The Rand Corporation, in a report issued last year, found that one in five veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from either post-traumatic stress or depression.

Under the current "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" statute, the US Military discharges, on average, two service members per day, solely based on their sexual orientation.

With statistics like these, it is obvious that helping our LGBTQ Veterans is a priority. The Mehadi Foundation's peer-support retreats have provided a safe space for over 30 veterans to heal and connect with others.

Given the success of these retreats and the need of this underrepresented minority, we are hosting four more in the next year.

Read more about our LGBTQ Veteran Retreats

"Only 30 percent of children nationwide have access to safe drinking water in Iraq, and only 20 percent of people outside Baghdad have a working sewerage service."

-UN Children's Fund

The Mehadi Foundation recently partnered with the Iraqi & American Reconciliation Project to provide clean, fresh water to the Al Hadi Boy's High School in Najaf. The newly installed filter will provide nearly 200 gallons of drinkable water to the school each day.

We intend on expanding this effort to bring clean water to four more Iraqi institutions in need in the next year.

Read more about our Clean Water efforts