Supporting Our Veterans and First Responders After Service

Supporting Veterans after service is essential for helping them regain a sense of belonging within their communities. After dedicating themselves to service, many veterans struggle with feeling disconnected or misunderstood in civilian environments. Creating spaces where they feel safe, supported and valued is key to easing this transition. With community programs, peer support groups, and public awareness, we can help our veterans and first responders rebuild a strong sense of purpose and inclusion.

Transitioning Out Of Service

Canadian Veterans often face significant struggles when transitioning from service to civilian life:

•  Skill Transitioning: Military skills and qualifications often don't align directly with civillian job requirements making it difficult for veterans to find roles that match their expertise.
• Workplace Adaptation: Veterans may find it hard to adjust to civillian workplace norms, which often lack the structure and hierarchy of military life
• Discrimination or Misunderstanding: Potential employers may not fully understand military experience or have biases against hiring veterans.

• Loss of Income: Transitioning from the military can lead to a significant drop in income, especially if veterans struggle to find stable employment.
• Pension and Benefit Delays: Issues with processing disability pensions or accessing benefits can exacerbate financial instability.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Many veterans grapple with PTSD or other service related mental health conditions, which can make reintegration difficult.
• Isolation: Veterans may feel disconnected from their civilian peers, who may not understand their experiences.

• Injuries and Disabilities: Service-related injuries can limit physical abilities, complicate job prospects, and require ongoing care
• Chronic Conditions: Long-term conditions resulting from military service may demand constant medical attention.

• Loss of Identity and Purpose: The military often provides a strong sense of identity and purpose, which can be hard to replace in civilian life.
• Changing Family Dynamics: Veterans families may struggle to adjust to new routines or the emotional toll of the transition process.

• Housing Instability: Some veterans experience difficulty securing stable housing, leading to a disproportionate risk of homelessness.
• Lack of Support Networks: The absence of a cohesive support system can create housing challenges.

Sopporting Those Who Supported Us

As a community, we can advocate for our Canadian Veterans by raising awareness of their sacrifices, supporting local veteran organizations, and ensuring they have access to resources and recognition they deserve

• Veterans
• Canadian Armed Forces
• Police Officers
• Fire Fighters
• Paramedics
• Dispatchers
• Corrections Officers
• Security Officers
• Search and Rescue

          As citizens, we have a role to play in supporting those who've sacrificed for our safety.

Every time this year Cactus Trading Co. collects dry goods and houshold and personal care items for The Veterans Food Bank Of Alberta.

If you would like to help us with our donation, you can drop off items at our store at 206 Fith Avenue (behind McDonald's in the Points West Mall), Monday to Saturday. COLLECTION UNTIL MID-DECEMBER!