who have so many needs that aren’t being met,” Fleming said.

Julie Dean from McKendree-Simms-Brookland UMC is working with Fleming as a program developer and communicator. For additional information, contact her at .