George Mason University provides a number of direct services to service members, veterans, and their families through our educational training and research. These services include health and wellness activities, psychological care, legal services, and more.
Veterans and the Arts Initiative
George Mason University’s Veterans and the Arts Initiative has served as an arts and community hub for more than 16,000 military-connected people since 2014. They offer free, hands-on workshops, art exhibitions featuring Veterans’ artwork, and concerts for our local Veterans, Servicemembers, and military family members (including military partners and kids). In addition, they conduct research on how engagement with the arts contributes to health and well-being. Programs include:
- Veterans Guitar Workshop Series
- Ukulele Workshop Series
- Songwriting Series for Military Kids
- Visual Art Workshop Series
- Performances and special events
Center for Community Mental Health
George Mason University’s Center for Community Mental Health is a training facility for students in behavioral health programs that serves the broader community. Trained students deliver mental health services under the close supervision of licensed faculty members. Through a philanthropic fund, the Jennifer DiMauro Honor Fund, CCMH offers free therapy and psychological assessments for service members, veterans, and their family members. Services include:
- Conducts comprehensive psychological assessments for veterans to assess PTSD and/or effects of TBI
- Work with legal teams to determine if PTSD/effects of TBI are service connected
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS)
As law students at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School complete their degree, they engage in applied learning by handling cases under the close supervision of a faculty member who is a barred attorney. These cases are completely pro bono (free of charge) for service members, veterans, and their family members in a variety of litigation and non-litigation matters. Services include:
- Free legal representation to active-duty servicemembers, veterans and their dependents
- Assistance related to the appeal of initial (partial or total) denials of VA disability compensation claims, the filing of requests for increases in ratings, and appeals to the Board of Veterans Appeals and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
- Services for civil matters in courts in Northern Virginia
Support of Local PreK-12 Schools
The College of Education and Human Development offers support to local school districts, often intertwined with providing students in the College with applied learning opportunities.
- Dr. Jennifer Drake Patrick serves on the Military Connected Youth Process Action team in Fairfax County Public Schools and supports their course for teachers about working with military-connected youth.
- Starting in Summer 2023, George Mason University hosted “Student Ambassador Day” events on campus for local high school students who act as student ambassadors within their high schools. These students, who frequently interact with military children who are new to specific schools, receive training and support throughout the day in understanding their roles and some of the specific challenges faced by military children during transition. The events are led by George Mason faculty and students, in partnership with school district leadership.
- In recognition of their extensive partnerships, George Mason, Ft. Belvoir, and Fairfax County schools were awarded a 2024 Partnership of Excellence Award from the Military Child Education Coalition.
- The Veterans Alumni Chapter was established in October 2021 in response to a demand for greater veteran alumni representation at George Mason University. Membership in the chapter is open to all veteran and military service members who are alumni, faculty, and students of George Mason University. Veteran and military alumni families are also welcome to join. Membership of the chapter is free.
- Access recordings of prior MVFI-sponsored webinars related to behavioral health and other topics within the military and veteran community. Many webinars include resource documents.