By: Randi Cairns

Almost daily, people can expect to be bombarded with the latest news report, research, or commentary about how technology is a curse. We hear how we’re less connected to each other now than we’ve ever been before and how we’ve become so reliant on computers and social media that we’ve forgotten how to interact with each other in meaningful ways.

Well, one small—but mighty—nonprofit is turning those ideas on their heads by using digital tools to strengthen their nonprofit’s mission.

Healing Household 6 (HH6) connects caregivers of American veterans with the essential resources needed to strengthen the family support foundation. Their goal is to build resilient households by focusing on the wellbeing of the whole family, helping alleviate household tension, and empowering caregivers and children. They offer programs for domestic violence assistance, emergency financial assistance, and peer support for caregivers of wounded warriors. They also partner with other organizations to provide services and retreats to children of wounded warriors.

HH6 has learned to use technology in ways that strengthen rather than weaken connections between their work and the clients they serve.

Social media platforms, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, help them relay information about events and classes offered in collaboration with their partners, post resource lists, and share new research on veterans and changes within the VA and VBA. And due to the sensitive and often confidential nature of the work they do, social media is often how individuals in need of support are able to find them and then access the services they provide.

They use secure apps such as Salesforce, offered by the Military Veteran Caregiver Network, for safe and secure peer support.

WebEx, a portal that allows them to interact in real time with attendees, makes it possible for Household Healing 6 to hold board meetings, volunteer training, and informative briefs with a geographically diverse group of people.

Through Network for Good, they have support with fundraising, marketing plans, mass emails, thank you letters, and donation reports.

Household Healing 6 knows that when they use technology to their advantage, it gives them the time, resources, and opportunity to build meaningful relationships with their clients, their partners, and the community at large.

To learn more about this organization, visit Healing Household 6.