TheFrontlines.com
The Frontlines streamlines resource processes by providing direct communication between the veteran and resource agencies.
A propos de vous
A propos de vous
Prénom
Melissa
Nom
Reinke
URL Twitter
http://twitter.com/#!/thefrontlines_
URL Facebook
A propos de votre organisation
Nom
The Frontlines
Site Web
Pays
États Unis, TN, Davidson County
Pays dans lesquels ce projet crée un impact social
États Unis, XX
Votre organisation est-elle une
Entreprise
Depuis combien de temps votre organisation opère-t-elle ?
Moins d'un année
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Innovation
Titre du formulaire de participation
TheFrontlines.com
Sélectionnez la phase qui s'applique le mieux à votre solution
Croissance (votre pilote fonctionne et commence à prendre de l'ampleur)
Depuis combien de temps le projet existe-t-il ?
En place depuis moins d'1 an
Le besoin : décrivez le besoin auquel répond votre solution et la taille/dynamique de la ou des communautés auxquelles vous vous adressez.
Veterans and their descendants represent nearly 1/3 of the total U.S. population, and yet only 8 million veterans currently access their benefits (Department of Veterans Affairs, 2010). At least 400,000 uniform record locators providing support and services are listed on the National Resource Directory. Veterans have a lot of information and services available, but no integration, and little consistency amongst them.
Moreover, since 1973, the policy of not drafting civilians contributes to a lack of national focus, and as a result, fewer Americans are taking an interest in our nation's safety. During World War II, 12% of the population fought in the war; 2% in Vietnam, and now less than 1% of Americans fight in today’s wars. (Harvard University, 2007). This lack of personal connection contributes to the overall problems our country faces.
View this video to see why The Frontlines is needed. [video:http://vimeo.com/22499479]
La solution : expliquez en quoi consiste votre solution et dans quelle mesure elle est innovante. Comment comptez-vous mettre votre solution à disposition des utilisateurs et des bénéficiaires ? Soyez précis !
Veterans have a lot of information and services available, but no integration, and little consistency amongst them. The Frontlines (TF) filters these resources and tailors them to the individual needing assistance through use of a comprehensive database and our software. TF is the only dedicated social utility network that enhances communication and information for veterans by uniting these 400,000 record locators and organizations under one common operating system.
In addition, TF is building customized, state-approved, veteran-oriented history lessons for schools across America. Each lesson plan will entail each of our nation's wars and the overall concept that selfless service to nation is also service to oneself. These lessons will not glorify war, but instead focus on the personal stories of service, sacrifice, and commitment to one another. By bringing the stories and veterans to the classroom we seek not to promote military service, but rather make a personal connection with our nation’s youths that inspires selfless service in whatever avenue it manifests.
Le modèle : donnez un exemple détaillé de la manière dont votre solution fait la différence grâce à l'utilisation des technologies de l'information et des médias.
The Frontlines (TF) accomplishes our mission by providing customized resources, blog, forum, and personalized social networks so that users can interact with one another, and possibly connect with former service members. Additionally, TF encompasses all forms of storytelling by utilizing social media in order to allow individuals to share their stories through videos, pictures, letters, art, or songs. There is also the ability to post book, movie, and gear reviews of items of interest by those affiliated with the military.
The disconnect between resources and veterans prohibits those in need from gaining valuable information. “Today due in part to the surge in claims from Iraq/Afghan wars, VBA has a backlog of 400,000 claims. VBA now takes an average of 177 days (six months) to process an original claim, and an average of 657 days (nearly two years) to process an appeal” (The Long-term Costs of Providing Medical and Disability Benefits, 2007).
A mobile device application will extend the communications methods beyond The Frontlines website and allow veterans to access information from anywhere.
Le marché : qui sont vos pairs et vos concurrents ? Comment ces acteurs peuvent-ils gêner votre réussite ou votre croissance ?
Nearly 400,000 resources are listed on the National Resource Directory, however, none of them are found and accessed under one umbrella until now. The Frontlines is the only dedicated social utility network that enhances communication and information for veterans by uniting the over 400,000 uniform record locators and organizations that support veterans under one common operating system.
