Outreach Team Help Veterans

Outreach Team Help Veterans
Find Programs and Benefits

 

 

A team of six outreach specialists are blanketing the communities of North Dakota in search of Veterans from all services to aid them in finding programs and incentives available to them. The Outreach Team for North Dakota Veterans is a confidential service that follows up with Veterans within the state and provides care by working in conjunction with local Veteran organizations including County Veterans Service Officers, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Vet Centers.

 

"What we do is connect North Dakota Veterans from any service, or any time of service, with resources they need," said Angela Christensen, military outreach specialist. "These resources can include information on educational programs, financial assistance, marital counseling, help with substance abuse and a variety of other areas."

 

The Military Outreach program was initiated to support the North Dakota National Guard's Reintegration Program, which is designed to support North Dakota Guardsmen and their families as they return home from active-duty mobilizations.

 

1^{st Lt. Rachael Walters, North Dakota National Guard Reintegration officer, said the Military Outreach program was an obvious and necessary addition to the Reintegration Program.}

"While we make every effort to care for Soldiers and Airmen in the North Dakota National Guard upon their return from deployments, oftentimes we find that there are a number of Veterans who are not aware of the programs and benefits available to them," Walters said. "By launching the Military Outreach program we are able to foster a community that takes pride in giving our Veterans the proper welcoming home they deserve."

 

Christensen said the outreach team finds clients through referrals made by the different Veterans organizations as well as Job Service North Dakota and homeless shelters. They also contact Veterans via phone calls and by dropping off business cards with local vendors. Walters said word-of-mouth and reaching out to the communities helps reveal the benefits that the Military Outreach team can provide.

 

In addition to meeting with North Dakota's Veterans, the Outreach Team can assist family members and employers.

"We're more than happy to meet with anyone," Christensen said. "We may not always be able to give them what they're looking for, but we can evaluate their needs and find out who can best help and serve them."

 

While the Military Outreach program has only been operational for two months, the Outreach Team has established a number of long-term goals including initiating contact with every North Dakota National Guard Veteran who has served in the Global War on Terrorism by telephone or letter. So far, they have reached 90 clients whom they have helped with various resources, including Veterans from the Korean War, Vietnam War and even World War II.

 

Christensen said another goal is to reach Veterans who live in the rural communities of North Dakota. These service members do not always have access to information about Veterans' programs and incentives.

 

"Programs and resources are always changing, too," Christensen said. "It makes it very difficult to keep up on these benefits. We're glad to be able to help out with that."

Walters agrees.

 

"Sometimes an ear is all we need to provide. It's nice to know that someone is there to listen. We strive to help Veterans help themselves through kindness and support as well as benefits and care services," she said.
 
Outreach Team
Gary Moore
Northeast Region
(Grand Forks, Devils Lake)
Phone:
701-213-6138
E-mail:
gary.d.moore1@us.army.mil
 
Angela Christensen
Southeast Region
(Fargo, Jamestown)
Phone:
701-212-6088
E-mail:
angela.christensen@us.army.mil
 

John Czapiewski
Northwest Region
(Minot, Williston)
Phone:
701-340-1895
E-mail:
john.czapiewski
@us.army.mil
 
 
Gary Schulz
Southwest Region
(Bismarck, Dickinson)
Phone:
701-425-6451
E-mail:
gary.schultz@
us.army.mil
 
Melissa Seitz
Southeast Region
(Fargo, Wahpeton)
Phone:
701-212-0466
E-mail:
melissa.seitz
@us.army.mil

Gerard Schwan
Southwest Region
(Bismarck, Dickinson)
Phone:
701-425-6678
E-mail:
gerard.schwan
@us.army.mil