A nonprofit is giving veterans a renewed sense of purpose and a new outlook on life through the power of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Veterans Breakthrough started in February 2020 with the intention of helping veterans find a purpose after leaving service.
After noticing several of its board members trained jiu-jitsu, the nonprofit decided to host a jiu-jitsu tournament earlier this year to raise money.
The tournament raised around $30,000, prompting the nonprofit to create a scholarship program for veterans. It covers a jiu-jitsu membership for up to a year, which can cost hundreds of dollars per month.
Veterans Breakthrough founder Christopher Howard saw the addition as a way to further help veterans transition into civilian life. As a veteran himself, Howard said he struggled after leaving the military.
It wasn’t until he started training jiu-jitsu that he discovered a similar sense of purpose.
“Finding that passion, that purpose, that direction in life, was something that was so powerful,” Howard said.