Friday Digest: Aug. 10

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Friday Digest: August 10, 2018

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This Week:


Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans Events

The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MAC-V) is hosting the following upcoming events:


St. James VA Clinic to Hold Open House for Veterans, Aug. 16

Veterans are invited to meet the clinic staff and connect with VA Leadership in Minneapolis via video teleconferencing.  Refreshments served.  Event will be on August 16, 2018, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the clinic located at 1212 Heckman Court, St. James, MN 56081.


Veterans Job Fair at TCF Bank Stadium, Aug. 16

There will be a free hiring event for Veterans, transitioning military personnel, National Guard members, Reserve members, and spouses! The event begins at 11 a.m. and runs through 3 p.m.

 

More information and Registration >>

Veterans Job Fair Poster

Work at MDVA

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is looking for individuals across the state interested in joining a team that is committed to helping serve Minnesota Veterans and their families. Whether you are a Veteran, family member, or an individual who wants to show your support for our nation’s heroes, we are confident you will find a career path that is diverse, team-oriented and focused on making a real difference. Some of our current job openings:

Fergus Falls

        Luverne

              Minneapolis

              Hastings

                  Silver Bay

                     


                        Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity - Now Accepting Exterior Painting Requests

                        The Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity's "A Brush with Kindness Program" utilizes a combination of staff, volunteers and contractors to assist homeowners in affordably maintaining their homes. This is not an emergency repair program, their services depend on available financial resources and are limited to exterior painting, door and window repairs, and accessibility modifications (including ramps, grab bars, ADA toilets, lever-handles for doors and faucets).

                        Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

                        • Home is in the 7-county metro area
                        • Owner occupied for at least the last 2 years and have homeowners insurance
                        • Household income below 80% of Twin Cities median income
                        • Needed repairs match what A Brush with Kindness does
                        • Cannot have received assistance through A Brush with Kindness in the past 2 years
                        • Must not be planning to move or sell

                        This year they are only accepting exterior painting requests. The Brush with Kindness Program is currently accepting applications for projects to be completed in 2019. Interested Veteran homeowners can apply on their website below. For questions, please contact their call center at (612) 788-8169.

                        Apply at the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity website >>


                        5th Annual Rampage at the Ridge, Aug. 18

                        Rampage at the Ridge poster

                        The Rampage at the Ridge will take place Saturday, August 18th at Giants Ridge in Biwabik, MN. This obstacle course event features more than three miles of tough terrain and nineteen obstacles. All proceeds will benefit the United Way of NE MN's "United for Veterans" initiative, focusing on Veterans and their families in Northeastern MN.

                        Registration and event information >>


                        Minneapolis VA to Host Career Exploration Fair, Aug. 23rd

                        Career Exploration Fair

                        The Career Exploration Fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Minneapolis VA Auditorium (proceed through the main entrance and the auditorium will be on your right). All are welcome to attend including young adults, Veterans, employees, family and community members. Learn about the diverse career paths offered within VA. The fair will feature a meet and greet to learn about the career paths of doctors, nurses, engineers, prosthetists, nutritionists and more! This is an informational session so there is no need to bring your resume. Come explore the possibilities!


                        Minnesota State Fair Military Appreciation Day, Aug. 28

                        Calling all Women Veterans! This year the Minnesota State Fair’s Military Appreciation Day is dedicated to honoring women veterans and military members of all eras. The official ceremony will be held in the Leinie Lodge Bandshell at 9:45 a.m.; women veterans are encouraged to arrive by 9:30 a.m. and look for uniformed servicewomen, who will escort them to seating in the front rows. All women veterans will be recognized during the ceremony and are eligible to receive free ball caps, while supplies last.

                        For information on other Military Appreciation Day festivities at the Fair, visit https://www.mnstatefair.org.

                        Discounted tickets will be available at the gate for active military, their spouses and kids; retired military and their spouses; and military veterans and their spouses: $9 for adults (13-64), $9 for seniors (65+) and $9 for kids (5-12). Requires valid documentation of service, Aug. 28. For more information visit https://www.mnstatefair.org/deals-and-discounts/  


                        Positions Available at Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans

                        The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MAC-V) is hiring to fill open Case Manager positions. These positions are a part of their Greater Minnesota Employment Grant from the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.


                        MPLS VA Hosts 5K Family Fun Run, Walk & Roll, Sept. 8

                        The annual Minneapolis VA 5K Family Fun Run, Walk & Roll will be held Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at the VA Medical Center, located at One Veteran’s Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417. The event includes a ½ mile Kids Fun Run at 9 a.m., a 5K for wheelers at 9:30 a.m., and the 5K for runners and walkers at 10:30 a.m. Cost is $15 and includes a t-shirt. There is a $5 fee for Veterans enrolled in the MOVE program (includes t-shirt). The kids fun run is free; kids will receive a participation gift.


