Innovative Veterans Non-Profit to Exhibit at Clinton Global Initiative University
Vanguard’s Reintegration Initiative Empowers Veterans, Local Communities
AUSTIN, TEXAS - Community Vanguard, a not-for-profit, emergency management and veteran services organization will exhibit at the Clinton Global Initiative University April 5 – 7, 2013 at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Community Vanguard, founded by Hauptmann School of Public Affairs MPA candidate Rick Schumacher, is a new veterans’ reintegration initiative focused on providing resources and disaster mitigation advocacy to low-income communities throughout the United States.
“Community Vanguard offers a practical, innovative solution that empowers our country’s military veterans and engages in local communities where help is needed most,” said Rick Schumacher, who created the non-profit in 2012.
Low-income communities are generally more prone to natural disasters and more public response and recovery funding are used in these communities to recover from disaster than in more affluent areas. Schumacher identifies some of the contributing factors as poor community planning, poor building materials, less first response organization, less insurance, and lack of community involvement.
“Mitigation needs to take a leading role in developing capital projects in these communities. Additionally, individuals in the lower socio-economic levels are less likely to be actively engaged in advocating for their communities,” added Schumacher. “That’s where Community Vanguard can effectively and efficiently fill a void.”
The average unemployment rate for service members remains high. The emergency management field draws many veterans through their innate need to continue serving, their leadership ability, their training and capabilities in austere environments, and organizational ability. Providing a resource through education and real world experience will not only develop well-rounded emergency managers but may also foster career paths in other industries, as emergency management involves multiple industrial sectors.
Community Vanguard’s presence at The Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) is a natural fit. CGI U was developed by President Bill Clinton to engage scholars in addressing global issues with practical, innovative solutions.
The sixth annual CGI U meeting will bring together students and youth organizations to develop Commitments to Action across five focus areas: Education, Environment and Climate Change, Peace and Human Rights, Poverty Alleviation, and Public Health.
The CGI U meeting will include plenary sessions, working sessions, and other special events that provide participants with a wide variety of knowledge sharing and networking opportunities. The program will allow CGI U attendees to discuss global issues, develop practical skills, identify potential partners, and formulate concrete plans of action for the months ahead.
Find Community Vanguard in the CGI U Exchange during the event or visit www.communityvanguard.org for more information about Schumacher and his veterans’ initiative.
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Media Contact: Rick Schumacher, (512) 522-0164, rick@communityvanguard.org
About Community Vanguard
A service-disabled veteran managed nonprofit organization, Community Vanguard is working to develop and implement much needed disaster mitigation projects within economically disadvantaged communities. Through the use of military veterans who are trained in full-cycle, all-hazards emergency management concepts, Community Vanguard can not only make a difference in the lives of the less-fortunate among us, they can gain valuable hands-on experience as well as a potentially important network of emergency management and municipal personnel while working to complete their mission. For more information on Community Vanguard, visit communityvanguard.org.
About CGI U
The Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) challenges college students to address global issues with practical, innovative solutions. CGI U members do more than simply discuss problems – they take concrete steps to solve them by building relationships, creating action plans, participating in hands-on workshops, and following up with CGI U as they complete their projects. Their efforts have culminated in approximately 3,000 Commitments to Action. Previous CGI U meetings have taken place at Tulane University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Miami, and the University of California at San Diego, and have convened more than 3,500 students from 641 schools in 110 countries and all 50 states. To learn more, visit cgiu.org.
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