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Anti-war Coffeehouse Saves Soldiers' Lives at Ft. HoodJuly 27, 2009 By Brandi Powell, News 8 Austin Under the Hood Outreach and Café is a place where soldiers can speak freely about whatever they want, according to managers of the café. And soldiers say the 5-month-old cafe has been a second home for them. “I don’t have to address anyone as private, or sergeant or specialist here. We’re all the same people, we’re all soldiers, bottom line,” Spc. Michael Kern said. Stationed at Fort Hood, the 22-year-old said Under the Hood has been a lifesaver. “I had a mental breakdown and wanted to kill myself, and I believe, if I wasn’t here, I would have,” Kern said. “So, I can firmly say that this place has saved my life.” Kern said he asked for help with mental health issues overseas. When he didn’t get it, he turned to café for help. “We do encourage all of the boys to go through the chain of command, and say ‘I want to be tested,’" Under the Hood Director Cynthia Thomas said. “And they don’t even have to go to their chain of command, we tell them just go to their primary care physician, and say look, ‘I want to be tested for traumatic brain injury,’ and if they tell you ‘no’, come and tell us and we’ll figure something out.” Kern, who said he is trying to get out of the Army, said the café connected him with a counselor. Sgt. Travis Bishop, who’s also on active duty at Fort Hood, said he’s also trying to get out of the Army. “It’s a support network,” Bishop said. “It’s people who agree with what I’m doing, and definitely disagree with the war. I disagree with all war. It’s really good to know that there are people who care, who support your decision.” Bishop said he’s pending court martial, because he won’t deploy again. He said Under the Hood is helping him deal with his transition. “This isn’t an anti-military kind of a place,” Bishop said. “This is a pro-soldier kind of a place.” If you’d like to learn more about the history behind Under the Hood Outreach and Cafe, or how you can donate to the nonprofit, visit UnderTheHoodCafe.org. 
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