Give an Hour

Give an Hour
Name	Give an Hour
Formation	2005
Type	Nonprofit organization
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Services	Mental health counseling, pro bono psychotherapy

Give an Hour is a United States-based nonprofit organization providing free mental health services through a network of volunteer professionals to individuals affected by deployments, disasters, and crises. Founded in 2005, the organization mobilized licensed clinicians to offer pro bono psychotherapy to veterans, service members, families, and first responders. Its work intersects with national policy debates, public health initiatives, and veteran service networks.

History

Give an Hour was established in 2005 amid concerns about psychological injuries related to the Iraq War and the Afghanistan War. Early activities involved coordinating volunteer clinicians in the Washington, D.C. area and forming links with institutions such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and advocacy groups like Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and the Wounded Warrior Project. The organization expanded services following high-profile events, partnering with federal entities like the White House Office and research centers such as the RAND Corporation and the National Institutes of Health to shape responses after mass casualty incidents including Hurricane Katrina and the Boston Marathon bombing. Over time, Give an Hour worked alongside professional bodies like the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the National Association of Social Workers to scale a volunteer clinician model across metropolitan areas including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston.

Mission and Programs

The stated mission emphasizes accessible, no-cost mental health care for populations affected by Iraq War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), natural disasters, and traumatic public events. Core programs include individual psychotherapy referrals, outreach to military families, and specialized initiatives for first responders from agencies such as the New York City Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Give an Hour has run public-awareness campaigns in collaboration with media partners and nonprofit coalitions like the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. Programmatic work has also supported survivors of incidents linked to groups such as Al-Qaeda-inspired attacks, while coordinating with academic partners at institutions including Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins University, and Harvard University for training and evaluation.

Organizational Structure and Leadership

The organization was led by founding executives and governed by a board comprising professionals drawn from philanthropy, clinical practice, and public service, with advisors from entities such as the American Red Cross and think tanks including the Brookings Institution and the Heritage Foundation. Clinical advisory councils have included members affiliated with universities like University of Pennsylvania and hospitals including Massachusetts General Hospital and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Leadership engaged with policymakers from the United States Congress and partnered with military commands and veterans’ organizations including the Veterans Health Administration to align services. Regional coordinators worked with state-level actors such as the offices of governors in states like Virginia, Maryland, and Texas to expand networks.

Funding and Partnerships

Financial support derived from philanthropic foundations, corporate donors, and institutional grants, with partnerships involving organizations like the Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and corporate philanthropy arms of companies headquartered in cities such as New York City and Seattle. Collaborative grants came from federal programs administered by agencies including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and academic research funding from the National Science Foundation. Strategic partnerships were maintained with veteran service organizations such as AMVETS, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and media campaigns linked to outlets like NPR and The Washington Post to raise visibility and resources.

Impact and Evaluation

Give an Hour reported thousands of hours of pro bono care delivered to service members, veterans, families, and first responders, with evaluations conducted in collaboration with researchers from RAND Corporation, Columbia University, and Duke University. Outcome studies assessed symptom reduction for conditions associated with combat-related trauma and post-traumatic stress, often using measures common in clinical trials overseen at institutions like National Institutes of Health. The organization’s model influenced policy dialogues in hearings before committees of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, informing recommendations from professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association and policy centers including the Center for a New American Security.

Awards and Recognition

Give an Hour and its leadership received recognition from nonprofit and civic organizations, earning commendations from veterans’ groups including Veterans of Foreign Wars and awards from civic entities in cities such as Washington, D.C. and Boston. The organization was cited in reports by national media outlets including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal for innovative use of volunteer clinician networks, and its programs were highlighted in public health forums hosted by institutions like Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

Category:Mental health organizations in the United States Category:Non-profit organizations based in Washington, D.C.