AFW2 Behind the Scenes: RAMPing Up Creative Connections

There are some major additions to the Recovering Airmen Mentorship Program (RAMP) in 2020. This pandemic allowed us to take a hard look inward regarding the best ways to provide meaningful services to our Wounded, Ill and Injured Warriors, and staff.  Prior to this situation we were much more high tech, and although we were utilizing today’s technology, we had not tapped into it as much as we learned that we can. We attended CARE events, Warrior Games, and Invictus Games, which allowed us to make meaningful face-to-face contact with our warriors. Warriors would come to visit us at our workplace.  We were in constant contact with our warriors physically.  Then the world stood still, and a no-contact order was put in place to mitigate this pandemic.  The way that our staff had previously kept in close contact with our warriors was temporarily halted. 

Innovation took place to reattach the severed avenues that connect us as humans. We became more creative in our ways to connect. We realized just how much MORE we could reach our population via virtual platforms and tools that had never been so heavily utilized. Our warriors have stepped up to the plate and shared their vulnerabilities, compassion, testimonies, and talents in front of the camera, which has reached people across the globe (even folks in Australia, who are not military affiliated in any way!) Our teams are so proud of our determined AFW2 Warriors, Caregivers, and staff, who have demonstrated the vast array of resilient and interesting people who make up the AFW2 family.  The RAMP team pushed forward with drive, creativity, and determination to think outside the box and continue engaging with our warriors. We will continue to connect virtually and communicate more than ever via high tech to a high touch audience. 

For now, we are sending virtual hugs to each of you. Thank you for demonstrating what it means to persevere and to serve others. Thank you for your flexibility, your time, your patience, and your dedication to our mission: Care Beyond Duty.