Forming partnerships in community service: during a two-days service conference, VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members learned the importance of partnering with other organizations

VFW Magazine, August, 2002 by Janie Blankenship, Shannon Hanson

In keeping with Commander-in-Chief Jim Goldsmith's theme, VFW members were encouraged to "reach out" to other service organizations during the third National Community Service Conference.

Some 14 like-minded organizations joined VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members during this two-day event held April 5-6 in Crystal City, Va.

"Our communities face many challenges, but none are impossible to overcome" Goldsmith said during the opening session. "For this reason, it's good to team up with other organizations."

A shining example of partnership was illustrated in a VFW National Home workshop during the conference.

Mike Kessler, the home's director, announced its Mentormore program, through which 23 volunteers from Americorps will mentor both children and adults at the home. He said the home received a grant for $205,862 to provide the volunteers a living allowance and school financial assistance.

Children will be mentored in academics, sports, music and developmental assets, such as safety, social skills, driver's education and studying habits. Adults will be mentored in areas such as job coaching, parenting skills, education evaluation and household budgeting.

The volunteers also will help with transition assistance by bringing new residents into the home and helping residents move into a new community. They will locate local services in the family's new town, such as post offices and grocery stores, and help with the physical move.

Other workshops stressed partnering, too:

* John Dunn of Join Hands Day encouraged members to team up with groups of young people and clean parks or restore memorials for Join Hands Day, held each June.

* In Pfizer's Together We Stand workshop, conference attendees learned how to educate fellow veterans about the importance of regular medical check-ups. Pfizer has produced a packet of health-related information available to all VFW Posts.

* Linda Boone, with the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, suggested Posts contact nonprofit homeless groups in their respective communities and volunteer. She encouraged members to host "Stand Downs" and fund-raisers on behalf of homeless vets.

* In the Military Assistance Program (MAP) workshop, Army Lt. Mark Neil urged members to form relationships with area National Guard and Reserve components. He said families of those called to duty are always in need of assistance, and VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members can fill many needs.

`REACH OUT TO YOUNG AMERICANS'

Other conference speakers included actor Gary Collins with March of Dimes, the recipients of VFW's National Citizenship Education Teacher Award and 1995 national Voice of Democracy winner, Amanda Sapir. Author and teacher Stacey Bess addressed the importance of educating America's youth. The recipient of the 1995 Ladies Auxiliary Unsung Heroine Award, Bess called VFW and Ladies Auxiliary the "greatest public servants in the country."

At the Celebration of Achievement Banquet, several attendees received recognition, including the 2001-02 Voice of Democracy winner Allegrsa Guarino.