WE ARE

Veterans helping veterans defeat the isolation that fuels suicide through a shared Meal, a Message and a Mission.

THE CHALLENGE

VA statistics show that in 2020 we tragically lost 6146 Veterans to suicide. The rate for Veterans was 57.3% greater than for non-Veteran U.S. adults.1 It is staggering to realize that in the last 20 years we have lost at least 30,177 Veterans to suicide, 4 times the 7057 killed-in-action.2 Some researchers consider social isolation as “arguably the strongest and most reliable predictor of suicidal ideation, [suicide] attempts, and lethal suicidal behavior”. 3

WE BELIEVE

  • Involvement in a small group is a vital way to overcome isolation.
  • Veterans are more likely to join and benefit from a group led by veterans.
  • Some veterans’ issues are spiritual in nature and need spiritual solutions that faith-based group leaders and counselors can provide.
  • Serving others is a vital key to developing mental health.
  • A local Christian church is a great place to expand relationships and find others to serve.

VETSSHARE SQUAD LEADERS (VSL)

VetsShare is building a national army of share group leaders who are veterans or veteran spouses, who host a gender-specific, weekly group meeting for up to 12 veterans. They share a simple MEAL, watch a short devotional MESSAGE, and lead a brief time of individual sharing. Once a month they work together on a MISSION service project to help others in their community. They secure the endorsement to operate their group as a ministry of their church, where once a year they host a veteran appreciation dinner. Share groups of both genders sometimes collaborate on service activities and the appreciation dinner.

START A VETSSHARE GROUP

Every VSL has a co-leader. When a group grows beyond 12 members, the co-leader and half the members form a new group. They stay small enough to avoid any member being left behind, lost in the crowd. We provide a professional video of each VSL’s story to help them promote their group online and with local veteran groups. VetsShare has limited sponsorships to provide start-up financial assistance to a church launching a VetsShare group ministry.

NATIONAL DIRECTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNSELORS

We are also building a national directory of Christian pastoral and professional counselors with unique qualification who are available to help veterans. They demonstrate their commitment to veterans through an annual subscription fee for listing in our directory.

OUR FOUNDER

John Gillespie, VetsShare President (right), was honored as the 2023 Veteran of the Year for Wisconsin’s 8th District, for outstanding community service. The award was presented by Congressman Mike Gallaher (left), a U.S. Marine, who served two tours in Iraq as an intelligence officer on the staff of David Petraeus. John served as a U.S. Army Captain in a combat engineer battalion. He is the author of “Our 351 Sons”, the story of him and his wife Jan founding Rawhide Boys Ranch and partnering with Bart & Cherry Starr of the Green Bay Packers. Over 35 years as houseparents, John & Jan had 351 teenage boys live in their home. Rawhide was named by President George H.W. Bush, a National Point of Light.

OUR CHARITABLE STATUS

VetsShare is a non-profit, 501c3. Gifts are tax deductible. We have a volunteer board of directors. An annual audit will be available on request beginning in 2026.

1 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, September). 2022 National Veteran suicide prevention annual report. https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2022/2022-National-Veteran-Suicide-Prevention-Annual-Report-FINAL-508.pdf

2 USO. (2023, September 6). Concerns rise over military suicide rates; Here’s how the USO is trying to help. https://www.uso.org/stories/2664-military-suicide-rates-are-at-an-all-time-high-heres-how-were-trying-to-help
3 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, July). Loneliness and social isolation-Risk factors for suicide. https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/docs/FSTP-Loneliness.pdf