Maryland Veterans Trust Fund Awards Record Amount of Grants

The Maryland Veterans Trust Fund is a 501c3 organization designed to assist with non-emergency, temporary financial challenges facing veterans or widows/widowers of veterans.  For the 2022 Fiscal Year, which ended on June 30th, the Trust Fund awarded grants totaling $350,000.  This is a new record for assistance provided to Maryland Veterans for a single fiscal year. The Trust Fund receives donations from community partners and private individuals.  It also receives funding through Maryland based veteran service organization casino slot revenue. For more information on the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund use this link.

MDVA Website

Charlotte Hall Veterans Home has published the July Newsletter.

The members of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc., East Coast Chapter met with Governor Larry Hogan, Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford and MDVA Secretary George Owings to celebrate the passage and signing of HB 479/SB 5 which designated the 4th Thursday in March as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day in Maryland.

In the photo above, Maryland Veterans Commissioner Franklin Killebrew and Governor Hogan are shaking hands. The photo below includes everyone participating in the event.  More photos

Photo credit: Executive Office of the Governor/Joe Andrucyk

Tap into Maryland PTAC

If you're trying to do business in the government sector, you should tap into the Maryland Procurement Technical Assistance Center (MDPTAC). Their team of skilled counselors prepare businesses to engage in the procurement process with federal, state, and local governments through the Maryland Procurement Technical Assistance Program (P, which was authorized by Congress in 1985 specifically to assist small businesses participating in the government marketplace. It receives funding from multiple tax-payer sources including the State of Maryland. Services include, but are not limited to:

• Bid match services
• Support with bid package preparation
• Pre/post-award contract assistance
• Aid with electronic commerce/electronic data interchange
• Training & outreach programs

You are eligible for MDPTAC's no-cost counseling services if your business has been open for at least one year and the products/services you offer have a reasonable expectation of being procured under a government contract or purchase order. Visit them online to learn more and complete the client application form.

Maryland Procurement Technical Assistance Center (MDPTAC)

Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development News:

Project Restore accepting additional applications from new or expanding Maryland businesses. 

Maryland WholeHome Program

Maryland WholeHome grants and loans can be used to upgrade to energy efficient appliances, repair or replace heating and cooling systems, replace insulation, add accessibility features for seniors or those with special needs, remove lead paint, upgrade plumbing, and address structural and maintenance issues. With low-interest rate loans and grants, having a healthier home that saves money is easier than ever. Read More Here

New Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - 988

Beginning July 16, 2022, 988 will be the new three-digit dialing code connecting people to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, where compassionate, accessible care and support is available for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress—whether that is thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

Read More Here

Federal News

HUD, VA Announce $10.4 Million Funding Opportunity for Rehabilitation of Low-Income Veterans' Homes

SBA is seeking public comment concerning proposal to certify Veteran-Owned Small Business Concerns and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concerns participating in the Veterans Certification Program

VA Maryland Health Care System: Closing of Parking Garage

Protect yourself against social media phishing

Live Whole Health #128: Connecting mind and body, session 4

Live Whole Health #129: Soft Belly Breathing

Curling, Pickleball debut at Veterans Wheelchair Games

Exercise may be useful treatment option for Veterans with PTSD

Can life insurance be affordable?

From the VA Maryland Health Care System:

Each year across the nation, VA partners with the American Legion Auxiliary to host a creative arts competition and festival that showcases and celebrates the value of the creative arts and creative arts therapy in the health, wellness and rehabilitation of our nation’s Veterans.

The VA Maryland Health Care System hosts a local competition, with area Veteran patient winners being forwarded to the national level of competition. This year’s local event will take place on Saturday, September 10, 2022, as a part of the Maryland State Fair. This showcase is an opportunity for Veterans to share their creative works with the community and other Veterans. It also gives Veteran artists a chance to speak about their work and its importance in their lives.

Veterans who win nationally are typically invited to attend the annual VA National Creative Arts Festival. There are five divisions of entry for the competition:

• Art (photography, paint, crafts, etc.)
• Creative Writing (poetry, essay, short story, etc.)
• Drama (performing poetry, prose, comedy, etc.)
• Dance (modern, line, ballroom, etc.)
• Music (vocal, instrumental, original, etc.)

