At LEAWSs our Marine Widows welfare is paramount.  LEAWS stands for Lejeune Empowered Advocacy for Widows, and our mission is to help other widows who have lost their spouses due to the toxic water contamination at Camp Lejeune.

You see, both Karen and Michelle, the directors of LEAWS, know what it’s like to lose a husband to a disease caused by the poisoned water. They also know what it’s like to be denied any assistance from the VA, because their husbands’ deaths were not considered service-related. They had to face the challenges following the death of their husband’s and coping with grief on their own.

Karen lost her husband when her kids were very young. She had to keep things together for them, while also maintaining a home and getting them through school and college. Michelle had to deal with the logistics of bringing her husband’s remains back from Florida to Tennessee, where he wanted to be buried next to his mother. She was lucky enough to find a good Samaritan who helped her financially, through her non-profit.

That’s why Michelle decided to create LEAWS, to offer support and assistance to other widows in similar situations. Whether it’s financial, emotional, or just providing a safe and supportive space, we are here for you. We understand your pain, your frustration, and your needs. We are not just an organization, we are a community.