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For Your Information
The Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs does not endorse the organizations sponsoring these events, and we do not endorse the views they express or the products/services they offer. The views and opinions expressed in any referenced document do not necessarily state or reflect those of MDVA. The information provided is intended for your general knowledge only, and serves solely as a MDVA community outreach effort.
Major Jason Main, who lives in Maryland is on a mission to help other veterans in recovery. An article about Major Main was recently published in the MOAA Military Officer publication. There are also two videos: What Do You Do and My Story
If you are seeking help, Major Main invites you to contact him: LifehouseMD1@gmail.com
Community News
Project Opportunity - Spring Class in Anne Arundel County, Spring Class in Prince George's County and Lunch and Learn on March 7th in Waldorf. Free Entrepreneurship Training for Veterans who want to start their own business.
Spouse Support Group, Sponsored by the Prince Georges County Vet Center, Clinton. Info Sessions on Feb. 13th and Feb. 27th. Six week group sessions start March 13th.
Melwood Veterans Services’ Operation Tohidu is holding a pilot session for male military sexual trauma (MST) survivors September 9 – 13, 2019. There is no cost to attend and it is open to veterans across the country, however, space is limited to 15 people. Please check out www.operationtohidu.org or our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MelwoodVeterans) for more information, to register or to donate. For additional information please contact Travis Rahill at trahill@melwood.org or (301)599-4550.
Operation Tohidu is continuing to grow. Today we completed our 22nd retreat and have had 229 veterans, service members and significant others attend the program. Serving underserved populations in the veterans community is our focus: couples, MST survivors, women and moral injury.
February 11 – 15 Couple’s Session
March 4 – 8 Women’s Session for MST Survivors
March 24 – 29 Men’s Session
April 15 – 19 TBD (will be based on demand)
May 6 – 10 TBD (will be based on demand)
September 9 – 13 Men’s Session for MST Survivors
Save the Date - Thursday, March 21, 2019, Lunch and Learn: Resources for Caregivers in Service to our Men and Women Who've Served, Catonsville
Save the Date - Friday, March 29, 2019, Spring 2019 Meeting of CCBC ATPL Military Advisory Board. Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm Location: CCBC Essex campus, Romadka Building, Room 107 (E.ROMA 107) RSVP: https://ccbcmiladvisoryspring19.eventbrite.com
(Password: CCBCVeteranServices) More Info
Save the Date - June 20 - 27, 2019 The Mission Continues, Mass Deployment 2019, Operation Charm City Charge
VConnections Events in Southern Maryland:
Veterans Coffee Break on Wednesdays, Waldorf
Senior Veterans Coffee Break, Charleston Senior Community, Waldorf
Veterans Weekend Coffee Break, LaPlata
More Information
Community Calendar
February 4, 2019
Vet Arts Connect, Introductory Improv for Military Veterans, Six sessions beginning 2/4 in Columbia
February 5, 2019
Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, Veterans Ensemble: Olive Branch and Laurel Crown, beginning 2/5 in Baltimore
February 6, 2019
VetArts Connect: Veterans Telling Stories, Workshop Series, Baltimore
February 9th & 10th
Warrior to Soul Mate, Couples Workshop sponsored by the Prince George's County Vet Center, Clinton
February 12, 2019
Bmore Military Muster, Halethorpe
February 16, 2019
19th Annual Buffalo Soldiers Banquet, Baltimore
February 23, 2019
Marathon Bluegrass Jam Maryland, to benefit Fisher House Foundation, Severn
February 26, 2019
VA Benefits Briefing, Temple Hills
Save the Date: Welcome Home Vietnam Veteran Events in March
Saturday, March 2, 2019, Knights of Columbus Honors Those Who Served During Vietnam, Nottingham
Friday, March 29, 2019, Hospice of the Chesapeake's 5th Annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, Linthicum
Saturday, March 30, 2019, Gilchrist's 2nd Annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration, Baltimore County, Video of last year's event
Saturday, March 30, 2019, Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, Easton
Hospice of the Chesapeake earns highest status with national veterans program
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization recently announced that Hospice of the Chesapeake’s We Honor Veterans program has achieved Level 5 status. It is one of nine hospices in the nation to earn this new level of excellence, and the only Level 5 partner in the Delmarva region.
The status is a result of a yearlong pilot program initiated by WHV that included a pilot group of Level 4 hospice partners who implemented activities to expand their efforts and services provided to veterans and communities they serve. Aside from existing requirements, Level 5 will ensure that partners place a greater emphasis on staff education and caring for combat veterans. Additionally, Hospice of the Chesapeake will join its other Level 5 partners in taking on the role of regional mentor to other partners working to enhance their programs.
NHPCO President and CEO Edo Banach said that the expansion of the program to include a new level of excellence demonstrates that We Honor Veteran partners are committed to providing quality veteran-centric care to the veteran patients they serve. “We are incredibly proud of the Level 4 partners that participated in the pilot program and look forward to working with other partners eager to begin the process of attaining Level 5 – a journey that will include a lot hard work and dedication,” Banach said.
Hospice of the Chesapeake’s Volunteer Services Director Mary Jermann, who leads the organization’s WHV program, said meeting the difficult milestones required to achieve Level 5 status has enhanced an already robust program. It not only benefits veterans on its census, but other patients, as well as the organization’s staff and volunteers. “As our We Honor Veterans program has matured, it has extended beyond the Honor Salute to include many other veteran services activities and events,” Jermann said. “We are excited to carry our mission forward to mentor other hospices to do the same.”
The We Honor Veterans program is part of the national Hospice-Veteran Partnership, a collaborative effort between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the NHPCO. The campaign’s goal is to help improve the care dying veterans receive from the nation’s hospice and palliative care providers.
Hospice of the Chesapeake has been a partner since 2010. On any given day, the organization’s staff and volunteers care for more than 125 Veterans in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties. The We Honor Veterans program supports veterans and their families with Honor Salutes, the Veteran-to-Veteran Volunteer Program; Veterans celebrations, educational programs and partnerships with the U. S. Naval Academy, Fort George G. Meade and Anne Arundel County Public Schools and more.
One signature event that exemplifies Hospice of the Chesapeake’s commitment to veterans is its annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day celebration. The event provides an opportunity for the community to thank Vietnam Veterans for their service and to give them the welcome home they should have received decades ago. Now in its fifth year, the celebration will take place at 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 29, at the Hilton Baltimore BWI Hotel. The doors will open at 4 p.m. for veterans to enjoy hors d’oeuvres, socialize and speak with representatives from veterans’ service organizations. The event is free for Vietnam Veterans and one guest and $30 for all others. To reserve seating, visit https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/2019-whvvd/.
For details, email veterans@hospicechsapeake.org or call Nicole Malatesta at 443-837-1513.
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For 40 years, Hospice of the Chesapeake has been caring for life throughout the journey with illness and loss. For details, visit www.hospicechesapeake.org.
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