Press Release: Shaping Purpose proves rigor and impact for releasing veterans.

Shaping Purpose Evaluation
“Veteran Affairs Canada initial directive to us was to not expect full “buy-in” until we could prove our program had “rigor”. We now have proof of rigor, and look forward to getting as many as possible, of the veteran population, to experience the benefits of the Shaping Purpose course.” – Lorne Brett

Shaping Purpose, a Saint John based company, working all across Canada, proves rigor and impact for releasing veterans.

Saint John program helps hundreds of releasing veterans and their family find clarity and direction post military. In 2019, Veteran Affairs Canada funded Shaping Purpose with a grant from the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund to support a five-year study called the Pan-Canadian Transitioning Veteran and Domestic Partner Study, to assess the Shaping Purpose program for transitioning Veterans and their domestic partner.

Today, Shaping Purpose for Veterans, celebrates the completion of the study/report from Dr. Duncan Shields, “Shaping Purpose Military to Civilian Transition Program Evaluation”, verifying the significant benefits from this course, for veterans in difficult transitions. This is the conclusion of a five-year research initiative by Veteran Affairs Canada to enhance the well-being of the Veteran community. Well-being remains the focus of Shaping Purpose. The Shaping Purpose program was founded in 2014, when it became apparent, there are too many veterans, who were experiencing significant challenges, as they transitioned from military life to the civilian world.

After a veteran participated in one of the first Shaping Purpose sessions, the Shaping Purpose team, quickly learned that releasing veterans having to adjust to civilian life following military service, experience an incredibly challenging and complicated time. Also, veterans released due to injury or illness, experience higher-than-normal rates of chronic health conditions. The maritime based team, felt Shaping Purpose could greatly reduce the stress on our Canadian service men and women and applied to the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund, that distributes funding annually, to organizations helping veterans across Canada.

“Veteran Affairs Canada initial directive to us was to not expect full “buy-in” until we could prove our program had “rigor”. We now have proof of rigor, and look forward to getting as many as possible, of the veteran population, to experience the benefits of the Shaping Purpose course.” – Lorne Brett

Shaping Purpose is a 12-hour (over 4 days) online course facilitated and designed specifically for veterans, to identify their own gifts, passions and values, without military influence. The course culminates with a personal life plan with actionable goals to stay on track.

Veteran Affairs Canada’s investment in Shaping Purpose, assisted hundreds of veterans and their families in a successful transition helping create happier lives after service. Veterans participating in the program reported feeling better prepared to become a part of the community with meaning and purpose.

“It really was a real deep dive into yourself, which I think was enormously beneficial given we were taught not to think about ourselves, that everything important is about “we”. So, the idea of doing what you prefer, was a whole new concept for me. I didn’t know where to start at all; so to make a plan, date the plan and make it realizable; that helped a lot. I realized that hey, I do have things to offer. I still do have purpose in my life. I just got to get down to it. I sorted that out during the course, made the plan and am actually following the plan.” – Veteran Participant

The Shaping Purpose team is comprised of Stacey Richards, Certified Leadership Coach, and Lorne Brett, retired car dealer, both living in Saint John, plus a number of military people, scattered all across Canada. These people include serving and released members, with years of service in almost every branch of our armed forces. As well, the program was designed with the help of local and “away” Phycologists, and Psychiatrists, with direct and secondary knowledge of the challenges faced by releasing military members. Hence, we have the advantage of experienced individuals working with clinically trained concerned professionals.

The Shaping Purpose course is offered monthly and is a registered service provider for Medavie Blue Cross. The goal of the Shaping Purpose team is that every military member, before or after release, will have the opportunity to benefit from taking the Shaping Purpose course.

Register at www.shapingpurpose.com

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Contact

Lorne Brett
Shaping Purpose
131 Shoreline Dr.
Saint John N.B. E2H 0A5
lorne.brett @ lornebrett.com
(941) 914-6325

Stacey Richards
Shaping Purpose Office
Stacey.richards @ shapingpurpose.com
(506) 343-3375