In an effort to increase our services, we are grateful to Warrior Gateway who has given us 44,000 services and organizations as part of our growing database.
Impact social
This Entry is about (Issues)
Point de départ : nous voulons que vous nous racontiez le moment où l'idée vous est venue. Racontez où et quand le ou les fondateurs ont compris dans quelle mesure cette solution pouvait changer le monde.
Serving our country for over 17 years has solidified my unwavering belief in selfless service. In addition, it has provided me insight between military and civilian cultural divides. I am continually reminded of our civic duty to care for those who have selflessly sacrificed for our country. Recently diagnosed with a recurrent medical condition, I have confronted the associated stigma of serving my nation within an altered capacity. I frequently travel to Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital. During one of these visits, I witnessed a soldier struggling to adjust his camouflaged backpack. This individual battled silently, without assistance, but instead with stares as he exited the medical hospital. This young soldier was a dual amputee, facing a military discharge, and forced to re-learn life without legs. This soldier inspired me to launch The Frontlines (TF) website.
Précisez l'ampleur et la portée de l'impact social de votre solution à ce jour.
Since our November 11, 2010 launch, within the first 90 days I personally collected over 1,000 videos, art, audio, pictures and songs from a wide variety of sources and individuals, and posted them on The Frontlines website. My personal expenses to create, launch, and collect veteran and their family's stories has been $16,861 (as of February 26, 2011). In comparison, the Library of Congress which has an FY 2010 of $699.4 million (increase of $52.6 million, or 8.1% above FY 2009, p. b) and their Veteran History Project has “amassed approximately 60,000 collections” since October 27, 2000 but “with approximately 10 percent of collections digitized’ (Library of Congress, p. 210). While I applaud their efforts, it is my firm belief that in an era of fiscal responsibility we can do better.
Quel est l'impact envisagé de votre projet dans les un à cinq ans à venir ? Votre idée peut-elle être reproduite ? Si oui, comment ?
By expanding the networking capability of the website to better facilitate communications between all veteran-related organizations at the federal, state, and local level, we plan to increase by 75% the number of veterans and their families that access the services of our website and the number of veteran “dossiers” by 90% by January 1, 2012. We also plan to partner with nonprofit organizations specifically serving the veteran community by 50% within two years, 75% within three years, and 90% within five years. Moreover, we plan to increase our web traffic steadily throughout the next five years eventually reaching at least 12,500,000 hits monthly by 2016.
Les projets gagnants sont ceux qui expliquent clairement comment ils comptent assurer et maintenir leur croissance. Indiquez votre plan de développement de l'impact sur six mois.
To increase number of veteran and family access by 75% and veteran dossiers by 90%
Les tâches de 6 mois
Tâche 1:
Expanding the networking capability of the website to better facilitate communications between all veteran-related organizations
Tâche 2:
Expand Search Engine Optimization to better reach targeted online populations as well as build a mobile application
Tâche 3:
Partner with nonprofit organizations specifically serving the veteran community in order to spread news about TF
Et maintenant, voyez plus grand ! Indiquez votre plan de développement de l'impact sur 12 mois.
Creation of Korean War, Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan history lesson plans to promote selfless service in America
Les tâches de 12 mois
Tâche 1:
Hire program administrators to write plans utilizing gathered veteran dossiers
Tâche 2:
Identify schools willing to implement TF lesson plans
Tâche 3:
Fund lesson plans in schools
Combien de personnes ont été touchées par votre projet ?
1,001 - 10,000
Combien de personnes pourraient être touchées par votre projet au cours des trois prochaines années ?
Plus de 10,000
Viabilité
Expliquez comment votre entreprise, programme, service ou produit est structuré.
Modèle hybride
Quels obstacles ont freiné la réussite de votre projet jusqu'à présent ? Comment prévoyez-vous de surmonter ces problèmes et les autres à mesure que votre projet se développera ?
In an effort to keep the service free to veterans and their families, The Frontlines has, thus far, been self-sustained by founder Nathan Tierney. As a community-oriented business, and not a non-profit, funding has been difficult to come by in the form of grants. Nathan is looking into either becoming a non-profit or selling the company if funding does not come through soon.