                        More Information & Registration >>


                        The Joint Retirees Appreciation Day, Sept. 22

                        The Joint Retirees Appreciation Day (JRAD) is a full day of information briefings organized and conducted through the efforts of the Navy and Air Force Retiree Activities Offices (RAO). It is the intent of the RAOs to provide the latest information delivered by the subject matter experts on such programs as TRICARE, VA benefits and support, elder legal issues and current legislative changes at the national and state level. The program is conducted at a location with the capacity to accommodate an audience of 300 attendees.

                        More Information >>


                        Minnesota Veterans 4 Veterans Trust Fund Approved $90,000 in Grants to Assist Minnesota Veterans

                        At the August 2018 Minnesota Veterans 4 Veterans (V4V) Trust Fund monthly meeting, the following grants were approved by the eight-member board of directors:

                        Armed Forces Airport Service Center at the Minneapolis Airport, was awarded $15,000.00 by V4V Trust Fund for its portion to help fund the construction of a new service center being at the Minneapolis International Airport. The Armed Forces Service Center (AFSC) is a nonprofit 24 hour military based facility located at MSP Airport since 1970. The AFSC provides free food, shelter and various services for traveling military and their dependents; Active-Duty, Reserves, National Guard, Purple Heart and Medal of Honor recipients, military retirees and Department of Defense personnel. After 48 years on the ticketing side of Terminal 1, the AFSC is being relocated to the "secure side" of MSP in the fall of 2019. The service center will be expanding from 1,000 sq. feet to 4,000 sq. feet and needing additional furniture, equipment and appliances needed in our expanded space.

                        V4V Trust Fund is awarding $75,000 for the purchase of 2 of the 5 vehicles necessary to establish a transportation program in the Southeast region of Minnesota. These vehicles purchased by the V4V Trust will provide free transportation to medical appointments for Veterans and their caregivers/spouses. The major focus of this program is to improve access to quality care for greater Minnesota Veterans. Each vehicle will likely provide over 5,000 Veteran transports during its estimated 4-5 year lifespan or 180,000 miles. The regional coordinator will likely provide scheduling for over 5,000 Veteran transports in the funded year, increase coordination among area Veterans service officers, schedule over 150,000 miles of transports, and 7,000 volunteer hours.

                        The Minnesota Veterans 4 Veterans (V4V) Trust Fund is a 501c (19) non-profit organization established as the result of the 2006 sale of Lake Minnetonka Big Island Disabled Veterans Camp. The non-profit organization has eight board members, two Veterans each who are appointed by the DAV, VFW, MOPH, and American Legion. The board oversees the funds from the sale of the island to the City of Orono and has a grant application process on their website. Grants are made to organizations serving MN Veterans in a way that conforms to the criteria the V4V has documented online at their website.


                        New Director of the VA Midwest Health Care Network

                        VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23), Aug. 2, 2018

                        EAGAN, Minn. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert P. McDivitt, FACHE, as the new Director of the VA Midwest Health Care Network.

                        “We are excited to bring Mr. McDivitt on board as the new Network Director of the VA Midwest Health Network,” said Mr. Patrick Kelly, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 23 Acting Director. “His sound leadership qualities and proven experience will be a valuable asset for the health care system, employees, volunteers, and most importantly, for the Veterans we are honored to serve. We anticipate his arrival in the network within the next 45-60 days to begin his appointment.”

                        Mr. McDivitt has been with the Department of Veterans Affairs for over 35 years; 23 years of progressive clinical, administrative, and executive leadership in Veterans Health Administration (VHA). He has developed partnerships with health care industry leaders outside and within VHA. He most recently served as Network Director, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 10, Ann Arbor, MI.

                        Mr. McDivitt holds a Master of Arts degree in Public Management/Healthcare Policy from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History/German from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. He is also board certified in healthcare management and a U.S. Army Veteran.

                        The VA Midwest Health Care Network, also known as Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 23, is one of 18 Health Care Systems in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration. The Network serves more than 440,000 enrolled Veterans residing in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and portions of Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Health care services are delivered through an integrated system of 9 hospitals, 69 community based outpatient clinics, 8 community living centers and 4 domiciliary residential rehabilitation treatment programs. The Network employs over 13,500 full-time employees and has an annual operating budget in excess of $2.8 billion.