Hidden Heroes, a major campaign from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, brings attention to the untold stories of military caregivers and seeks solutions for the tremendous challenges and long-term needs they face. Their goals are to raise awareness of the issues military caregivers confront every day, inspire individuals, businesses, and communities to take action in supporting military caregivers in their communities, and establish a national registry by encouraging military caregivers to register at HiddenHeroes.org to better connect them to helpful resources and support.
Join The Movement
The Hidden Heroes campaign allows military and veteran caregivers in the United States to register themselves on an interactive map to get connected to services and support. The map also shows the location of nearby Dole Caregiver Fellows, Hidden Heroes Cities, and VA Medical Centers.
The Caregiver Journey Map
To help the public understand the challenges military and veteran caregivers experience, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation collaborated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Philips to create the Caregiver Journey Map. The map is an ongoing effort to document the military caregiver journey and the impact it can have on the caregiver's wellbeing.
Learn more about the Caregiver Journey Map
A Call To Action
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation challenges the entire nation to respond to the military caregiving crisis with helpful solutions. Resources are available on their website for how businesses, nonprofits, communities, and individuals can help. The foundation also offers toolkits to provide ideas about how to get involved in supporting military caregivers.
Hidden Heroes Proclamation Ceremony
On September 14, 2020, Governor Pete Ricketts signed a proclamation recognizing military caregivers as "Hidden Heroes" and announcing that the State of Nebraska has become a Hidden Heroes state. Andrea Dorsey of Omaha spoke on behalf of military caregivers in Nebraska and as a representative of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's Hidden Heroes program. She described the challenging and rewarding work of caring for her husband, Joe, a military veteran and Purple Heart recipient who was injured in an explosion while serving in Iraq. You can read more of Andrea's story here.
With the signing of this proclamation, Nebraska has become the 156th community and the fourth state to become a Hidden Heroes Community. Read Governor Ricketts' press release on the signing here.
Click Here to Download the Hidden Heroes Proclamation
In the News
- Gov. Ricketts proclaims military caregivers as “Hidden Heroes”
- Nebraska Becomes Fourth State To Sign Hidden Heroes Proclamation
- Pledging Support for Military Caregivers
- Nebraska honors caregivers of wounded military members as ‘hidden heroes’
- Nebraska 156th community to join "Hidden Heroes" campaign
- Governor Ricketts declares Nebraska a ‘Hidden Heroes’ state
- Nebraska governor recognizes military caregivers as ‘Hidden Heroes’
VA Caregiver Resources
VA Caregiver Support Home - Find resources for caregivers, learn what programs are available, find your caregiver support coordinator, and more.
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers - Find out if you may be eligible and how to apply for PCAFC, which provides resources, education, support, a financial stipend, and health insurance (if eligible), beneficiary travel (if eligible), to caregivers of eligible Veterans.
Call the Caregiver Support Line at 855-260-3274, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. CT, and Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CT.