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Yuma Haidara draws inspiration from non-profit organizations dedicated to helping veterans. She found solace and healing through her involvement, recognizing the personal benefits and fulfillment such work brings. Looking back, Haidara acknowledges her contributions to others, realizing that her efforts have been rewarding and meaningful.

Each non-profit Haidara has worked with employs its own methods for assessing effectiveness, utilizing various metrics to measure impact. Waypoint Vets, for example, maintains a high level of transparency, with no one receiving a salary and a nationwide outreach to veterans.

During her first year as a WIT Image Team Member at WIT鈥檚 Accelerate! Conference in Dallas, Haidara heard much about Sarah Lee from fellow team members. They described Lee as someone who shares Haidara's dedication to veterans and suggested their stories were similar. Because of a hectic schedule, Haidara did not initially meet Lee. On the last day, a chance encounter while waiting for coffee led to their introduction, sparked by a conversation about Lee's experience bringing veterans to Vietnam.

Haidara's best friend encouraged her to attend a retreat, believing it would be beneficial for her mental health, which had been challenged over the past three years. These retreats offered outdoor adventures such as rock climbing and rappelling, along with nightly sessions led by a mental health coach. Initially hesitant, Haidara realized through conversations with Lee that her friend had participated in one of Lee's trips. Lee, known for selecting staff who share her mission, invited Haidara to join a future retreat. Accepting the invitation, Haidara found the experience transformative, helping her move from survival mode to healing.

On the last evening of the retreat, Lee invited Haidara to join her staff. Though surprised and uncertain about her ability to help others while still recovering herself, Haidara eventually accepted. She attended a leadership training session, learning how to support participants and meeting her new colleagues, which helped her feel more comfortable in her role.

Her first trip as a staff member was to the Rocky Mountains, where she handled administrative tasks and data collection. Experiencing the retreats from a support perspective was profoundly healing and fulfilling. Haidara found that focusing on helping others pulled her away from her own chaos, filling her with a sense of purpose and connection.

Haidara appreciates the connections made through organizations like WIT. "It filled my cup so much. It's crazy how it comes around full circle," Haidara states. She loves the fact that she met Lee through WIT. She believes it is invaluable to increase veterans' presence in the trucking industry, providing opportunities and resources that many may not realize they need.

Individual sponsors play a critical role by donating and redeeming airline points to support veterans. Their generosity makes a meaningful difference, and Haidara hopes others will feel encouraged to contribute, knowing their support truly matters.

Understanding the profound impact non-profits have on veterans, Haidara is committed to this work. Having lost many close to her, she hopes her story inspires others to support veteran organizations, emphasizing that even small acts of kindness can save lives and make a difference in the community.

Local resources are often more accessible than many realize, and Haidara encourages everyone to get involved. Small acts of support can be mighty, and sharing information helps build a community united in assisting veterans and spreading awareness.

Haidara reflects on her own journey, recognizing that her previous involvement was motivated by a desire to help and organize outdoor trips. Only after experiencing personal challenges did she understand the depth of support these organizations provide, giving her a renewed sense of purpose to continue showing up and helping however she can.

In addition to her non-profit work, Haidara continues to drive and train for Walmart, which she enjoys. She sees herself as a small part of a larger community of people dedicated to helping veterans, united by a shared mission and passion.

• Waypoint Vets: A veteran-run 501(c)(3) organization devoted to uniting and empowering veterans through camaraderie and adventure. Their therapeutic retreats blend mental and physical challenges with the tranquility of nature, providing lasting healing and clarity. Waypoint Vets addresses issues like Post Traumatic Stress, Military Sexual Trauma, and Suicidal Ideation nationwide, honoring the fallen by focusing on health and happiness together

Waypoint Vets unites and empowers veterans through therapeutic retreats that blend mental and physical challenges with the tranquility of nature, providing lasting healing and clarity.

• Azimuth Check Foundation (ACF): ACF supports veterans' physical, mental, social, and emotional health, fostering wellness through camaraderie and challenging events such as hiking, mountaineering, fishing, climbing, and sports.

Azimuth Check Foundation supports veterans' physical, mental, social, and emotional health, fostering wellness through camaraderie and challenging events such as hiking and mountaineering.  

• Veterans on the 48: This 501(c)(3) non-profit was founded by five veterans who connected through social media-organized hikes. They lead group hikes, maintain trails, and offer women's hiking groups. Through donations, they provide gear, wilderness first aid training, and a sense of accomplishment with the NH48 finishers patch, helping veterans build self-worth and pride both on and off the trails.

Veterans on the 48is a non-profit founded by five veterans who connected through social media-organized group hikes and women鈥檚 hiking groups and maintain trails.

Related Articles:

• The Trucking Life of Yuma Haidara: 鈥淚f I Can Do It, You Can Do It!鈥�
• Professional Truck Driver HERstories: Learning from the Best
• Honoring Heroes: Wreaths Across America and the Power of Remembrance
• Celebrating the Women Behind the Wheel This Truck Driver Appreciation Week
• Veterans and Trucking 

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