New group wants to help GF-area veterans

The Grand Forks Area Veterans Network met Tuesday for the first time, said Shelle Michaels, Soldiers' Angels national communication officer and one of the local organizers.
By: Kevin Bonham, Grand Forks Herald

 
A group of area residents is forming a new military veterans network to help veterans connect with services and with each other.
 

The Grand Forks Area Veterans Network met Tuesday for the first time, said Shelle Michaels, Soldiers' Angels national communication officer and one of the local organizers.

One of the group's main goals is to connect veterans throughout the region with organizations and services that serve them.
 

"It's something that I've felt very adamant about," Michaels said. "It's the communication piece, to get everybody at the table, so there's no big gap in the Grand Forks area for our veterans."
 

The need has increased, she said, with the recent opening of the Grand Forks VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, which is drawing veterans from communities throughout northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.
 

Other organizers include Heidi Sanger, who works with veterans at the new VA clinic, and Grand Forks County Veterans Service Officer Barb Zavala.
 

The next goal is to establish a name, whether it's Grand Forks Area Veterans Network or something else. The group also will develop a mission statement and a set of guidelines. But the ultimate goal, said Michaels, is sharing, networking and communication.
 

The group's mission statement likely will be similar to that of the Interservice Family Assistance Committee, a national voluntary cooperative partnership comprised of military and non-military members. Michaels is involved with the North Dakota chapters.

 
The ISFAC's mission statement is:

- To provide networking for training and assistance to ensure family readiness and service member welfare for all branches of service.

- To enable all military families and service members to receive assistance from closest source.

- To expand communication and establish a network among family and service member providers.

- To reduce duplication of services and efforts.
 

Michaels said the local group also likely will work to foster relationships with area businesses.

 
"We encourage businesses to do things for our veterans," she said. "It's not our place to promote businesses, but some businesses in the community go way out of their way to support veterans. And it's important to showcase that."
 

The new group, which is open to any military veteran, will meet at noon on the second Thursdays of each month. The next meeting is Dec. 10 at the Italian Moon. 
 
 http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/141554/
 
Shelle Michaels
 
"May No Soldier Go Unloved"
 
Soldiers' Angels National Communication Officer
ShelleMichaels@SoldiersAngels.org
www.SoldiersAngels.org
 
Ladies of Liberty Team Director
LadiesofLiberty@SoldiersAngels.org
www.SoldiersAngelsLadiesOfLiberty.com
 
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