AFA’s New Virtual Healing and Art Therapy Events Help Wounded Heroes

March 02, 2021

AFA’s New Virtual Healing and Art Therapy Events Help Wounded Heroes

The Air Force Association’s Wounded Airman Program is hosting a virtual healing and art therapy series, Mission Arts to support our Total Force Airmen and Guardians, wounded heroes, caregivers, and their families.

In 2020, AFA’s Wounded Airman Program launched Mission Arts in partnership with Mission Warriors, an organization comprised of veteran wounded heroes that are now healing arts instructors. The virtual healing arts events were developed in response to the cancellation of critical in-person rehabilitative events for wounded heroes and their families due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The audience was expanded to include all Airmen and Guardians as a mental health and resiliency training opportunity.

Mission Arts events include the art disciplines of paint pouring, meditation, writing, photography, and improvisational comedy. The art disciplines provide total wellness support to military families that need it most, especially amidst challenging times of isolation and quarantine.

Mission Warriors Founder Dave Long believes the program inspires healing in challenging times. “Healing arts is often a personal journey with yourself. Creating just for yourself, just to create, sets you free to breathe without judgment,” Long said.

“AFA is proud to partner with Mission Warriors to offer creative activities for building resilience and improving the mental health of our Airmen and Guardians,” said Kari Voliva, AFA’s Vice President for Member and Field Relations. “In a world where challenges grow every day, we’re excited to provide this opportunity to our Air and Space Forces family.”

AFA’s Mission Arts program continues to grow in participation thanks to program partners like Parker-Hannifin and Centene Corporation. For strategic partnership opportunities, please contact AFAWAP@AFA.org.

For more information on AFA’s Wounded Airman Program and how to get involved in Mission Arts events, visit www.AFA.org/wap. Mission Arts events are open and free for all of our Total Force Airmen and Guardians. Priority is given to Air Force Wounded Warriors and Air Force Caregivers.

—

About Mission Warriors: Mission Warriors is a non-profit organization that advocates for the arts as a healing tool for mental and emotional health. Veterans who have lived through trauma and used art to heal, instruct and share their stories of recovery to help others heal. We believe every veteran has a story and to use the healing arts to communicate and bring increased value to their service and life.

About AFA: The Air Force Association is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association. Our mission is to promote dominant U.S. Air and Space Forces as the foundation of a strong National Defense; to honor and support our Airmen, Guardians, and their Families; and to remember and respect our enduring Heritage.