When Kandee, a retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, connected with Hope4Veterans several years ago, she was searching for more than resources. She needed a renewed sense of purpose.
“I was in an extremely dark and difficult place,” she said. “I was struggling to adjust to life after serving in the military and coping with multiple traumas, financial hardship, marital issues and the loss of my son during pregnancy. I felt overwhelmed, isolated and unsure of how to move forward.”
Kandee’s story is one of many, and one that countless veterans can relate to. More than 2 million women veterans live in the U.S. today, and according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, women are the fastest-growing group in the veteran population—expected to grow from 4% in 2000 to 18% by 2040. Florida is home to the second-largest population of women veterans in the country, with more than 168,000 women who have served.
Recognizing the need to uplift this growing community, the VyStar Foundation awarded a grant in 2024 to Jacksonville-based Hope4Veterans, a nonprofit committed to empowering military women and their families by offering essential tools, resources and support that foster confidence, build life skills and promote long-term stability. Their vision is a world where no military woman or her family feels forgotten or alone.
“The grant Hope4Veterans received provided so much more than resources. It gave me a safe, understanding community where I could be seen and heard — both a veteran and a woman,” Kandee shared. “Through their programs, including therapeutic art and peer support, I began to rediscover myself and, most importantly, find a renewed sense of purpose.”
Thanks to VyStar Foundation’s support, Hope4Veterans expanded its Peer2Peer Sister Mentorship Program, connecting younger women veterans with experienced mentors to guide and inspire them. The grant also helped increase financial assistance for essentials like groceries, gas, and utilities—allowing participants to focus on healing and rebuilding their lives.
Other key areas supported by the VyStar Foundation grant include:
Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) Training: Funded training for a total of 13 military women to become Certified Peer Recovery Specialists. Ten women completed the 40-hour training and are currently preparing to take the state exam for certification. In addition, VyStar’s support also covered tuition for three more women scheduled to begin the training in October 2025. This investment is helping to build a growing network of trained peer advocates ready to guide and support others on their path to healing and recovery.
Support for Program Facilitators: Provided stipends and childcare assistance to reduce barriers for women leading programs.
Collaborative Partnerships: Partnered with Here Tomorrow and the YMCA to offer on-site childcare and additional training support.
Household Support: Offered stipends to ease financial burdens during training and service commitments, ensuring women could fully participate without sacrificing basic needs.
Many veterans like Kandee benefit from Hope4Veteran’s programs as much as their resources.
Another veteran, LaToya, found inspiration and healing through the organization’s art therapy programs. She became a peer counselor to give back and help other women find their voice.
“Hope4Veterans gave me the opportunity to facilitate healing through art therapy,” LaToya said. “We help women veterans heal through creative expression."
Veterans like Kandee and LaToya are not only benefiting from the services provided by Hope4Veterans — they are becoming leaders and healers themselves, building a cycle of hope and strength that uplifts the entire military sisterhood.
“Providing hope for military women provides hope for military families,” said Lynn Geiser, CEO and Founder of Hope4Veterans.
To learn more or support the mission, visit Hope4Veterans.org.