Love in Every Loop: Army Veteran’s Crochet Circle Inspires Healing

Whether it’s crocheting over coffee or tea, jazz ambiance, or just being present to problem-solve, Army Veteran Vera Howard, does all it takes to be kind to others.

“Sometimes Veterans don’t speak,” said Vera Howard, who spent four tours and 25 years in the Army whether serving on active duty, in the National Guard, or as a Reservist. “It’s important to be present and know what is outside the norm for them so you can tell if something is different. That’s when I invite them into my office to talk to me.”

Howard is a Peer Specialist for the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC) at the Atlanta VA Health Care System. She leads a crochet group because she knows it’s a skill that helps.

“I have always used crochet in my personal life. It has been there with me through the ups and downs. I turn to it when I need comfort, to think, problem-solve, to feel peaceful. It’s a real safety thing.”

Howard says she introduced crochet to Veterans so they can turn to the hobby when they feel lonely. 

“I didn’t want to get out of bed,” said Marcella Chism, a U.S. Air Force Veteran in the group. “I didn’t feel like I had a purpose because I lost my mom. This group is wonderful because we have so much love and such support and even being new, I feel like I’ve known them forever.”

Howard says Veterans can take crochet with them to their doctor appointments and it helps ground them in groups when discussing triggering topics.

Since the group started, the Atlanta VA now has an advanced group that makes dusters, pillow cushions, and blankets.

“It’s not just crochet, it’s problem-solving,” said Howard, who asked everyone to make a granny square for a shared blanket project. “A lot of times, when you have anxiety, PTSD, depression, negative self-talk arises. I can just look at an area in their stitching and know something’s wrong. Then, we talk about it and problem-solve.”

Howard tries new things in the groups and adds different elements to encourage engagement. 

“A lot of times in the military, there are not many opportunities for females to get together. This group is an opportunity to talk and bond. I’ve added different elements, including jazz music, hot tea, to show them how they can recreate this atmosphere at home,” said Howard.

The Veterans are referred to the PRRC by a mental health provider. It’s a 12-to-18-month program and Veterans choose between one to three groups. However, Howard says, recovery is a lifetime thing.

“When I was going through my mental health journey, a family member wanted to talk to me, but I wasn’t myself. I saw their disappointment when they didn’t find the me they expected to find. That really affected me. When you disappoint other people, and see it all over their face, you never want to do that again,” Howard said.

Howard uses crochet to work through her anxiety. During her time in service, she deployed four times including Bosnia, Iraq, Kosovo, and Kuwait. 

Kevin Cook, a Supervisory Peer Specialist at VA St Louis Healthcare System at the time, knew Howard when she would help Veterans in the Whole Health Service.

“Vera was passionate about her job and everything I saw her do,” said Cook. “I saw her speaking with Veterans, and I just had a feeling that she would be a great peer support specialist. I've been wrong about a lot of things, but I was right about that!”

The Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Health Care System selected Vera Howard as the 2024 Peer Specialist of the Year for modeling what recovery looks like daily. 

“Every day is an opportunity I can help,” said Howard. “You never know if you might miss an opportunity. If I can help, I will.”

VIDEO: See how this crochet group crafts comfort for others

What services to peer specialists provide?

Learn more here: https://www.veteranshealthlibrary.va.gov/Search/142,41684_VA 

Veterans are encouraged to discuss their interest in PRRC groups with their mental health provider.