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Sep
Warrior to Citizen Initiative in Central Minnesota
Warrior to Citizen Initiative in Central Minnesota
The Warrior to Citizen Initiative’s mission is to engage community members in support of service members and their families.
Key goals:
• Increase community understanding and awareness of the day-today issues and challenges faced by veterans and their families.
• Provide targeted training and education through collaborative efforts regarding the positive actions that employers, educators, human services, health care providers and government entities can take to support veterans and their families
• Help ensure access to services for veterans and their families
More than 30 different organizations and many individuals have been active in the Warrior to Citizen planning team including the St. Cloud VA Medical Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota, MN WorkForce Center, Mayors of 9 area cities including Sartell and St. Cloud, STARS for Children’s Mental Health, Catholic Charities, Independent Lifestyles, American Red Cross, Child Care Choices, United Way of Central Minnesota, St. Cloud Area Family YMCA, veteran’s organizations, family members of troops and veterans and clergy.
More than 300 local community members have participated in educational and awareness building sessions held in 2007 and 2008. The local initiative was kicked off by Senator Tarryl Clark and the efforts of the Humphrey Institute.
The Warrior to Citizen planning team is currently focused in two key areas:
• Working with local cities to become Yellow Ribbon communities demonstrating their commitment to service members and their families and planning
• Planning a Fall 2009 educational session for employers focused on how employers can support deployed service members and their families.
Local community members are invited to become involved. Contact:
Joan Vincent, St. Cloud VA Medical Center
joan.vincent2@va.gov or Direct phone: (320) 255-6381
Betty Schnettler, United Way of Central Minnesota
bschnettler@unitedwayhelps.org or Direct phone: (320) 229-3507
