Outreach Programs – Military, Veterans & Family

Visit the NDVS Caregivers Guide for a comprehensive list of federal, state and local caregiver resources.

Benefit Category: Federal

ChildCare Aware® of America: The nation’s leading voice for child care. They work with state and local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies (CCR&Rs) and other community partners to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. To achieve their mission, they lead projects that increase the quality and availability of child care, offer comprehensive training to child care professionals, undertake research, and advocate for child care policies that improve the lives of children and families.

Visit the Military Families Program for information on childcare assistance.

Benefit Category: Federal

National Guard Family Program: The National Guard Family Program exists for the purpose of supporting and educating families along the path of their National Guard life. Find out how the National Guard 

Family Program helps families prepare for what lies ahead. Let us show you how to be “Always Ready, Always There.”

• Volunteer: National Guard Volunteers contribute a broad range of services that enhance the capabilities of National Guard programs and services and augment the efforts of paid staff. It is the goal of the National Guard Volunteer Program to provide assistance and support for volunteer programs at the state level.
• Child and Youth: Learn about the opportunities and support provided by the National Guard Family Program for youth and kids of all ages.

Visit the NDVS page with information about this program: https://veterans.nv.gov/guitars-for-vets/

Guitars for Vets (G4V) is a national, volunteer program that teaches guitar lessons to veterans who are referred by the VA. G4V has two Nevada chapters: one at the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Gardnerville and a second chapter at the VA Medical Center in Reno.

Veterans gain entry into the program via a referral/consultation from their VA case/social worker to the VA department hosting G4V. If you live near any of the chapters, you can work with your case/social worker to get a referral into the program. Please note that Guitars for Vets does not control admission into the program. That is the responsibility of the local VA department hosting G4V. You can find a complete list of VA facilities here: https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp.

Benefit Category: Federal

Make the Connection is a public awareness campaign by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that provides personal testimonials and resources to help Veterans discover ways to improve their lives. Many of our Nation’s Veterans—from those who served in World War II to those involved in current conflicts—return not only with physical wounds but also mental health issues they may not recognize.

The Make the Connection campaign encourages Veterans and their families to “make the connection"— with information and resources, with the strength and resilience of Veterans like themselves, with other people, and with available sources of support including mental health treatments.

Central to this campaign is MakeTheConnection.net, a one-stop resource where Veterans and their families and friends can privately explore information about physical and mental health symptoms, challenging life events, and mental health conditions. On this site, Veterans and their families and friends can learn about available resources and support.

Powerful personal stories and testimonials are at the heart of Make the Connection, illustrating how Veterans face and overcome mental health issues and challenges. These stories and testimonials come from Veterans of all service eras, genders, and backgrounds and each of them provides a resounding and compelling example of the positive outcomes for treatment, recovery, and the many paths to more fulfilling lives.

Through Veterans’ own voices, Veterans have the chance to hear from trusted and credible sources—other Veterans like themselves. MakeTheConnection.net helps Veterans recognize that there are people out there like them who are going through similar experiences, overcoming challenges, reaching positive outcomes for treatment and recovery, and finding paths to fulfilling lives.

Benefit Category: Federal

A 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, founded by Lt. General, Leroy Sisco, USA (Ret), in 2007. Military Warriors Support Foundation's mission is to provide support for our nation’s combat wounded heroes and Gold Star Families as they transition out of the military and into their new civilian life. This is a very fragile time for these heroes, and their families, and it is their goal to provide programs that facilitate a smooth and successful transition. Their programs include home donation, academic and employment assistance, as well as recreational activities.

Benefit Category: Federal

Our Military Kids provides tangible support to the children of deployed and severely injured National Guard and Military Reserve personnel through grants for sports, fine arts and tutoring that nurture and sustain the children during the time a parent is away in service to our country.

Benefit Category: Federal

Project New Hope exists to provide veteran family retreats.

Including the whole family (even the kids!) is unique to Project New Hope and fosters family togetherness through a wilderness getaway.

It is our goal to provide combat veterans and their families with the education, training, and skills necessary to manage their lives after wartime service; repair of relationships is a primary goal. And of course, have fun in the process!

NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS. That's right. There is no cost to the families on the retreat.

Project New Hope was founded in 2007 by caring individuals who understand that for veterans and their families, wartime doesn’t end the day that soldier comes home. The effects of serving our country in the military are often felt throughout a soldier’s entire lifetime, and can have an impact on each family member as well, often in ways that may be quite subtle or hidden from view.

