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Self Help Clearinghouse

National. 600+ chapters. Founded 1978. Devoted to the needs and concerns of Vietnam era veterans and their families. Provides leadership and advocacy in all areas that have an impact on veterans, with an emphasis on Agent Orange related problems and post traumatic stress disorder. Bimonthly newspaper.
Write:
Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.
8605 Camerson St., Suite 400
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Voice: 1-800-882-1316 or 301-585-4000
Fax: 301-585-0519
Website: http://www.vva.org
Verified: 10/21/2007

National. 24 chapters. Founded 1968. Support and assistance for widows of members of all U.S. uniformed services. Help in coping with adjustment to life on their own. Promotes public awareness. Bimonthly magazine/journal. Dues $12/yr. Chapter development guidelines. Online listing on local chapters.
Write:
Society of Military Widows
5535 Hempstead Way
Springfield, VA 22151
Voice: 1-800-842-3451 ext. 1005
Website: http://www.militarywidows.org
E-mail: president@militarywidows.org or patschecter@earthlink.net
Verified: 12/17/2007

National. 61 affiliated groups. Founded 1995. Supports the efforts of grassroot organizations that assist veterans affected by the Persian Gulf War illnesses. Also provides advocacy and support for Gulf War veterans, veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq and their families. Conducts research into the causes of Gulf War Syndrome. Self-help guides, media assistance, provides congressional testimony, advocacy, literature, information and referrals.
Write:
National Gulf War Resource Center
1403 Southwest Blvd.
Kansas City, KS 66103
Voice: 1-866-531-7183
Fax: 913-831-7184
Website: http://www.ngwrc.org
E-mail: ngwrc@sbcglobal.net
Verified: 10/9/2007

National network. Provides support for persons who have lost a loved one while serving in the armed forces (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, National Guard, Reserves, Service Academies, Coast Guard or contractors serving beside the military). Offers networking, crisis information, problem solving assistance and liaison with military agencies. Also TAPS youth programs. Annual seminar.
Write:
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
910 17th Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20006
Voice: 1-800-959-8277 or 202-588-8277
Fax: 202-457-8278
Website: http://www.taps.org
E-mail: info@taps.org
Verified: 5/8/2008

National. Founded 1946. Aim is to provide support and improve the quality of life for all Americans with spinal cord injuries and disorders.
Write:
United Spinal Association
75-20 Astoria Blvd.
Jackson Heights, NY 11370-1177
Voice: 718-803-3782 ext. 1203
Verified: 12/20/2007

Online. Discussion forum offers support, information, questions, answers and chat room. There is also a forum for dads.
Website: http://mmo.proboards10.com/index.cgi
Verified: 12/17/2007

National membership. Founded 1980. Primary information resource for spouses facing separation and divorce from a service member, active duty or retired. Layer referral service. Quarterly newsletter. Publishes a New Member Information Letter. Membership dues $25.
Write:
Ex-Pose
P.O. Box 11191
Alexandria, VA 22312
Voice: 703-941-5844
Fax: 703-212-6951
Website: http://www.ex-pose.org
E-mail: ex-pose@juno.com
Verified: 12/18/2007

National. 53 regional groups. Founded 1945. Information, support and outreach to blinded veterans, including those who were blinded in combat and those suffering from age-related macular degeneration and other eye diseases. Help in obtaining prosthetic devices and accessing the latest technological advances to assist the blind. Information on benefits and rehabilitation programs. Quarterly newsletter. Regional meetings.
Write:
Blinded Veterans Association
477 H Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
Voice: 1-800-669-7079 or 202-371-8880
Fax: 202-371-8258
Website: http://www.bva.org
E-mail: bva@bva.org
Verified: 10/12/2007

Online. Support service with various message boards for loved ones of those suffering from combat-related PTSD. Wives, daughters and mothers of war veterans come together to share information, support and friendship. Their aim is 'in the aftermath of war, may we find peace in understanding this disorder.'
Website: http://groups.msn.com/AftermathOfWarCopingWithPTSDtoo
Verified: 12/17/2007

National. 34 chapters and 58 field service offices. Aim is to ensure that spinal cord injured or diseased veterans achieve the highest quality of life possible. Membership is available solely to individuals who are American citizens with spinal cord dysfunction as a result of trauma or disease. Must have served on active duty and had an other than dishonorable discharge. Support groups, publications, VA benefits counseling, magazine, information and referrals.
Write:
Paralyzed Veterans of America
801 18th St. NW
Washington, DC 20006
Voice: 1-800-424-8200
Website: http://www.pva.org
E-mail: info@pva.org
Verified: 10/26/2007

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The above information was "verified" as correct on the date at the end of each entry. Since American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse's database is extensive but staffing is limited and information for these organizations can change, it is not possible to keep every entry in American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse database completely current and accurate. Please check with the organizations listed for the most current information.

For additional information on self-help groups, please visit the American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse web site at http://www.mentalhelp.net/selfhelp

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