JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For a group of local veterans, a cooking class in Jacksonville is serving up more than just a meal.
Veterans with the Wounded Warrior Project have been meeting for a series of cooking classes over the past month. In their final class, they learned how to make risotto and chicken — but many say the real takeaway is connection and community.
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“I think one of the biggest things is I’ve learned about how much connection means to them,” said Rob Louis, Senior Public Relations Specialist with Wounded Warrior Project. “Getting together with other warriors, getting together [with] families, getting together in their community is really important to them.”
In a survey that Wounded Warrior Project conducted across its organization, the nonprofit found that two out of three veterans and service members said they feel lonely. And 79% reported they sometimes or often feel isolated — something programs like these cooking classes aim to change.
Veterans Lauren and Anthony Griffin said the classes have helped them get out of the house and re-engage with everyday life.
“It gets us to be out more and to interact more with the real world and learning new experiences, especially together and as a family,” they said.
Lauren said being around other women who have served has been especially meaningful.
“It is absolutely great, especially with females,” she said. “I used to be in an all-male unit when I first got there, where they were implementing females. So it’s good to have other veterans who understand.”
For veteran Natalie Marcano, Wounded Warrior Project became a lifeline during one of the most difficult times in her life.
“I joined Wounded Warriors in 2016,” Marcano said. “At that time, I was homeless for two years here in Jacksonville, and so I would say my struggle kind of turned into learning resources and what can help me, and Wounded Warrior was one of the core programs that assisted me through my homelessness journey.”
Marcano said for a long time she isolated herself and didn’t feel like she had a safe place to share what she’d been through.
“I was self-isolating, also kind of not telling my whole story because I never felt like I had a safe space to do that,” she said. “Knowing that we all did something similar and so we have that bond with each other, it feels safe.”
Louis said Wounded Warrior Project hosts between 15 and 20 events a month in Jacksonville, giving veterans multiple opportunities to connect, socialize and find support.
Lauren and Anthony hope others who are struggling will reach out.
“I would definitely say to get in contact with someone if you’re having any issues or mental health problems,” they said. “The Wounded Warriors are good with finding — they’ll help you with anything. They might not have all the answers, but they’ll do their best to find what you need.”
If you’re a veteran or active-duty military member and are looking for connection or resources, visit woundedwarriorproject.org