WDVA e-News December 2022

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs sent this bulletin at 12/21/2022 11:32 AM CST

DECEMBER 2022

Header2
shop small veteran businesses pic 2

WDVA Encourages You to Shop Small this Holiday Season

If you are still looking for that perfect holiday gift, WDVA is joining the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) in encouraging people to do their shopping close to home as Governor Evers declared November 26-December 31 as "Shop Small Wisconsin" season. 

WDVA has featured several veteran-owned small businesses in our state over the past year. These veteran-owned businesses add to Wisconsin's economic landscape by providing local jobs, products, and services. WDVA encourages you to patronize veteran businesses this holiday season whenever possible.

Watch our videos featuring these veteran-owned businesses:

Berres Brothers Coffee - Watertown, WI

Indulgence Chocolatiers - Milwaukee Area

608 Brewing Company - La Crosse, WI

Purple Basil Food Truck - Wisconsin Rapids, WI 

WDVA recognizes the important role that veteran-owned businesses play in the Wisconsin economy. To register a veteran-owned business and obtain a free logo to identify as a Wisconsin veteran-owned business, please visit our website. 

Snowy wreaths at King 12 17 22

Wreaths Across America at WDVA Cemeteries

WDVA veteran memorial cemeteries in King, Spooner, and Union Grove participated in the annual Wreaths Across America event that provides holiday wreaths for veteran headstones. Hundreds of volunteers and members of area veteran service organizations helped lay wreaths on snowy headstones on Saturday, December 17, 2022. 

The wreaths will remain on the headstones at all three cemeteries throughout the holidays. We hope you can stop by and see them for yourself. WDVA is grateful for all who took time to volunteer this year. 

*Picture is from Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery at King, WI, on December 17. 

View our pictures from wreath laying events 

988+1 veteran crisis line help is available

Veterans Crisis Line is Available During the Holidays

The holidays can be filled with wonderful gatherings of friends, family, and celebration, but may also be exhausting, hectic, and overwhelming for those who are struggling during this time of year.  

If you feel like you or a veteran you know may be dealing with a crisis, help is available right now. Call 988, then press 1, to be connected to compassionate and confidential support available 24 hours a day. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect.

We all cope with stressful situations in different ways. If you feel like you might be heading toward a crisis, VA or community-based services can help. Take a free, confidential, anonymous risk assessment to see if stress and depression might be affecting you. Take the VA’s self-check assessment here.

More information is available at the Veteran Crisis Hotline website.   

Holidays WDVA image
Adayta Axelson VORP picture

VORP Spotlight:

Adayta Axelson

Meet Adayta Axelson, outreach coordinator for region 9 of WDVA’s Veteran Outreach and Recovery Program (VORP). 

Region 9 of VORP consists of the Wisconsin counties of Dane and Jefferson.

Adayta measures her professional success through her interactions with veterans in need of help. “It’s rewarding to have Veterans or past clients I’ve worked with over the years reach out and let me know they’re still doing well and the impact our relationship has made on them to this day,” says Adayta.

She finds her motivation in seeing veterans overcome their barriers and thrive. "I enjoy helping veterans be in a better place, physically and mentally, when they're ready for help or change," she says. 

While Adayta is not a veteran, her father and her sister are veterans and she is proud of their service to our nation. 

Adayta can be reached at: 608.215.6897, or at adayta.axelson@dva.wi.gov 

Helping Hands Housing

Veteran Heating and Housing Assistance During the Winter

Did you know there is assistance available for veterans struggling to cover heat and rent? Our Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program (VORP) can connect veterans with local resources and community partners that assist with rent and/or utility costs during the winter months.

Funding assistance will vary based each organization's eligibility requirements and VORP coordinators can provide guidance to the veteran while navigating these resources in their counties.

To determine your eligibility for this assistance, please contact the regional outreach coordinator for where you live, at WDVA's VORP website.

 

LPN openings at both King and Union Grove

Join our Team

WDVA is Hiring!

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs is hiring for multiple career opportunities at all levels of our department - from administrative positions to our skilled care facilities. We are always looking for talented individuals to join our WDVA team near where you live! 

Our Wisconsin Veterans Homes at King and Union Grove also have many open positions. This includes nurses, CNA, and LPN openings that also have a $2,000 hiring bonus for qualified applicants.

Take a look at these and other opportunities for you to serve Wisconsin veterans. VIEW OPENINGS HERE!

_______________________