Our “Why:” The Resilience Of Our Partners

In this fear-laden environment, we’re heartened by the continued dedication and positivity of our community partners. Today they are fighting the impacts of COVID-19, but many of them have been fighting on the frontlines of poverty, educational inequity and food insecurity for decades. Mounting evidence tells us that the under-resourced communities where we serve are already, and will continue to be, disproportionately impacted by the effects of this pandemic.

We have launched a nationwide survey to community partners in more than 50 cities to assess how they are faring and begin to determine how we can best serve them post-COVID.

During this crisis, we’ve been in close contact with these partners who are part of our Mission Continues family, offering them moral support and assuring them of our enduring commitment to our partnership. With every interaction, they remind us of our “why.”

Through this very trying time they remain optimistic, focused and committed to helping others, and we can’t wait to get back out to see them and serve with them when it’s safe to do so. In this short video, a few of them took the time to share how they are doing and what they are looking forward to in the future.

Our community partners provide many tangible and intangible benefits to those they serve. We know that when we build a planter box with them, it isn’t simply 2x4s and soil—it’s the first piece of a living laboratory where children can grow and eat nutritious food, and a critical step in the fight against food insecurity. As we heard from Carlen in the video above, these projects are about inspiring and uplifting community members. And in turn, this work provides a sense of connection and purpose to the veterans who pour heart and soul into every project.

Our communities will need additional capacity to manage through the inevitable human and economic toll—a ready reserve of volunteers will be a vital resource to call upon. The hardships will be great, the challenges persistent and our veterans and the communities in which we serve need us now more than ever.

On May 5, a national generosity movement launches in hopes to unite people for a day of giving to support the unprecedented need COVID-19 has created. If you participate in #GivingTuesday, please consider donating to The Mission Continues.

Other ways you can support us:

  • Engage with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram;
  • Watch and share the content on our new Charlie Mike channel;
  • Purchase a limited edition Charlie Mike workout t-shirt benefitting The Mission Continues.

    Thank you for helping us continue our mission during this critical time.

    Charlie Mike,

    Mary Beth Bruggeman
    President, The Mission Continues