Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

Overview

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Founded in 2004 by Paul Rieckhoff, an Iraq War veteran, IAVA is the first and largest organization focusing on the needs of post-9/11 veterans[1][2][3].

Mission and Purpose

IAVA's mission is to unite, empower, and connect post-9/11 veterans through education, advocacy, and community support. The organization strives to build an empowered generation of veterans who can provide sustainable leadership in their communities and the country[1][3].

Impact Areas

IAVA focuses on four key areas:

• Health: Providing access to healthcare services tailored for veterans' specific needs.
• Education: Supporting veterans in their educational pursuits and career transitions.
• Employment: Assisting veterans in finding meaningful employment opportunities.
• Community: Building lasting relationships among veterans and their families through community events and online support networks[1][2].

Programs and Advocacy

IAVA hosts numerous events nationwide to help veterans connect with each other and gain access to various services. The organization is also actively involved in policy advocacy, often shaping legislative initiatives on Capitol Hill related to veterans' issues[1][3].

Leadership and History

Paul Rieckhoff founded IAVA and served as its CEO until 2019. He was succeeded by Jeremy Butler, a U.S. Navy veteran, who led the organization until 2023. Currently, Allison Jaslow, a U.S. Army veteran, serves as the CEO[3].

Policy Agenda

IAVA publishes an annual policy agenda that addresses key issues affecting veterans, including combat suicide prevention, VA reform, support for injuries from burn pits, protection of veteran education benefits, recognition of women veterans, and medical cannabis support[3].

Events and Initiatives

In 2016, IAVA hosted a televised Commander-in-Chief Forum with Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump to discuss defense and veterans' issues[3]. The organization continues to engage in national discussions on veterans' concerns and hosts local events known as VetTogethers to build community ties[3].