Memorial Day Newsletter
THE NVF NEWS
The Lifeline For America’s Veterans
SERVING OUR VETERANS
CELEBRATING 29 YEARS
Memorial Day 2017
NVF Gives Away 24,000 New Lands’ End Clothes to Vets
On February 3, Veterans began lining up at 8:00 AM at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) in West Los Angeles. VA staff and volunteers set up tents to shield Veterans from the rain. The NVF distributed 24,000 pieces of new Lands’ End clothing that day. Volunteers and staff from the NVF and the VA handed out jackets, sweaters, shirts, pants and dresses.
Lands’ End contacted the NVF before Veterans Day, wanting to donate a truckload of new clothing to veterans in need. A week later they donated another truckload and also generously contributed $10,000 to the NVF.
Women Vets Kickbox to Wellness and Connection
Who better to lead the first NVF Women Vets Kickboxing event than our own USMC veteran Leaphy Khim, Women Veterans Outreach Coordinator? “Being fit and having the support of a community is an important part of wellness,” she said. “We put this event together to do both those things.”
Poverty: Too Often a Barrier for Women Vets
Photo by Ron Doke
Women’s Outreach Director Mary Ann Mayer, MSW has been fielding calls from women veterans for several months now. She notes the high incidence of poverty as an issue and a barrier for women vets. To begin with, female veterans have a lower median household income than male veterans, according to a March 2016 report from the VA.
NVF Former Outreach Director Featured in Empower our Vets Video
By telling veterans’ stories – stories of success, of overcoming challenges, of pride in their service – Empower Our Vets draws attention to the power and strength of the men and women of the armed services. Recently, they featured our own MSgt. (RET.) Kristine Hesse, a 24-year Air Force veteran.
Looking for Resources for Women Vets
Photo by Dan Buczynski
Former NVF Women’s Outreach Coordinator Kristine Hesse commented on the power of emergency financial assistance. “Even a small amount of money at the right time can make a huge difference,” she said. “I wish the major hotel chains knew what a difference a voucher for one night’s shelter can sometimes make, especially in a large urban area. It might allow a woman who depends on public transportation to be at a job interview early the next morning. Same thing for gas cards or grocery store cards, even in small amounts.” Identifying donors who can make those small bridges possible is a priority. If you’re in a position to help, please go to our website www.nvf.org and use the Donate button on our home page.
Donate to Support Resources for Women Vets
NVF Call Center Stories
The Lifeline for Vets is here for all veterans and their families. Women’s Outreach Coordinator Mary Ann Mayer received a call from an elderly, housebound widow in a rural area of Vermont, whose husband was a decorated Navy Vietnam veteran. Since his death six years ago, her only income is a small social security stipend. Winter expenses are typically higher and she was having trouble paying her bills. Lacking central heating, she called because she needed firewood and couldn’t afford it. Mary Ann says it’s the first call for firewood that she’s received. Initially she wasn’t sure she would be able to do anything about it, but she researched, called around and found the Northeast Kingdom Community Action Youth Network in Newport, VT. Their heating coordinator, April, called the widow to let her know firewood was on the way. The Network was also able to assist with her utility bills.
Shad Meshad Recognized for Superior Achievement in Social Work
NVF President & Founder Shad Meshad
Social Work Today, the nation’s leading newsmagazine for Social Workers, names NVF Founder & President Shad Meshad in its list of Top Ten social workers in the Jan/Feb 2017 issue. The award is especially prestigious because these top ten are nominated by their peers, colleagues and mentors.
Until We Get Home—a Must-See Film
The National Veterans Foundation is proud to present a new veteran suicide prevention short film. Written and directed by Scott McCullough and produced by Windy Buhler and Edge of Reason Productions, the film features well-known actor, activist and NVF Honorary Board Member, Martin Sheen. Award-winning director Scott McCullough and producer Windy Buhler created Until We Get Home in response to the horrifying number of veteran suicides. In simple settings, in their own voices, vets talk about suicide in a way the public rarely has a chance to hear.
Live from the Lifeline for Vets
It’s just an ordinary day in the office, but Wendell Guillermo’s elbows are on the desk and his head is bowed in tight concentration as he walks a caller through the multi-page form in front of him on his desk. You get the sense of how confusing this paperwork can be when Wendell says, “The second page itself, is the application.” He pinches the bridge of his nose while his caller is probably making a note, then he continues. “Alright.” Now they’re on the same page. “So the third page,” he pauses, “the third page is where you send the application, but it depends on what branch of service and when you served. It gives you a number and that number matches the address where you have to send the application.”
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