We realize the process of healing and understanding is a vital component to life success after war. Each family member will deal with what has happened in their own way. Returning soldiers face the challenge of transition from war footing, to civilian home life. Often, it can seem as though they’re in it alone, as though people expect them to pick up where they’d been, as though nothing had changed during their time away. Spouses may struggle with changes in the home, first with their soldier gone, and then to another set of changes after the return. Children may lack the maturity to independently adjust to the absence of a parent, their return, and the transitions which must take place.

No matter which era a soldier served in – Korea, Vietnam, The Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan – it doesn’t matter at Project New Hope. All U. S. veterans and their families are welcome. There is no charge associated with Project New Hope retreats. Financial concerns will never prevent us from offering our services to soldiers and their families.

If you or someone you know has served our country in times of war, please join Project New Hope for a weekend retreat for the entire family. Come join other veterans and their families, as we all continue on the journey. What happened before was beyond our control…what happens next, is up to you.

Email us at info@projectnewhope.net for general inquiries or write to:

Project New Hope
21008 Co. Hwy. 35
Underwood, MN 56586

You can also call Dale Johansen at (218) 826-6834 or email at dalebetj@gmail.com.

Outreach Events

Due to COVID-19, all events have been cancelled until further notice.

Walk-in appointments are welcome, but can only be seen as time permits. To schedule an advanced appointment, at (702) 224-6025.

Veterans are advised to bring a copy of their DD-214 discharge document, current VA paperwork, medical information and banking account information. If the claim involves dependents, bring birth certificates, current and prior marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and social security numbers.

Scroll down for ROVER event dates and times in your area:

• Northern Nevada ROVER events (PDF)
• Southern Nevada ROVER events (PDF)

Benefit Category: Nevada

Silver Star Families of America (SSFOA) is dedicated to supporting and assisting wounded, ill, injured and dying active duty and Veterans and their families of ALL Branches of Service from ALL Wars. Their goal is to recognize the blood sacrifice of wounded and those with injuries and illnesses originating in a warzone and remember their efforts by honoring them with the Silver Star Service Banner. Qualifications include: Purple Heart recipients, victims of friendly fire, those who suffer from PTSD, Agent Orange effects and Gulf War syndrome. May 1 is Silver Star Service Banner Day and is recognized across our nation as a day to honor our Heroes together.

SSFOA assists in educating the public concerning the plight of these wounded, ill or dying heroes and provide many programs to aid in their progress. They sit on the VA Volunteer Service Advisory Board and work together with other troop organizations and groups to support in whatever way possible. SSFOA is a not for profit, all volunteer organization and depends totally on donations. All donations and proceeds go toward the purchase of Silver Star Banners and assistance programs relating to SSFOA mission.

Benefit Category: National

Soldiers’ Angels has many wonderful programs to support our military families, deployed service members, wounded service members and veterans. Our programs are broken into categories based on the population they serve. Soldiers’ Angels offers programs for wounded, deployed, families, and others. Most of our programs could not be possible without the support of the wonderful Angels who dedicate their time, money and talents, to the organization.

Below is a list of the various programs and teams. Click a link below and read more about the program, how it works and how you can get involved!

Veteran Support

• Benefiting Troops and Veterans in VA Hospitals – The Soldiers Angels Veteran Affairs Medical Center Support program assists patients at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers and supports Stand Downs.

Deployed Support

• Letter Writing Team – Individualized support throughout deployment.
• Deployed Adoptions Team – Individualized support throughout deployment
• Angel Bakers Team – Homemade treats for the deployed

Wounded Support

• Soldiers’ Angels Landstuhl, Germany – Supporting medevac’d wounded/ill and medical staff at Landstuhl
• Valor-IT – Providing adaptive laptops for the severely wounded or injured.

Family Support

• Living Legends Team – Comforting the loved ones left behind when a warrior falls on the battlefield.
• Operation Top Knot Team – Handmade gifts and virtual baby showers
• Women of Valor Team – Providing support to female caregivers of Post 9-11 wounded, ill and injured service members.

Other Support

• Sewing and Crafting Team – Handmade blankets, scarves and pillowcases

Visit the NDVS Survivor Guide for a list of resources.

Benefit Category: Federal

TAPS offers a wonderful network of trained professionals who are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We understand that grief doesn’t follow a normal ‘business day’ schedule and we will answer your call anytime for help or information and spend as much time as necessary to help you. Whether during the day or at night, when grief can make for sleepless nights, you can call us at 1-800-959-8277. We are here for you!