By Hannah Amos
 
Connection. That’s what we all crave. 

A community full of people who support each other. A community as an outlet from the stressors of the world.

The ALA and American Legion Auxiliary Foundation strive to provide a connection and outlet for our veterans, military, and their families.

For these populations, finding that special community and outlet can be challenging and isolating. The noise of everyday life tied with being a veteran or military servicemember can be overwhelming without a support network.

The ALA Foundation recently provided monetary support for a fun and unique solution for our veterans, military, and their families: videogaming. 

Across the nation, various Auxiliary units have provided gaming equipment for veteran homes and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals.

ALA Unit 283 in Pacific Palisades, Calif., is one of many that have utilized an ALA Foundation Veteran Projects Fund grant for their Comfort and Connection Via Video Games in Veteran Homes initiative to address a critical gap in veteran care.

Inspired by VA facilities around the nation implementing video games into treatment programs, Unit 283 sought to provide videogaming equipment for facilities in California, like New Directions for Veterans and Palo Alto VA Medical Center. 

With their Veteran Projects Fund grant, Unit 283 was able to provide fun and creative treatment for around 45 veterans, and create a lasting impact in those veteran care facilities. 

For each site, the unit purchased four PlayStation 5s, four monitors, three extra controllers for each, and several games. They also purchased folding tables for one location because none was available. 

The goal of the project was to establish gaming environments at veteran-focused facilities to create social spaces where veterans could engage and support each other. The gaming spaces provide veterans and the facilities access to a large digital community that will help reduce the feelings of isolation and promote connection.

The veteran care facilities where Unit 283 provided gaming equipment specialize in substance use disorder and addiction recovery, and aim to aid homeless veterans.

For these veterans, gaming provided an immediate and long-term impact. Veterans going through substance abuse recovery were able to have an accessible and familiar outlet for stress, as well as a moment of normalcy. 

ALA Unit 283 leadership also noted that gaming allowed veterans to take their mind off their troubles so they could have enjoyment during their treatment. 

Gaming goes beyond recreation, providing means to practice socialization and improve cognitive performance — like memory and problem solving.

The impact of these gaming systems in veteran-focused facilities is not just a one-time investment. Gaming bridges the gaps and brings people together, creating a community veterans can connect with.

Unit 283, with a $10,000 Veteran Projects Fund grant from the ALA Foundation, was able to give and create a source of connection and community for two veterans facilities.

Their drive to aid veterans in need in their communities was not stopped, even though they faced their own challenges.

The January 2025 Palisades Fire occurred during completion of the project. Between the evacuations, 23,448 burned acres, providing relief support for their community, and the rebuilding process, Unit 283 kept working on its Comfort and Connection project. 

Unit 283’s use of the Veteran Projects Fund grant is just one example of many Auxiliary and American Legion Family entities using an ALA Foundation grant to support veterans, military, and their families. 

To learn more about the ALA Foundation’s grants and how you can positively impact our mission, go to ALAFoundation.org. Contact the ALA Foundation by calling (317) 569-4500 or emailing ALAFoundation@ALAforVeterans.org.