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| TOUCHDOWN - Wounded veterans compete in a Madden NFL '15 Tournament at the Microsoft Store. |
Video Game Football Provides Chance for Camaraderie, Competition
Wounded veterans had a chance to put their game faces on and compete last weekend, inside the Microsoft store at the St. Johns Town Center.
Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) brought injured servicemen and women together to test their skills at John Madden NFL '15 football, and to provide an opportunity to bond in a social setting.
The WWP Alumni program brings injured service members together through dinners, outings, sports events, and other gatherings to help the healing process.
Through shared experiences, wounded veterans create personalized support structures.
WWP considers injured service members Alumni – there are no dues to be a part of WWP, those are paid on the battlefield.
Yvette Coley is a mother of four, an Army veteran, and a WWP alumna.
She used a certain play to help drive her to second in the tournament.
"A pass down the sideline," Coley said. "I enjoyed surprising all the guys with how well I play. What I didn't tell them is that I only played the game for a week before the tournament."Jeremy Nabozny is an Army veteran and WWP alumnus.
"I loved that Microsoft opened their doors to us warriors to get out and have fun in a comfortable environment," Nabozny said. "WWP helps me relate to others and helps me by offering numerous services so I can cope with certain disabilities."Yvette lost in the championship game, but still enjoyed herself.
She credits WWP with giving her the self-confidence to her engage with her community.
"Without WWP, I would be a shut-in. Now I am truly able to relax and have fun," Coley said.As part of her economic empowerment, Yvette is learning about computer technology with WWP's Transition Training Academy (TTA).
Through TTA, Yvette and other students learn different levels of computer and internet technology.
TTA then helps the wounded veteran, his or her family, or caregiver through the certification process, to help provide new employment opportunities.
More than 5,000 wounded veterans, their families, and caregivers were positively impacted by Economic Empowerment programs in January alone.
Learn more about TTA at woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/transition-training-academy.aspx.
About Wounded Warrior Project
The mission of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP's purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.
