Jami Cade (far upper right in photo) is a veteran who just recently moved to Reno, and wants to start a Mission Continues Service Platoon here in Nevada. It’s part of the Wounded Warrior Project charity and veterans services organization to honor and empower post-9/11 injured service members, veterans, and their families.
After leaving the military, Cade, who went to college in Maryland, and served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, said she wanted a fresh start and found herself in Reno. “I knew I wanted to do a volunteer group or donations to homeless shelters it was just going to happen regardless of where I moved to,” Cade said.
The Mission Continues initiative seeks to connect veterans with a new purpose: aiding under-resourced communities. Whether it be painting murals, organizing food drives, or helping plant community gardens, “we can get a lot done …it’s a platoon for you if you have the passion to serve,” Cade said.
These communal platoons also serve a secondary role: a place of camaraderie and connectivity for veterans looking to make a change in the community. The non-profit also helps with veteran’s self-care and mental health by surrounding them with other like-minded people who want to serve and help make an impact on their local communities after serving in the military.
Cade who was in leadership training at the time of our interview said she was looking to build a team so the service platoon can hit the ground running come the end of July when she is hoping to get it started. She’s already posted to Facebook groups like Things To Do in Reno. The Mission Continues is mainly a veterans organization but anyone of any age can volunteer, regardless of prior service.