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Flyers Warriors therapeutic hockey grows to about 140 members and offers community supports, speakers say
Summary
Representatives of the Flyers Warriors (Philadelphia Flyers Disabled Veterans Hockey Club) told the commission their therapeutic hockey program has grown to roughly 140 members since 2018, provides peer support and telehealth therapy, partners with the VA and other providers, and raised nearly $4,000 for toy donations.
Robert Pomeroy and Bill Duffy described the Flyers Warriors, a Philadelphia nonprofit therapeutic hockey program established in 2018 that has grown from about 16 participants to roughly 140 members. Pomeroy, an equipment manager and board member, and Duffy, the program president, framed the club as a source of camaraderie, peer support and practical help for veterans at risk of homelessness.
The speakers said the program includes telehealth individual therapy, peer check-ins and community services such as rebuilding a West Philadelphia library. Bill Duffy said the program partners with the VA as the primary point of contact and with alternative providers, including a local rehabilitation and behavioral-health group called Manifesto, to reach veterans reluctant to use VA services.
Pomeroy said the group screens for eligibility by VA disability (10% or more disabled and an honorable discharge) and described a women’s subgroup and family supports such as babysitting during practice. The speakers said they were collecting toys for local children and had raised almost $4,000 to support deliveries to local venues.
When asked about ways to partner, the speakers said FlyersWarriors.com lists their board and operational contacts and encouraged commissioners and community groups to leave cards and follow up about collaboration. The commission thanked the presenters for the program’s community work.
The club asked to continue partnerships with the city and veterans service organizations to maintain outreach and expand services for veterans and families.
