Grace After Fire

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chris Bolen
  • 301st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
NAS FORT WORTH JRB --  Major Lynda Parrack, 301st Fighter Wing Equal Opportunity director, regularly uses online internet resources as part of her mission to assist wing Airmen.

During a recent search she discovered a unique organization solely for female veterans called Grace After Fire - referred to as Grace.

"I was exploring the Military OneSource website we discussed during Wingman Day activities last month," said Parrack. "While looking for low-cost sources of counseling services available for military personnel, I just happened upon the link to Grace."

Founded in 2008, Grace After Fire is a non-profit organization currently directed by retired Air Force Col. Kimberly Olson. The organization is dedicated to helping women veterans help themselves by providing the means for them to gain knowledge, insight and self-renewal as they face the challenges of re-entering state-side life following deployment.

Grace provides support for women veterans of all eras and branches of the U. S. military, not just those returning from active duty. Building awareness among America's 1.8 million female veterans about available resources is one of their goals.

"I was totally surprised to find an organization like this anywhere," said Parrack. "Women veterans have different needs than their male associates. They not only have to deal with issues of the military but also family, children, and sometimes, a civilian job as well."

Grace brings women veterans together to talk, network and share experiences, said Parrack.

According to statistics from the Texas Veterans Commission, about 10 percent of U.S. forces currently serving in Afghanistan and Iraq are women and the population of female veterans in Texas is expected to reach 163,249 by the end of 2013.

Grace's board of directors is 80 percent veterans, managed by women veterans. Its Clinical Advisory Committee is totally staffed by woman trauma experts, researchers and addiction specialists.

"It's not easy for a woman veteran to talk to just any doctor," said Parrack.

"When I talked with them [Grace] they were working with the Texas Veterans Commission to set up round-tables where women veterans can talk about their experiences and discuss concerns that are important to them," said Parrack.

Grace is expanding its availability across the nation via the internet and is even reaching out to engage women veterans still in theater before they return home.

"They are there to help in many areas," said Parrack. "Female veterans should definitely make use of their assistance."

Grace After Fire can be accessed at www.graceafterfire.org and Military OneSource at www.militaryonesource.mil.