ServingTogether, a program of
EveryMind
, is here to make it easier for all of those who have served in the Armed Forces, National Guard or Reserves, and their families, to access the local services they have earned.
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Fort Belvoir Collaborative
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Reminder: The next Fort Belvoir Collaborative meeting is Thursday, February 20 from 12:00 - 2:00 pm
at USO on Fort Belvoir
(5940 9th Street, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060)
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We hope you had an enjoyable holiday season and a great start to 2020. Excited to have you join us for our February meeting.
We are going to use the first part of this year to bring in some organizations to discuss
Volunteer Management.
We had a few individuals ask us for this topic to better explore how to recruit, manage and maintain volunteers within their organization. We are excited to invite organizations that can share more about tactics they use and be available for Q&A.
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Pikkwan Boston and Navneet Prasad are part of the American Red Cross's Volunteer Recruitment Team here in the National Capital Region. They will be joining us to discuss their volunteer opportunities, recruitment and retention.
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We are excited to share that Sarah Ford, Community Resource Coordinator, will be attending to speak more on their volunteer program and provide insight on how to engage and motivate volunteers.
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Meeting Notes from December 19:
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Presented by Mario Pineda, Military Outreach Officer at BZO
Their mission is to help our nation's warriors focus on family, hope, and purpose by embracing the outdoors and community. In their first year they served 599 veterans and their family. They provide free fishing, kayaking, hiking and other outdoors activities for military, veterans and their families. No experience is required, they have safety volunteers on water and shore to support. They also often provide free food at many of their events.
Their events are listed on their Facebook page with opportunity to register as an attendee or volunteer. While many of their activities are scheduled events, they can also take veterans out on short notice trips if needed. They also have partnerships with the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital Residential Treatment Center and conduct outings for the individuals in treatment.
They have several upcoming events as we move into Spring and Summer 2020, including: Patriot Point in Church Creek, MD (February & October), Eagle Tour at Mason Neck State Park in Lorton, VA (March), Widewater State Park in Stafford, VA (April) building a dock and lunch & clean up, Ghost Fleet Paddle Mallow’s Bay in Charles County, MD (May), Women’s Paddle (July), and Camping at Westmoreland State Park (September).
Organizations are encouraged & invited to come speak at their events or participate!
For more information or questions about this program, visit:
Mario Pineda
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Presented by Erin Lester, Senior Director of Transition Services
Click here to download the Powerpoint Presentation
Hope uses the Well-Being model and is client-centric with over 20 programs they offer nation-wide. They have served over 30,000 Post 9/11 veterans and families, averaging around 4,000 per year. They have over 100 strategic partners in the country. Seventy percent of their clients are service members or veterans and thirty percent are family members. Areas of focus include: Clinical Health & Wellness, Sports & Recreation, and Transition Services.
Their program offerings include:
Family Wellness
(events, support services, military child initiative),
Resiliency Programs
(online webinars for the Warrior and Family),
Warriors Compass Site
(support for companies to employ warriors),
Critical Care
(case management & financial stability grants for rent, mortgage, food assistance, utilities, etc),
Warriors Wish
(Grant Wishes, family bonding experiences, small home modifications),
Drive for Hope
(Nascar Experience) and
Driving Rehab Program
(driving services and vehicle modifications).
For more information, visit:
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Presented by Katie Currier, Program Director
Founded in 2008 through an inspiring story of support given a wounded warrior, Luke Shirley.
Luke's Wings
provides commercial flights for family to come be with their recovering wounded, ill and injured service members receiving long term care.
Areas of qualification: Wounded Warriors, Special Operations, Major Illness (contracted during active duty), Veterans in Hospice Program (bring a loved one bedside - they request a 2 week window).
They do have some flexibility and leeway through their donations to be able to help as many as they can. Can support other requests on a case by case basis.
They are partnered with Delta. Miles are donated from Delta SkyMiles. Anyone is able to donate miles to the organization.
