Serving those who served us, as well as engaging the talents of our veterans and military families is a strategic priority for the Corporation for National and Community Service.
On any given day, there are nearly 50 different grantee organizations, hundreds of projects and initiatives, and more than 4,000 CNCS empowered individuals engaged in service that benefits our military family and veteran community.
As we pursue our goals, we are guided by the following principles:
More than 16,000 veterans have served in AmeriCorps since its inception helping other veterans and military families access benefits and services; obtain job training and conduct job searching; provide safe and affordable housing; and mentor and tutor children of service members.
More than 500 Senior Corpsprojects and 8,000 volunteers serve at Veterans Affairs facilities every year, assisting elderly and disabled veterans, helping military retirees acclimate to life after service, and providing transportation to those in need of medical treatment.
AmeriCorps NCCC has supported more than 50,000 veterans through special service projects, special events and disaster relief/recovery. More than 2,000 veterans received the support of relief services in the Gulf after hurricane Katrina.
This year, as a part of our Strategic Plan, the Corporation has committed to increasing its focus and efforts for our veterans and military families. In addition, we are increasing our investment and partnerships with other federal, state, local, and non-profits from coast to coast.
If you are a wounded warrior, veteran or military spouse interested in the benefits of National Service, apply here. If you are a non-profit or state entity who would like to learn more about our competitive grants, apply here. If you are looking for community service opportunities in your neighborhood to help Veterans and Military families, please visit www.serve.gov.
Around the country, December is welcomed as a month of hope and good cheer. It may be a season for the exchanging of gifts, or for the sharing of time and resources with community members in need. For many, it is also a time to gather together with loved ones to reminisce about cherished memories and create new stories that will be shared in the future. Such stories preserve the legacy of a family, the history of a generation, and perhaps most important of all, the story of a nation.
As military deployments became more common for National Guard and Reserve troops, the emotional strain hits children left behind especially hard. Operation: Military Kids (OMK) supports military youth age 5-18 with outreach programs to help them cope with the stresses of being away from their parents serving far from home.
The transient nature of military life can make life difficult for students in military families, and many are stationed at Fort Leonard Wood for less than two years or experience parental deployment. They often have challenges with making new friends, fitting into social groups, and connecting with the community.
As President Obama said in his proclamation declaring November as Military Family Month, behind each service member "stands a parent, a sibling, a child, a spouse -- proud family members who share the weight of deployment and make profound sacrifices on behalf of our country."
