Developing a Sense of Meaningful Belonging Among Veterans

FAIN: AV-279585-21

SUNY Research Foundation, University at Buffalo (Amherst, NY 14228-2577)
Vasiliki Neofotistos (Project Director: October 2020 to April 2023)
Lisa Butler (Co Project Director: April 2021 to April 2023)
Bonnie Vest (Co Project Director: April 2021 to April 2023)

A six-day training program for six leaders and two monthly discussion programs for 15-20 participants, to be held at the State University of New York at Buffalo and surrounding area.

The University at Buffalo, in collaboration with the Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, the Buffalo and Erie County Public Libraries, and the Veterans One-stop Center of Western New York, proposes a project, titled “Developing a Sense of Meaningful Belonging Among Veterans.” The project will take place from 05/2021 until 10/2022 in Buffalo, NY. The project consists of an in-person six-day preparatory program to train six discussion leaders, and of two in-person series of six monthly discussion programs for veterans. The project also includes an exhibition of veterans’ photographs and a public panel discussion at the downtown Public Library in April 2022. The project aims to facilitate rich discussions and deep reflections on how veterans establish meaningful social connections and support veterans in this quest. The project team comprises humanities scholars, a social scientist, a discussion facilitation expert, and an Army combat veteran and social worker.

Associated Products

The "Developing a Sense of Meaningful Belonging among Veterans" project presents "Odyssey| Warriors Come Home” (Exhibition)
Title: The "Developing a Sense of Meaningful Belonging among Veterans" project presents "Odyssey| Warriors Come Home”
Curator: Brendan Bannon
Abstract: University at Buffalo, in collaboration with a team of community partners, will present selected images from “Odyssey: Warriors Come Home,” an exhibition of photographs made by local combat veterans who used photography to explore their return to civilian life and to find meaningful social connections after war. The powerful images from 42 photographers in the exhibit give visitors an opportunity to see and experience the challenges veterans face when they return from combat and begin the process of reintegrating into society. The exhibition, curated by Odyssey Project founder Brendan Bannon, tells the collective story of coming home from battle.
Year: 2022
Primary URL: n/a

Developing a Sense of Meaningful Belonging Among Veterans website (Web Resource)
Title: Developing a Sense of Meaningful Belonging Among Veterans website
Author: Neofotistos, Vasiliki
Author: Butler, Lisa
Author: Vest, Bonnie
Abstract: The website describes the project and project activities/events.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: https://ubwp.buffalo.edu/developing-a-sense-of-meaningful-belonging-among-veterans/

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