Various Minnesota organizations providing support to military families.
Armed Forces Service Center
The Armed Forces Service Center is located at the MSP Airport, since November 22, 1970. The Center serves as an oasis for "active duty" military personnel and dependents. As well as, Reservists, National Guard, DoD and PHS (on any orders), as they travel through the Minneapolis / St. Paul International Airport. The Center is open 24 / 7, three hundred and sixty-five days a year ... to make sure our doors are never closed to a serviceperson in need of food, shelter or assistance.
The Armed Forces Service Center is not a "USO." Our one-of a-kind facility is unique to Minnesota, we rely on our funding from various veterans organizations, their auxiliaries, as well as, private organization and individuals. The AFSC was founded by Maggie Purdum, as a tribute to those who serve -- after her son died in Vietnam. In November 2005, we celebrated our 35th Anniversary and, 700,000th military guest.
On September 11, 2001, we were able to provide this valuable service to "sixteen" Marines stranded at the MSP Airport for five days -- when all flights were grounded. The Center offers a variety of complimentary food, beverages, TV (w/CNN), a fax machine / printer / copier, two computers with high speed Internet access, phones cards, a bathroom, toiletries, magazines and separate sleeping bunks for servicemen and servicewomen.
Blue Star
The Blue Star started back in World War I. It indicates that a family member is serving in the military. Some Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) will provide a free Blue Star Banner to family members. Additionally, there is the organization called Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc with various Minnesota chapters.
Family Assistance Center (FAC)
FACs have an important one-stop assistance and referral role for individual families. They are usually formed for major deployments. FACs provide linkages to Rear Detachment Command (RDC) and the State Family Programs Office. Currently, in Minnesota there are 11 operational FACs operational. Please contact any of the FAC's below by walking in, sending an e-mail or by phone.
Family Support Center
The 934th Airlift Wing was the military's first Joint Family Readiness Center! Honored for "Unprecedented Vision and Resourcefulness in establishing and operating the First Joint Readiness Center". They ares always there to assist Total Force Airmen, DoD Civilians, Retirees and their families on a wide range of work and family issues. Services provided are: Crisis Counseling, Relocation Planning and Preparation, Managing your Finances, Developing effective Family Relationship Skills, Volunteering, Personal and Family Readiness, Transitioning to Civilian Life, Employment Search Skills and Career Development.
Female Combat Veterans
What does it mean to be a female with combat experience? How have my military experiences affected me and my family? How can I better deal with negative emotions? Come and join an opportunity for support and growth at the St. Paul Vet Center, Monday nights from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Gold Medal of Remembrance
The Gold Medal of Remembrance is a very special memento that recognizes and honors the children who have recently lost a parent in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom. It effectively reminds everyone that casualties are found on the home front as well as on the battlefield. Designed by the Institute of Heraldry, which provides special services to the US Armed Forces, federal agencies, and the Office of the President, this uniquely beautiful medal and its associated certificate are a truly special American tradition.
The Medal - The medal's gold denotes optimism and high achievement and embodies the emotional riches gained from a close relationship with family and friends. The flame symbolizes remembrance, hope and freedom. The laurel wreath is the ancient symbol of honor and victory. The golden flame within a star is the official emblem of the Commission on Remembrance. This medal was produced by Ira Green, Inc.
The Ribbon - The ribbon’s purple color represents the wounded heart of the child who has endured the loss of a parent, while the black line denotes reminiscence. Lastly, the red, white, and blue proudly represent the United States of America.
Governor's Council on Faith and Community Service Initiatives
Faith and community organizations provide important, unique and valuable services to thousands of Minnesotans in ways that government simply cannot replicate. The many organizations and volunteers who make a difference in the lives of others each and every day are applauded for making Minnesota nation-leading in volunteerism, philanthropy, and faith and community based services. It is the mission of the Special Advisor and the Governor's Council on Faith and Community Service Initiatives to support the efforts of faith and community based organizations by increasing access to existing funding resources, reducing barriers to the delivery of services, eliminating duplication of effort, streamlining the process of working with government and promoting best practices.
Housing
Minnesota Housing has information on housing as it relates to veterans and their families. It includes homeownership opportunities, short-term mortgage assistance, financial counseling and mortgage foreclosure prevention assistance, mortgage or rental housing assistance, and supportive housing.
Mary Pawlenty's First Lady Military Family Care Initiative
When there is a call to active duty, families of military personnel have many adjustments to make. It is much easier for the families to cope with these difficult changes if they know they are being cared for by their communities. A simple task like mowing the grass or preparing a meal can go a long way toward helping a family in this time of need.
Your support is very important to our military families. The National Guard and Reserves are no longer serving one weekend a month and two weeks a year. Our Minnesota soldiers today must be prepared for lengthy overseas deployment. In fact, some soldiers are currently serving their 2nd or 3rd tour of duty.
Minnesota Dept. of Human Services
The MN Dept. of Human Services along with county and tribal social service agencies, provides a variety of services to help families. Services include topics like Health Care, Child Services, Financial Services and others. Visit their website for more detailed information.
Minnesota Board on Aging
The Minnesota Board on Aging is the gateway to services for seniors and their families. MBA listens to senior concerns, researches for solutions, and proposes policy to address senior needs. In addition, MBA administer funds from the Older Americans Act that provide a spectrum of services to seniors, including Senior LinkAge Line™, Insurance Counseling and more.
MinnesotaHelp.info
Minnesotahelp.info has listings of 30,000 health and human services resources in Minnesota and is the state's most comprehensive online human services database. It also includes information about veterans services. The site includes services from government, for-profit and not for profit entities. The mission of the site is to ensure accurate and timely delivery of the most up-to-date information about resource to anyone who is doing a search for help whether consumer or professional. A secondary mission is to ensure that consumers can get access to private and public pay services so that they can make informed decision about their best options and direct their own lives.
Minnesota Military Appreciation Fund
This fund was set up by businesses and community leaders to support service members who have just returned home. The organization provides a monetary gift to previously deployed troops to show appreciation for their service.
Minnesota Military Family Foundation
A non-profit organization developed to help soften the financial hardships that may occur at home while a soldier is deployed. The MMFF distributes money through grants to families that need a little help during deployment.
Minnesota Military & Military Dependents Absentee Voting
Information from the Minnesota Secretary of State on how to vote while stationed away from Minnesota. Note: Your absentee ballot must be received in your precinct by Election Day when the polls close, or it will not be counted. So, apply and send in your ballot early.
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
Founded out of tragedy in 1994, TAPS has grown and established itself as the front line resource to families and loved ones of our military men and women. TAPS has provided comfort and care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through comprehensive services and programs including peer based emotional support, case work assistance, crisis intervention, and grief and trauma resources.
TAPS provides ongoing emotional help, hope, and healing to all who are grieving the death of a loved one in military service to America, regardless of relationship to the deceased, geography, or circumstance of the death. TAPS meets its mission by providing peer-based support, crisis care, casualty casework assistance, and grief and trauma resources.
Minnesota information - www.taps.org/caregroups.aspx?id=2729
National information - www.taps.org
88th Blue Devil Association
Nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance for the soldiers in the 88th RRC and their families in the 6 state region of the 88th RRC to include Minnesota. Requests for assistance are identified through the chain of command and the 88th RRC Family Support Program. The Blue Devil Association approves the financial assistance and provides the funding. Contact the 88th RRC, DCS, G1 Chaplain’s office: attention MAJ. Kathleen Couillard at 612-713-3082.
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