Local entries are accepted at all levels of ability. To submit an entry for the local competition, Veterans must be enrolled in the VA Maryland Health Care System.

Due date for entries is Monday, July 18. For more information about entries or this year’s showcase, please contact Kelsey Eisenhauer at kelsey.eisenhauer@va.gov or 410-585-4477.

For more information about the national festival, please visit: National Veterans Creative Arts Festival - Veterans Health Administration

Thank you.

VA Maryland Health Care System

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.

Community News

Voices of Vets is offering a free outdoor concert in Annapolis on July 29, 2022

Women Veterans United Committee, Inc. is collecting donations for the Women Veteran Baby Shower: Flier and  More Information, Donations Needed & Drop-off Locations.

Success in Style located in Savage provides low cost professional attire and interviewing skills training to those seeking employment.

Employment Services for spouses of Veterans and active duty service members in Anne Arundel and Howard counties

Project Opportunity provides free entrepreneurship education, training, coaching and a supportive community for veterans in pursuit of owning a successful small business.

Upcoming classes:

Baltimore Fall Class

Spouses of Veterans, Active Duty, and Guard/Reserve Personnel Fall Class, Linthicum

Harford County Fall Class, Havre de Grace

Montgomery County Fall Class, Takoma Park

Prince George's County Fall Class, Largo

Southern Maryland Fall Class, La Plata

The Therapeutic and Recreational Riding Center

3750 Shady Lane, Glenwood, MD • www.trrcmd.org

Contact Barbara Malavite, LCPC or Lisa Sowers, LGPC at trrc.eap@gmail.com

At our farm, veterans and their families engage in activities with horses that foster personal growth. Sessions that include grooming or going through obstacle courses can lead to improved physical health and mental well-being. Through this bond with a horse, veterans may connect with others, build self-confidence, and discover a new way to serve. The activities are guided by licensed and credentialed professionals with 10+ years of horsemanship experience. PATH WWP Scholarships cover sessions for qualifying Veterans and their families.

News from Community Building Art Works:

Creative Writing Workshop: Poetry & Courage - July 21st at 7pm EST - Virtual

Join us this week, Thursday, July 21st at 7pm for a workshop with Kansas Poet Laureate Emeritus, Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg in our series in partnership with the Strathmore. Author of over 20 books, including How Time Moves: New & Selected Poems, she believes in the transformative power of our stories and that everyone has the calling to create. Join us as we explore Poetry and Courage with Caryn.

Visual Art: Open Art Studio - July 27th at 7pm EST - Virtual

Join veteran artist and CBAW Vice Chair, Joe Merritt on Wednesday, July 27th at 7pm for Open Art Studio. Come hang out in a collaborative group setting and bring anything you want to work on, in any medium. Register here.

For more info about CBAW, visit www.cbaw.org or email info@cbaw.org.

Community Calendar

July 22nd - 24th, 2022

5th Annual Skydive with Heroes on the River & Skydive Shenandoah, New Market, VA

July 29, 2022

Voices of Vets Free Concert, Annapolis

July 30, 2022

Discovery Time for Military Families at Wellspring of Life Farm, Monkton

August 17, 2022

DC Bourbiz at MGM National Harbor for Veteran & Military Spouse Networking

August 18, 2022

The Baltimore Station Fundraiser at Bengies Drive-in, Baltimore

August 23, 2022

Patuxent River Job Fair

August 25, 2022

Joint Base Andrews Job Fair

Message for New Subscribers:

Is this your first edition of the MDVA newsletter?  If so, welcome!  You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up to receive it from our website or you gave permission to an MDVA program, the MD Motor Vehicle Administration or MD Department of Labor to receive information on VA benefits and resources.  We at MDVA respect your privacy and DO NOT share your email address.  We hope you enjoy receiving our bi-weekly newsletter and find it both educational and engaging.  If you have questions about our Department, our Programs, or your VA benefits, please visit veterans.maryland.gov or call 410-260-3838.