Learn more here
.
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Collaborative Member Updates:
Elizabeth Dole Foundation - Caregiver Fellow
Deborah Elliott is the local Elizabeth Dole Foundation Caregiver Fellow for our region. There are over 200 nationwide (at least 1 in each state). She's hoping to plan a Caregiver Enrichment Day to include health & wellness, employment, and teach communication skills (such as how to communicate better with your child's school, etc). Looking for connections and organizations to partner with.
Travis Manion Foundation
February they will hold a
Mentor Training
for those who like to work with youth.
TMF has partnered with Crossfit gyms to hold an Annual WOD. This years will be APril 25 & 26.
See more here
.
National Military Family Association will have their Operation Purple Camps that TMF is involved with. Volunteers needed!
Virginia Department of Veteran Services
They have Benefits representatives available on Fort Belvoir in Building 1189 (same building they are moving ID card & In/Out Processing into - former Post Exchange building). Available to meet with veterans and help with filing claims.
Blue Star Families
Course for Change: Empowerment Through Transition
In partnership with the USO Fort Belvoir and IVMF's Onward to Opportunity, Blue Star Families will be coordinating the second
Course for Change
for military spouses.This course helps military spouses in preparation for transition or to be empowered with connection to employment and other services. Especially for those within 3-5 years before spouses separation/retirement.
Blue Star Families will be conducting a Book Club!
Neighbor START (Serving, Thriving, and Reading Together) is coming to the DC area! It's appropriate for all adults—whether you're military-connected or not.
February 5, 12, 19, and 26
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Sherwood Regional Library
Alexandria, VA
One morning per week for four weeks, our literary facilitator will captivate and engage you in moderated dialogue. We'll dive into discussions of family, home, and other relatable topics. We provide all the readings, and none are too long. We've even included poetry, which can be read in minutes and discussed for hours!
*Adults are expected to attend all four sessions. Space is limited, and childcare is not available. This is the perfect opportunity to mix and mingle with your local military friends and Blue Star Neighbors. And we encourage you to invite your friends to participate with you!
Hope for the Warriors
Workhouse Arts Center
ServingTogether
ServingTogether has a new Director. We are excited to welcome Amse Heck to lead our team.
Conducted Regional Community of Practice event in Pittsburgh on January 28 regarding Minority Veterans & Sub-Populations.
Mental Health First Aid will be offered Spring 2020 in Northern Virginia
Luke's Wings
They have
three fundraisers
this year, including: DC Gala – April; Golf tournament – June; Family Walk in Bethesda - September; and they sponsor a Family Breakfast @ USO Bethesda every 4th Wednesday at Walter Reed.
American Red Cross
Applications for their Teen Summer Program will open in February and close in March. The program runs from the 2nd week in July through mid-August. Open to ages 14-17. They would be vetted to work in the hospital. They can do shifts from 8-12 or 12-4 or all day 8-4. They receive a certificate for hours completed. Open at Fort Belvoir, Quantico or Walter Reed. They will be placed in areas they will be supervised, but they will be working, not just shadowing. The application does include an essay. And participants need to be available for the entire program, if must they can only miss 1 week of the 6 week program.
USO Warrior & Family Center - Fort Belvoir
Other Updates:
June 4 & 5 Loudoun County Veteran Experience Action Center - more to come soon!
June 6:
Honor Flight
for WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam Veterans (departs from Ashburn)
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Look forward to seeing you soon!
Thank you from your Fort Belvoir Collaborative Co-Chairs,
Christy Kenady
Northern Virginia Program Manager
703-288-5355
Mary Santini
Regional Manager
American Red Cross, Fort Belvoir & Quantico
571-231-4160
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February 20; April 16; June 18; August 20; October 15; December 17
12 - 2 pm, Location: USO Fort Belvoir
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Please continue to share information, services & events with the Veterans Collaborative through this email. We appreciate your partnership and continued support of the Collaborative.
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