Bemidji
Luverne
Minneapolis
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St. Paul
For over 12 years, the award-winning Minnesota Military Radio (MMR) has been the forum for retelling the stories of Minnesota’s heroes. Vietnam Veteran and volunteer host Tom Lyons shares these stories which are carried on 65 broadcasting stations throughout the state of Minnesota in an effort to preserve the stories of our Veterans and keep listeners up to date on things happening at MDVA and in our Veteran Community here in Minnesota.
Coming up this week we meet with a Doctor from the ALS Clinic at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, catch up with the Farmington Yellow Ribbon Network and get an update from our Command Senior Enlisted Leader.
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 This multi-day celebration will provide opportunities for everyone of all ages in Minnesota to experience One Dream, One Minnesota in a variety of ways:
- Friday, Jan. 12 – Youth Empowerment Summit, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Science Museum of Minnesota and STEM Career Event, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the 3M Innovation Center.
- Saturday, Jan. 13 – Gathering for Service (several locations across the state) and State of Minnesota Career Fair, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the National Guard Armory in St. Paul.
- Sunday, Jan. 14 – Connections for Hope (several locations across the state)
- Monday, Jan. 15 - Governor and Lt. Governor host the 38th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
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In partnership with the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs and Prudential Financial - Outreach, Transition and Economic Development (OTED) offers Veterans, transitioning Service members, spouses, their family members and caregivers the opportunity to participate in the Wellness Wednesday Financial Educational series.
The series has been cultivated to address financial literacy gaps across the military and Veteran community and is comprised of two programs:
- an online website portal which contains a roster of financial literacy information and resources.
- the Wellness Wednesday Financial education series, offered the 3rd Wednesday of every month.
The next Wellness Wednesday is "First Steps to Financial Freedom" and will take place Jan. 17 at 11 a.m. CST. Topics to be covered include basics of budgeting, banking and credit, emergency savings, investing and planning for retirement.
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The PIT Count will begin Wednesday, Jan. 24. Veteran Service Organizations will have a 24-hour Command Center located at the VA Community Resource and Referral Center in Minneapolis:
1201 Harmon Place
Minneapolis, MN
To immediately connect Veterans with the 24-hour Command Center, please call: 612-313-3240
Staff at the Command Center will be equipped to provide a variety of services.
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Learn the three steps anyone can take to help prevent suicide. Just like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives. QPR is the most widely taught gatekeeper training program in the United States, and more than one million adults have been trained in classroom settings in 48 states. This 1.5-hour class is for members of the community over the age of 16 who want to learn best practices in suicide prevention. A certificate of attendance is available for this class and will be sent after you fill out the evaluation.
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Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults.
You’ll build skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to those who are struggling. You’ll also learn how to help connect them to appropriate support.
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Sadly, an average of 100 Minnesota Veterans die by suicide each year. Two-thirds of these deaths are by guns.
To help prevent Veteran suicide, MDVA is partnering with the VA Healthcare System to distribute free gun locks. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a locked gun can mean the difference between a tragic outcome and a life saved for someone in crisis. Though Veterans are well-versed in firearm safety, all gun owners should understand that during emotional or stressful times, delaying access to a gun could mean the difference between life and death. Gun locks can prevent someone in crisis from tragically taking their own life.
In an effort to reduce these preventable tragedies, MDVA is offering free gun locks. To request a gun lock, please email SuicidePrevention.MDVA@state.mn.us with your name and address. This information will not be shared; requests are confidential.
For more information on MDVA’s suicide prevention efforts, visit MinnesotaVeteran.org/EndVetSuicide.
Effective January 1, 2024, all Minnesota employers with more than 50 full-time employees will be required to display a new poster about Veterans benefits. The poster is available at no cost. It can be downloaded and printed from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s workplace and notices poster web page or employers can order the poster online and have the poster sent via the U.S. mail along with other mandatory or informational workplace posters.
This new poster is intended to educate Veterans and their families about the benefits available to them from MDVA and was developed as a result of new legislation passed during the 2023 session.
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The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances.
The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions the VA presumes are caused by exposure to these substances. This law helps provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
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The Veterans Crisis Line's number—988 then Press 1—helps make it easier to remember and share the number to access help in times of need.
Veterans can use this option by dialing 988 and pressing 1 to contact the Veterans Crisis Line. Veterans may still reach the Veterans Crisis Line with the previous phone number—1-800-273-8255 and Press 1—by text (838255), and through chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
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Minnesota Veterans who served sometime between September 11, 2001, and August 30, 2021 may be eligible for a Post-9/11 Service Bonus. More than 20,000 Minnesota Veterans who served in the Global War on Terrorism have already received bonuses totaling $21.4 million in recognition of their service.
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is distributing nearly $39.8 million in bonuses. Eligible Veterans are paid on a first-come, first-served basis, so Veterans should apply today before the funds are gone.
To apply, visit MinnesotaVeteran.org/ServiceBonus.
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If you know of a Veteran-related community event happening in your area you would like to submit to be included in our Friday Digest, please email all event information to mdva.communications@state.mn.us for consideration.
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