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Wounded Warrior Project celebrates 15 years; bruised from spending scandal but growing

He said a positive sign of the agency's direction is they are hiring. WWP just posted 70 job openings.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- In 2003, the Wounded Warrior Project was founded to help those who served in Iraq and in Afghanistan. In 15 years, it has served well over 500,000 post 9/11 veterans.

"In terms of providing care and services, I would give us an 'A' grade," said Michael Linnington.

July 2016, Linnington, a retired Army Lt. General was hired as the CEO.

The non-profit was struggling after a much-publicized scandal about alleged "lavish spending."

"Actually, it steadied about a year ago," he said.

Donations plummeted $70 million and the non-profit was forced to lay off workers. But in spite of its stormy season, the demand for services remained.

"We are now growing by 44 warriors a day," he said.

He said they are seeing veterans who are hurting and veterans battling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

"A lot of warriors are still in isolation," Linnington said. "Still suffering the invisible wounds of war."

Even with a major restructuring, its commitment never changed.

"More than $200 million will go into direct program and services for warriors this year," he said. "If you would have told me that a couple a years ago, I would have said that would have been a stretch."

WWP was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing and its top rating restored.

"We're not back from where we were but we are growing from where we were last year and this is our fourth consecutive quarter of growth," he said.

The retired Army general is now settled into the job and has praise for how his staff and their unyielding support.

"Our goal is to continue to serve the needs of warriors," he said

When asked his outlook for the next five years, he said they will be even more defining of the WWP.

"I think the need will continue to grow, unfortunately," he said.

He said a positive sign of the agency's direction is they are hiring. WWP just posted 70 job openings.

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