CVI was developed in 2014 to provide a meaningful intellectual community to veterans who are struggling to adapt to civilian life. CVI is based on the idea that guided discussion of humanities texts can provide these veterans with an opportunity to reflect on their military experiences and move out of isolation and into community.

One grant will establish a two-year CVI program in Providence, RI. The other will support three new 12-week dialogues with veterans. Dialogues use humanities texts from the Ancient Greeks to contemporary literature to explore themes of war and reconciliation, considering universal human experiences and questions. Dialogues will be held in the Spring of 2020 in Houston, TX; Newark, NJ; and Tacoma, WA.

All courses will be offered free of charge to participants. Books, child care, and transportation assistance will be provided at no cost. Transferable college credit will be available from Bard College.

“We are deeply appreciative of the National Endowment for the Humanities’ continuing support for our Veterans’ Initiative,” said Lela Hilton, Executive Director of the Clemente Course. “It reaffirms our belief that engagement with the humanities is central to our ability to participate most actively in our communities, and to live a full and joyful life. To co-create and share this experience with veterans is a true honor.”