MFRI partners with Got Your 6 campaign
October 3, 2014
WEST LAFYAETTE, Ind. - The Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Got Your 6 campaign to support six key pillars of veterans' reintegration to the civilian world: jobs, education, health, housing, family and leadership.
Got Your 6 links the entertainment industry with leading veteran-focused nonprofit organizations. It aims to bridge gaps between civilian and military communities and create new conversations that focus on the talent, abilities and leadership qualities veterans and their families bring to the communities in which they live. The organization was launched in 2012.
MFRI's decision to partner with Got Your 6 reflects its ongoing mission to make a difference for families who serve, said Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, director of MRFI. The Got Your 6 campaign promotes veterans and their families as key community assets, which is in line with MFRI's community mobilization and employment and education initiatives.
"The transition between military service and civilian life can be both an exciting and challenging time for families. These individuals have a diverse skill set to contribute to their workplaces and local communities but can sometimes use the help of both public and private sector organizations to smooth the way," MacDermid Wadsworth said. "By partnering with Got Your 6, we are proud to join together with other organizations, helping us all to expand our efforts and have a greater, more effective impact."
The term "Got your 6" originated with World War I fighter pilots, who referenced a plane’s 6 o'clock – or rear - position in communicating "I’m watching out for you" to other pilots.
"Got Your 6 couldn't be more excited about our partnership with the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University," said Chris Marvin, managing director of Got Your 6 and an Afghanistan veteran. "Together we can continue to empower veterans and their families throughout our communities, foster an understanding about those who have served, and encourage service members to utilize their skills here at home."
Joining MFRI in support of Got Your 6 are more than 60 major stakeholders and partners from the public, private and nonprofit sectors, including the Joining Forces, Student Veterans of America and Habitat for Humanity. For more information on Got Your 6, visit http://www.gotyour6.org/.
About MFRI
The Military Family Research Institute was founded in 2000 with funding from the Department of Defense. It is the leading university-based organization in the nation that conducts research about, with and for military families. MFRI is part of the Center for Families in Purdue's College of Health and Human Sciences.
About Got Your 6
Got Your 6 is a collective impact campaign designed to help bridge the military-civilian divide. Combining the reach and resources of the entertainment industry with the expertise and commitment of more than 30 nonprofit organizations, the campaign works to advance the conversation in America so veterans and military families are seen as leaders and civic assets who will invigorate our communities. In 2013, Got Your 6 distributed grants totaling nearly $3 million to a dozen veteran-focused nonprofit partners, through support from organizations such as Wells Fargo, Macy's, and Goodwill Industries. Be the Change, Inc., an independent 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization, is the organizing body and fiscal sponsor of Got Your 6.
Writer: Beth Johnson, 703-927-7429, bethjohnson@purdue.edu
Sources: Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, 765-494-3403, shelley@purdue.edu
