CoBank, a cooperative bank serving agribusinesses, rural infrastructure providers and Farm Credit associations throughout the United States, has announced that it has renewed its commitment in 2020 to No Barriers Warriors, a program for rural veterans with disabilities. The bank is once again inviting customers to nominate disabled veterans from rural communities to take part in the program.
CoBank partners with the Colorado-based No Barriers organization, to support the nonprofit’s Warriors program. No Barriers Warriors is designed to help veterans tackle personal challenges by stretching physical and emotional boundaries to overcome barriers and creating a catalyst for positive change. CoBank sponsors a series of four No Barriers Warriors wilderness expeditions each year, covering the full cost of participation for up to 50 veterans. CoBank will also sponsor a group of veterans with disabilities to attend the No Barriers Summit on Sept. 18, 2020, in San Francisco, California.
Each CoBank-sponsored experience includes focused online modules on No Barriers’ unique virtual platform as well as a wilderness expedition in Colorado. Experienced staff and expedition leaders guide participants through a series of physically and mentally challenging experiences that can include rafting, rock climbing, hiking and more. Throughout the experience, veterans are asked to reflect on their past, recognize their present situation and explore future possibilities. With the support of their peers, veterans have the opportunity to explore the “No Barriers Life” and, in the process, transform their own lives.
“CoBank is delighted to once again sponsor a series of No Barriers Warriors expeditions,” said Thomas Halverson, president and CEO at CoBank. “No Barriers provides CoBank with the opportunity to give back to the men and women who have sacrificed for their country through military service and to do so in partnership with our customers. Together, we can help to improve the lives of our nation’s rural veterans with disabilities.”
“No Barriers is proud to partner with CoBank for a fourth consecutive year to continue to transform the lives of our rural veterans,” said John Toth, director of the No Barriers Warriors program. “With the incredible support of CoBank and its customers, we’ve been able to make a significant impact in the lives of so many veterans and we look forward to helping even more veterans overcome the challenges in their lives.”
CoBank customers are invited to nominate an unlimited number of veterans from their communities to participate in the No Barriers Warriors program. Nomination forms and the link to the CoBank/No Barriers application can be found on CoBank.com. Applications will be accepted through April 15, 2020, and expeditions will take place in June and July. Expeditions are open to the first 50 veterans who submit their applications. Additional information and program requirements are available on www.cobank.com.