Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit — Cold Weather Alert Information for Helping the Homeless
See our Street Sheet Section and other resources on this Answers Desk page: Local Homeless Veterans Resources. ### As of 12 December 2013
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit — The Cold Weather Season Has Arrived for Street Veterans
It is that time of year again when temperatures are getting cold again. Temperatures are predicted to be slightly below 32 degrees overnight throughout the next couple of days and into the weekend. I have spoken with both Shelter Directors (Salvation Army and Allentown Rescue Mission) who have agreed to Read more…
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit — Looking for a Few Good Women
No, it is not Marine recruiting we’re talking about, but instead a Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley request for veterans as construction volunteers.
They seek about 10 to 20 women who are veterans or in the Guard and Reserves for a day’s worth of construction during its Women’s Blitz Build on St. James St. in Bethlehem expected to occur from August 13 through 24, this year. (more…)
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit — Habitat Wants a Veteran for a Supervisory Position
Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley, a low income housing building ministry which relies on volunteers, is keenly interested in finding veterans to help them because they come with many of the skill sets needed. It is currently offering a paid, part-time supervisory position at its new Lehigh Valley Read more…
LVMAC NEWS
LVMAC Tidbit — Local Habitat for Humanity Seeks Humane Veterans
Debra Cummins, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Lehigh Valley (HFHLV), an LVMAC member, and her Program Development Director, Thomas Mohr, a veteran, addressed the Council at its 17 March 2013 business meeting on its desire to recruit veterans as volunteers.
She said, “Habitat for Humanity International, the parent organization, has a global vision of everyone having a decent place to live. And Habitat has been in the Lehigh Valley since 1989 improving lives, seeking to put God’s love into action by bringing people together, for it is an ecumenical movement.” She emphasized the organization will work with and provide homes regardless of a person’s religious persuasion. (more…)
LVMAC NEWS
LVMAC News — Veterans, Reservists and the National Guard Should Worry About a Pennsylvania Payday Lending Bill
In this Issue
Pending Payday Lending Legislation: A Debt Trap for Military Veterans
General Announcements
Homelessness
Scholarship Program
Community Educational Outreach
PTSD Booklet for Families
Healthcare in Our Community
Veterans Supportive Colleges Initiative
DoD/VA News
Pending Payday Lending Legislation: A Debt Trap for Military Veterans
Go to the Forward Observer article on payday lending to read what Kerry Smith told the Council at its 20 March business meeting. (more…)
LVMAC NEWS
LVMAC News — Babb-ling on About Military History
In This Issue
- Mr. Babb Talks About the Veterans History Project Roundtable
- Veterans Affairs Committee Develops Its Operating Budget
- Looking Forward on the Homelessness Front
- 2013 Scholarship Season Opening
- Re-looking Our Employment Programs
- Health Care Initiative Progressing
- Project Healing Waters Events Set for 2013
- Focus on Colleges Begins
- Report on the War Veterans Council
- DoD/VA News
MR. BABB TALKS ABOUT THE VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT ROUNDTABLE
David Babb, a historian and interviewer for the Lehigh Valley Veterans History Project Roundtable, a member organization, spoke to the Council at its business meeting on 17 January 2013.
His organization was formed in 2007 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization two capture the stories of all wartime veterans and also those who served on the home front. It collects documents and preserves their personal experiences and then shares those stories with both the public and the Library of Congress. To date about 200 interviews have been done. (more…)
LVMAC NEWS
LVMAC News — Dr. Bhatia Speaks About the VA’s Mental Health Efforts
WILKES-BARRE VA MEDICAL CENTER SAYS IT IS PAYING MORE ATTENTION TO MENTAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY
Dr. Aruna Bhatia, Chief of Mental/Behavioral Health Services spoke to the Council at its business meeting on 19 December on the advances in care by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In an honest and straightforward talk, she stated there has been a focus on mental health over the last decade and a lot of work done in recovery, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and suicide prevention, albeit with some stumbling along the way. (more…)
LVMAC NEWS
LVMAC News — Thrivent Foundation Wishes to Work with LVMAC
THRIVENT FINANCIAL WANTS TO GET INVOLVED IN ASSISTING VETERANS
Messrs. Rick Baldwin, Community Engagement Coordinator, Tom Knauer and Michael Colson, the regional point of contact, of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans addressed the Council at its 26 September business meeting. Although there is no chapter specific to the Lehigh Valley, there are about 107,287 members in 53 chapters throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Consequently, it might play a huge role to the benefit of veterans in our valley. This is what their talk centered around. (more…)
Forward Observer
Forward Observer — ‘Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012’ Enacted!
NEW VETERANS OMINBUS BILL SIGNED INTO LAW ON 6 AUGUST
Surprisingly, nothing has been mentioned in the local media on the recent passage of H.R. 1627 (now known as Public Law 112-154), Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012, despite its importance to the veterans community. It is an omnibus bill affecting many; and it finally brings some, though not total, resolution to the Camp Lejeune water contamination situation which has been previously written about.
Several veterans organizations withheld their support because the Lejeune provision set a dangerous precedent in their opinion. In their minds, the bill unfairly levies requirements on the VA to take care of an essentially Department of Defense (DoD) or TRICARE problem. While we might agree with them from one perspective, the larger issue is the government taking responsibility to care for those in need of it, no matter whence it comes. We are more concerned about the fact that no one currently knows when the VA will implement the Lejeune actions required, since no deadline has been set. (more…)