Marine Corps veteran serves as Executive Director of St. Louis based FOCUS Marines Foundation
ST. LOUIS — Each month on FOX 2, we select the recipient of our Proud to Serve award. Today, we salute Jennifer Jefferson, a Marine Corps veteran. She and her husband both served in the Marines. Following active service, Jennifer began volunteering with the FOCUS Marines Foundation as a mentor, team leader and Board member. She eventually became the Executive Director! FOCUS Marines Foundation was created in 2010 by Marines who served in the Corps years ago because they understand firsthand, the issues of transitioning from military to civilian life. It is estimated that over 20 veterans commit suicide every day in the United States.
FOCUS Marines Foundation is St. Louis based, but supports veterans from across the country. It’s a retreat program that flies veterans to Augusta, MO for a multi-faceted, seven-day, workshop retreat to help participants realize they are not alone in their challenges and allows participants to build a support network. Following the retreat, the foundation follows up with participants virtually to ensure each person continues in their positive pathway. FOCUS Marines Foundation is a step towards putting FOCUS tools and techniques into action.
Jennifer’s co-worker nominated her:
“Jennifer is the Executive Director of the FOCUS Marines Foundation and a Marine. FOCUS is a non-profit 501c3 organization that develops and administers programs for wounded warriors to assist them in transitioning from military to civilian lives. Jennifer leads the helm to have Veterans come from all over the country to the St. Louis area for our 7-day program and help them on their journey of a mission for a better life. Being a Veteran herself, our participants trust that Jennifer will take care of them and help guide them through this program. Jennifer is there for the tricky first call for these Veterans with wounds both seen and unseen till graduation day and then some. FOCUS has two monthly Zoom calls so the graduates do not self-isolate and fall into that dark place they worked so hard to leave. Jennifer sets up these calls and helps facilitate them. Knowing the horrible statistic of the loss of 22 Veterans a day to suicide, there is no telling how many lives Jennifer has saved. She is genuinely a fantastic leader who deserves acknowledgment for it!”
Jennifer receives $500 from Brown & Brown Law Firm and FOX 2’s Proud to Serve Award. If you would like to nominate a 1st responder, military or veteran, click here.
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