Comment voyez-vous l'évolution des secteurs des technologies de l'information et des médias sur les 10 prochaines années ? Comment votre solution s'adaptera-t-elle à cet environnement changeant ? De quelle manière votre solution pourrait-elle entraîner ce changement ?
The Frontlines will not only offer a convenient location for veterans and their families, it will create an online marketplace of ideas, fellowship, and propriety for generations new and old.
L'échec n'est pas toujours une option. Si votre solution ne parvient pas à prendre de la vitesse au cours des deux prochaines années, quelles sont les autres applications de l'idée que vous pourriez explorer ?
Nathan Tierney's passion for increasing civil activism and ownership will not be bound strictly to The Frontlines. The creation and maintenance of The Frontlines has only increased his fervor. The Frontlines may soon seek non-profit status or corporate buy-out. No matter what the form, The Frontlines is destined to meet the needs of veterans and their families for free for years down the road.
Donnez des détails sur vos choix en expliquant votre plan de financement.
The Frontlines seeks to not be a mere tool or application but an ideal and a symbol from which others may be inspired toward selfless service. Expanding the role of The Frontlines beyond a content based storytelling website into a platform that provides resources and education is dependent upon our ability to develop innovative ways of empowering veterans and their families. To sustain the website we rely on Google Adsense and our affiliate with Amazon. These are influenced by the amount of traffic to The Frontlines.
Quels sont vos différents partenariats ?
Storytellers receive no money for their efforts. However, 100% of all donations made on The Frontlines is given directly to the nonprofit organizations Wounded Warrior Project, or The Fisher House. Future plans are to expand the choices of vetted nonprofits that support veterans and military families. Giving individuals the freedom to choose and donate to vetted nonprofits is essential in creating self governance.
Quel type d'équipe (salariés, volontaires, etc.) vous permettra d'atteindre les objectifs de croissance décrits à la section Impact social ?
Presently, we have interns and volunteers from Georgetown, Iowa, California, Tennessee, South Korea, Kentucky and elsewhere helping to spread the word about The Frontlines. These dedicated men and women are imprinted with a spirit of selfless service, leaders in encouraging active citizenship, community development, and are building social capital through their efforts on behalf of active duty, veterans, and military families. Through volunteer efforts we serve to enhance engagement and confidence between government, organizations and citizens.
Changemakers est un espace de collaboration et de soutien. Indiquez les ressources communautaires dont vous auriez besoin pour développer durablement votre initiative. Sélectionnez toutes les réponses qui s'appliquent
Investissement, b. Ressources humaines/talents, Marketing/médias, Recherche/informations, Collaboration/réseautage, Aide bénévole (juridique, financière, etc.), Innovation/idées, Tutorat.
Indiquez les ressources que vous pourriez offrir pour aider d'autres initiatives. Sélectionnez toutes les réponses qui s'appliquent
b. Ressources humaines/talents, Marketing/médias, Recherche/informations, Collaboration/réseautage, Innovation/idées, Tutorat.
Détaillez les besoins ou les offres d'aide indiqués ci-dessus et/ou suggérez d'autres catégories de soutien qui ne figurent pas dans la liste.
Spreading awareness about our existence and generating a national/international traction is perhaps the most difficult endeavor of any new idea or movement. While we have been innovative in our methods, new ways of spreading awareness are always of interest.
Résumé
Définissez votre entreprise, programme, service ou produit en une ou deux phrases courtes.
The Frontlines is the first social network designed to empower all members of the armed forces through resources and education.
Expliquez en quoi votre solution est innovante en une ou deux phrases courtes.
The Frontlines streamlines resource processes by providing direct communication between the veteran and resource agencies.
 | 42 weeks agoMelissa Reinke updated this Competition Entry. |
| 42 weeks agoMelissa Reinke updated this Competition Entry. |
| 42 weeks agoMelissa Reinke updated this Competition Entry. |
| 42 weeks agoMelissa Reinke submitted this idea. |