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Website

http://weareone365.org/

What is your idea to address an unmet need of service members, veterans and their families?

We Are One 365 (WAO 365) will work with LDR Investments (LDR) to create a program soliciting donations to support financial literacy for veterans and active military, through purchasing “The Soldier’s Financial Leadership Guide,” a book written by Army Rangers JD Dolan, Richard Sexton, and Lauren Gore. WAO 365 will network and raise funds so that military personnel can buy the guide. For each book sold, LDR will donate one dollar to WAO 365. This money contribution will fund a military family in need. In the past, donations have been used to cover expenses like childcare services and groceries. While advancing its own mission to help struggling military families, WAO will also raise awareness for financial literacy among service members.

What specific population do you plan to work with? What is their unmet need?

There has been a lack of resources designed to keep U.S. Army soldiers and their families secure from financial hardship. We seek to correct this deficiency by offering and promoting a clear and concise reference guide to financially educate our men and women in uniform. Often, such programs are only accessible reactively after families enter difficult financial situations, rather than as a preventative measure. Financial ignorance among Army units is a concern that is widespread and growing. The book, written by Army Rangers who have witnessed financial illiteracy firsthand, combats this trend by teaching effective money management practices so military families stay financially safe in these hard economic times.

What is your implementation plan, and how would the $1,000 be used?

WAO 365 agrees to launch a new program in support of financial literacy for veterans. We will raise money for the books by requesting donations from previous donors. To target potential donors, our organization will continue its outreach through newsletters, email correspondence, and events similar to those held by WAO 365 in the past. To further publicize our cause to promote soldiers’ financial literacy, we will feature LDR and “The Soldier’s Financial Leadership Guide,” on our website and on additional social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter. If granted the money, WAO 365 would use the $1000 to start the program by purchasing the first ninety-five books at our discounted rate.

How are volunteers the key ingredient to your solution?

Every person associated with WAO 365 is working on a volunteer basis. Without volunteers, this organization would not exist. Our leadership dedicates its time and energy to remind Americans that freedom comes at a cost. As a nonprofit, we stress active involvement. In our 365 Day Challenge, members pledge to devote one day of exercise a week to recognizing the sacrifice our military and their families make. They wear our apparel and document their workouts via pictures or blog posts in order to spread our mission. With our new financial literacy platform, we are relying on each other and friends of the cause to raise awareness, promote the book, and encourage readers to provide testimonials of its impact on their daily family life.

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