IJF Mission Brief – December 2023

IJF

Mission Brief

December 2023

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

IJF is proud to spotlight the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA). In June, the IDVA and IJF entered a contract to administer the Illinois Warrior Assistance Program (IWAP), a 24/7 warm helpline and resource for Illinois Veterans, their families, and caregivers. This free and confidential service was initiated by the State of Illinois in 2011 to assist Veterans transitioning from military service and challenged with PTSD, mild TBI, Military sexual trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, substance abuse, and overall emotional wellness.

Learn more about the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs and IWAP.

SUICIDE AWARENESS & PREVENTION

While the holidays can be stressful for anyone, Veterans may be more susceptible to feelings of loneliness and sadness during this season. This can be a result of social isolation, the loss of a loved one or family member, financial difficulties, food insecurity or housing instability. Veterans should remember they are not alone and there is no right or wrong way to spend the holidays.

Self-care and finding outlets to manage stress can help. Here are a few ways Veterans can take care of themselves during the holiday season:

Talk to friends and family
Reach out to other Veterans
Get outside for fresh air and physical activity
Volunteer your time
Get plenty of rest
Set limits – don't join activities for longer than you can handle

The Veterans Crisis line is available 24/7: Dial 988 then Press 1, Text 838255 or Chat Live at veteranscrisisline.net. A caring, qualified responder will listen and help.

IJF CARE COORDINATION CENTER (CCC) - Available 24/7/365

If you or a Veteran you know would benefit from being connected to resources, call the Care Coordination Center (CCC). To request assistance, call:

833-INFO IJF (463-6453)

or online: illinoisjoiningforces.org/get-help. Support is available 24/7/365. The CCC is also available to family members.

IDVA NEWS & UPDATES

See what's happening at the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs here.

A Message from IJF Executive Director, Brenda Osuch

The holiday season is upon us—a special time for creating memories with loved ones, celebrating traditions, and counting the many blessings in our lives. I hope you and your family are in good health and enjoying all the warmth and cheer the holidays bring.

This season is also a time for gratitude and reflection. With celebrations going on around us, it can be easy to forget those in the community who may need a little extra support during the holidays. This season can pose unique challenges for the military community and their loved ones. At Illinois Joining Forces, we are committed to ensuring all Veterans, Service Members and their families feel connected and supported during the holidays and throughout the year.

One of the programs I am proud to feature in this newsletter is Operation Connect-A-Vet, an initiative to connect Veterans to resources and provide an extra layer of support throughout the holiday season. I hope you will take a moment to learn more about this special program and think of the ways you can support a Veteran in your life through the end of the year.

I am also pleased to highlight a unique event hosted by IJF in November. The IJF Peoria Area Regional Summit and Military & Veterans Night out was held last month at the Caterpillar Visitors Center. It was an honor to welcome military members and their families, industry leaders and our partners to connect, collaborate and support the Veteran community. I hope you enjoy seeing the recap and photos from this event.

As I look back on 2023, I am filled with tremendous gratitude for the Illinois Joining Forces family. Thanks to each of you, this has been a banner year for IJF. I am excited about what lies ahead in 2024 as we continue our mission to improve the lives of the Illinois Veteran community.

On behalf of all of us here at IJF, I wish you and your loved ones much joy, comfort and peace this holiday season.

Warm regards,

Brenda Osuch

No one organization can do it all. But together we can do anything.

Operation Connect-A-Vet

Illinois Joining Forces is proud to share Operation Connect-A-Vet, a new initiative through Operation Connect Illinois CARES designed to ensure every Veteran feels connected and supported this holiday season.

Recognizing the genuine concerns loved ones have about the well-being of Veterans, Illinois Joining Forces’ Operation Connect-A-Vet offers a proactive and caring solution. It provides a streamlined avenue for friends and family to arrange wellness calls, ensuring veterans are doing well and connected with a dedicated team ready to assist them with housing, food, employment, healthcare, and more.

With the mission to unite communities and serve those who have selflessly served us, Operation Connect-A-Vet becomes a beacon of hope and support during this meaningful season of gratitude and giving.

Accessing Operation Connect-A-Vet is simple:

Reach Out: IJF encourages family, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances to call a Veteran in their life and simply ask them how they are doing.
Submit a Connect-A-Vet request: If you feel a Veteran in your life needs more, IJF is here to support. Your request can be submitted by calling the IJF Care Coordination Center at 1-833-INFO IJF (463-6453), sending an email to callcenter@illinoisjoiningforces.org or filling out the Connect-A-Vet form on our website at illinoisjoiningforces.org. Your request is the next step in extending support to the veteran in your life.
Identify Services: Our dedicated team members are well-versed in connecting Veterans with the services they need. We work with our partners statewide to ensure that Veterans are connected to housing, food, employment, mental health, and any other critical needs.

Operation Connect-A-Vet launched November 1 and continues through the end of the year, ensuring that Veterans and military families receive the support they need during the holiday season.

For more information, please visit illinoisjoiningforces.org.

IJF FEATURE

Peoria Regional Summit and Military & Veterans Night Out

November is a special time of year for the military community as we celebrate both Veterans Day and National Veterans and Military Families Month. As part of Illinois Joining Forces’ commitment to connect with and support Veterans and their loved ones throughout the state, we were proud to host a very special event – the Peoria Area Regional Summit and Military & Veterans Night Out.

Held at the Caterpillar Visitors Center, the Summit brought together Peoria-area Veteran industry leaders and service providers for an afternoon of connection, conversation, and collaboration around increasing support and resources for the military community. More than 40 partners joined us from across the Peoria community for this insightful and engaging afternoon of engagement.

Following the Summit, we were thrilled to welcome Service Members, Veterans, and their families to the Caterpillar Visitors Center for Military & Veterans Night Out. More than 100 guests joined us for an unforgettable night of activities – including special exhibits, simulators, face painting, resource tables and networking. It was heartwarming to see so many military members and their families come together for a night of connection.

This special event would not have been possible without our generous supporters including SSG Gordon Parker Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. Thank you for your unwavering support of our mission. Your generosity allows us to ensure every Veteran, Service Member and their families across Illinois has access to programs and resources to help them thrive.

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

Illinois Joining Forces is pleased to be the recipient of a generous grant from the Bob Woodruff Foundation. Grant funds will provide emergency financial assistance for housing, food, essential items, and transport to Veterans, Service members, their families, and their caregivers. Our sincere thanks to the Bob Woodruff Foundation for this meaningful grant to support the immediate needs of Veterans, Service members and families across Illinois.

ILLINOIS JOINING FORCES | www.illinoisjoiningforces.org