It is an honor and privilege to be joined by a very special guest for our Veterans Day episode, Kia Baker --US Navy veteran; Creator and Host of The Female Veterans Podcast; Co-Host of The Open Books Open Minds Podcast; Founder of Artemesia--An organization dedicated to aiding homeless female veterans; And Author of her first fiction novel based loosely on her experiences in the military during the 1990s.

Kia Baker has been working with and assisting veterans for over twenty years,  to navigate the unfamiliar waters of reintegration into the community following active duty. She assists veterans to receive the proper resources and medical assistance rightfully owed to them as a result of their service to country through the Veterans Administration (VA). After years of personal struggle to finally get the proper care and benefits she was entitled to and fighting the system to uphold their end of the "Claims and Pensions" benefits program, Kia realized she needed to do more. There are far too many military veterans that are homeless, lacking proper medical treatment and mental health care, and are committing suicide at alarming rates.

Her podcast, The Female Veterans Podcast, is dedicated to honoring the stories of Veteran Heroes that swore an oath to protect and serve their country and the struggles, challenges, and obstacles they overcame (both during active duty and upon discharge from military service. Topics include: Struggling to reintegrate back into civilian life; PTSD; Military Sexual Assault;  Bullying; Racism; Don't Ask, Don't Tell and backlash against the LGBTQ soldier(s); Domestic Violence; Medical ailments and receiving proper treatment; Homelessness and Suicide Rates, and much more.

Serving as the Foundation of Support for our Sisters in Crisis; Kia Baker founded Artemesia, an organization dedicated to aiding homeless female veterans to receive their rightful benefits from the VA. She also plans to provide Grants for female veterans to have a solid foundation of support through housing/share living spaces, access to furniture, household goods, and clothing, work training programs, and a family friendly supportive environment. 

Kia Baker would like to extend a very special Thank You to Passageways, Providing Hope for our Military Veteran Heroes, of Wichita, Kansas.  

Passageways was founded in 2014, in the hearts of Jennifer and Susan, with a vision to impact the population of homeless and near homeless Veterans living on the streets in greater Wichita, Kansas. Their mission is "to assist every Veteran that walks through our doors to achieve their individual goals and provide essential tools and resources for housing stability, independence and self-sustainability." https://www.passagewaysltd.org  In the few short years since inception, Passageways has successfully graduated over 80 previously homeless men and has served over 2,500 U.S. Veterans. After major success, and by listening to the surrounding Wichita community, Passageways will begin Phase II in early 2020 to serve the needs of men, women, and families who are facing or experiencing homelessness. If you would like to make a donation or Become a Partner, please call 316.721.1316 or check their website above.

Thank you Kia Baker for all the Positivity you Add to the world!! xo

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