(pictured left to right) U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, Hope For The Warriors Vigiano Family Hope and Courage Award winner Shaina Purser, U.S. Marine Col. Barney Barnum and Hope For The Warriors Co-founder and CEO Robin Kelleher.
Purser’s Vigiano Family Hope and Courage Award video: https://youtu.be/1nEsYnh2nzM
SPRINGFIELD, Va. (October 31, 2023) – Fort Worth, Texas resident Shaina Purser was recently named a recipient of the Vigiano Family Hope and Courage Award at the Hope For The Warriors Got Heart, Give Hope Gala.
Purser was one of three Vigiano Family Hope and Courage Award winners, presented by U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal and U.S. Marine Col. Barney Barnum. She was recognized for her journey as a military family member and dual caregiver, Hope For The Warriors and Combined Arms volunteer, and advocate committed to serving military and caregiving communities.
“We’ve known Shaina for many years, and it’s inspiring to see how she tackled life’s journey as caregiver and turned her personal experiences into a way of supporting other caregivers,” said Robin Kelleher, Hope For The Warriors co-founder and CEO. “When we started our Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarship program, we hoped we’d support military families in just the way that we’ve supported Shaina. She is a true inspiration to so many families and we couldn’t be prouder and more appreciative of the important work she is doing today.”
Named in honor of the Vigiano family, who lost both of their sons in the September 11th attacks, the Hope and Courage Awards are presented to service members and military family members who have demonstrated both hope and courage in the face of extraordinary circumstances.
“Being selected as a recipient of the 2023 Hope For The Warriors Vigiano Hope & Courage Award is an immense honor,” said Purser. “This award holds great significance as it reflects the profound impact that “Hope For The Warriors has had on my life. Through their support, I was able to better navigate my caregiving journey and pursue a degree in Military Social Work, an opportunity that not only empowered me to achieve my educational goals but also equipped me with the necessary knowledge and skills to make a positive difference in the lives of military families and veterans.”
Inspired by her experience as a military family member and dual caregiver, Purser decided to pursue a career of representation and awareness for military families and families with special needs. As a three-time Hope For The Warriors Military Spouse and Caregiver scholarship recipient, she completed her Master’s in Social Work at the University of Southern California. Specializing in Social Change & Innovation and Military Social Work, she has pursued a career that fulfills and drives her, creating system-level change through developing innovative and custom solutions and interventions for those who need them most.
Purser shares how receiving scholarships and other support from Hope For The Warriors encouraged her to move forward in supporting the military community through her career.
“My personal connection to Hope For The Warriors has been profound and transformative. In 2017, I found myself overwhelmed by the demands of being a dual caregiver but Hope For The Warriors stepped in and connected me with critical services and local support. They became a lifeline during that challenging time.
“Through their support, I gained access to resiliency workshops and a supportive online community. These
resources helped me become more informed and empowered as I navigated my caregiving journey, and
they emphasized the importance of self-care to ensure I remained resilient and sustainable in my caregiving duties. The scholarships provided by Hope For The Warriors were a game-changer for me. They motivated and supported me throughout my studies, enabling me to pursue an education and a fulfilling career in social work.”
Today, Purser continues to serve the military community as a member of Hope for the Warrior’s Military Spouse & Caregiver Scholarship Committee.
In addition, Purser continues to use her lived experiences as a military caregiver with the American Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network (MVCN), where she supports other caregivers through peer group facilitation and mentorship.
“I’m very proud to be an active community member, speaking about my experience and how it has changed my career trajectory and the lives of others,” added Purser.
For more information on Hope For The Warriors, visit hopeforthewarriors.org.
Media Contact:
Hope For The Warriors
Erin McCloskey
erin@etmccloskey.com
(336) 207-5222
About Hope For The Warriors: Founded in 2006, Hope For The Warriors is a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring a foundation of stability, strength and community for post-9/11 veterans, service members and military families. Since its inception, Hope For The Warriors has served over 159,000 through a variety of support programs focused on providing financial, career and educational stability; physical and emotional strength; and social support that builds community. One of the nonprofit’s first programs, Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarships, has awarded 232 scholarships to caregivers and families of the fallen. For more information, visit hopeforthewarriors.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn.
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