Building Connections with Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) isn’t just for teenagers and college students. It isn’t just a game to be played in your parent’s basement or a dark dorm room until the wee hours of the morning.

Well, it can still be all that, but it is proving to be a valued, therapeutic game for many across the nation and around the world.

With the world on lockdown from COVID for much of the past 18 months, an activity that pulls together players with similar backgrounds couldn’t have arrived at a better time.

For more than a year, Dungeons & Dragons has been part of Hope For The Warriors Team program, receiving rave reviews from those involved, both clients and staff members.

Volunteer Thomas McIntire was a key force in developing and implementing HOPE’s Dungeons and Dragons program and continues to help case manager Augustine Monroe stage the game on a bi-weekly basis.

They have led two hardy cohorts for the past year, playing remotely via computer. During that time the groups attracted players from Florida, New York, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Washington. The two groups have logged 108 hours of playing time between them.

“Hope For The Warriors D&D program has been incredibly valuable to me,” said one player. “Not only has it been my connection to my veteran friends these past several months, but it has essentially been the only social activity in my life for some time as it’s been tough to leave the house among COVID concerns and having young children at home.

“I think it’s fair to say our entire party eagerly looks forward to each session. I can’t think of many activities better for building relationships than D&D. It’s definitely something more charities and veterans outreach groups should pursue.”

HOPE’s Dungeons & Dragons games create more than a few hours of activity on game night. Participants have set up chat groups, that are more like life support groups, and talk about the game and much more during the time between games.

“For the last few months, the highlight of my week has been the chance to play Dungeons & Dragons with a bunch of fellow nerd warriors,” said another player. “It’s not just one night a week because we talk about it in group chats the whole week.”

“The best part is, that it isn’t going to a bar and consuming unhealthy amounts of alcohol, and it doesn’t require travel. It’s a chance to laugh and think and have the kind of interactions we all miss having in uniform. It’s like being in the field from the comfort of a chair. If any one of those men needed help, I would be there for them. Because I need them to be there on Thursday (game night).”

The success and value of Dungeons & Dragons to the dozen or so HOPE participants in the two groups the past year has fueled plans to hopefully add at least one more cohort in 2022. The games are open to post 9/11 Service Members and direct family members, and no experience is necessary. All anyone needs are a few free hours each week to connect and communicate with fellow service members.

This player nailed the value of the game:

“The Hope For The Warriors Dungeons & Dragons program has been the highlight of my weeks. My recent move has allowed me to stay in contact with my buddies and play a game we all enjoy as if I never left.”

“It allows me to decompress from a stressful job and transport me to a realm where we can all kick some ass. I can’t say enough good things about this program. I will continue to participate as long as it is going.”

To join a Hope For The Warriors D&D Cohort, please e-mail amonroe@hopeforthewarriors.org and apply for services.

By: Erin McCloskey for Hope for the Warriors