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This committee meeting focuses on various programs and initiatives to support veterans and the military, such as the Military Assistance Program, Operation Uplink, Unmet Needs, and the VFW Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship Program.
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Veterans & Military Support 2016 Committee Meeting
Veterans & Military Support • Programs: • Military Assistance Program • Operation Uplink • Unmet Needs • VFW Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship Program
Veterans & Military Support • New Initiative : • Student Veterans Outreach, Employment & Transition Services • Strive to position the VFW as the conduit directly connecting veterans with vet-friendly employers. • Guide and tool kit available • VFW will host at least two virtual career fairs this fiscal year. The first in September 2016 and the other Spring 2017. Working with National Restaurant Association Job Fair • Continue to work with Student Veterans of America (SVA)
Veterans & Military Support • Military Assistance Program • The Military Assistance Program is designed to encourage the link between the VFW and the Military community. • This program promotes VFW member interaction with the local military and opens avenues for National Sponsorships and local level involvement with all branches of service. • Two unique services to help foster the relationship between the Post and the local military community, • Military Assistance Program Grant process • Adopt-A-Unit program.
Veterans & Military Support • Operation Uplink • In 2006, Operation Uplink working with MWR SPAWAR internet cafes, created Free Call Days using voice over IP calls for service men and women for 24-hour periods three times a month, including all major holidays. Call volume is down considerably. • With the reduced internet connections, Operation Uplink still has the ability to provide virtual pin numbers (calling time) for deployment ceremonies, VA hospitals and service members in countries without MWR cafes.
Veterans & Military Support • Unmet Needs • Created in 2004 Unmet Needs assists military service members, veterans, and their families who are experiencing a financial hardship directly related to their military service. To date paid 3,913 cases totaling $5,745,458.50 • The financial assistance is in the form of a grant in an amount up to $5,000. All grants are paid directly to the “creditor” companies (such as the electric company, mortgage company, landlord, etc.) and not to the individual. • Each case is reviewed individually and acceptance determined by a committee. • Working with a Family Support Center Coordinator, Family Readiness Director or your Department Veterans & Military Support Chairman, you can help get our service members and fellow veterans the assistance they deserve. • Transitioning to an online application.
Veterans & Military Support • VFW Sport Clip Help A Hero Scholarship Program • Sport Clips expanded its Help A Hero initiative to support veterans as they return home through the gift of scholarships. • Since 2014 awarded 580 scholarships totaling $2,282,059.21 • Each scholarship will provide recipients with up to $5,000 to apply toward their education at an accredited post-secondary institution, including universities, colleges, trade schools and apprenticeship and certification programs. • The scholarship application is only available on-line at www.vfw.org
Veterans & Military Support • Chairman responsibilities: • The VFW Veterans & Military Support Chairperson serves as the VFW’s representative for all four of the major programs. • Send in the Chairman’s Report monthly stating your activities and informing VFW National of local events and activities reported from your Posts. • Do not send in a negative/blank report. Only report when you have a function or event with attendance numbers. • Communicate information from national to Posts and Districts • Monthly newsletter • Email communication
Veterans & Military Support • Chairman responsibilities, Cont’d : • Act as the Point of Contact and coordinate for any military requests from the Department • Work with the Auxiliary Veterans and Family Support Ambassador. • Familiarize yourself with all program procedures, forms, reports and other program information. • Establish and /or build relationships with the active military installations, national Guard and reserves in your individual states. .
Veterans & Military Support • Staff Contact Information: • Brooklynne Mosley, Associate Director, VFW Programs, Student veteran Outreach, Employment & transition Services • Email: bmosley@vfw.org • (816) 968-2778 • Linda Ferguson, Manager Veterans & Military Support Programs • Email: lferguson@vfw.org • (816) 968-1102 • John Linstra, Military Assistance Program Coordinator • Email: M.A.P.@vfw.org • (816) 756-3390, ext. 211 • Mark Herron, Unmet Needs Program Coordinator • Email: UnmetNeeds@vfw.org • (816) 756-3390, ext. 262 • Quentin Carroll, Special Programs and Projects (Help a Hero, Operation Uplink & Buddy Poppy) Coordinator • Email: HelpaHero@vfw.org • Email: OperationUplink@vfw.org • Email: buddypoppy@vfw.org • (816) 968-1155
Veterans & Military Support 2016 Committee Meeting