SDVM Editorial Spotlight

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EDITORIAL SPOTLIGHT

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / FEBRUARY 2022

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Nonprofit Initiative Program San Diego Veterans Magazine is providing complimentary editorial opportunities for the most innovative and groundbreaking veteran organizations, nonprofits and service agencies in San Diego.

San Diego Veterans Magazine features monthly columns & articles on topics of interest for today’s veterans, transitioning military personnel, active military, and the families that keep it together.

Editorial Spotlight Sample Support The Enlisted Project (STEP) Few other jobs, if any, require greater risk, personal sacrifice, family disruption, emotional distress, time demands, and psychological impact than the job of a Coast Guardsman, Marine, a Sailor, an Airman, or a Soldier in today’s military.

In 2012, Support The Enlisted Project (STEP) started as an organization that wanted to support the most vulnerable in the military – young, junior enlisted service members who are asked to do dangerous, important jobs, with some of the lowest incomes in the country. They wanted to ensure everyone had their basic needs met in order to always be mission-ready.

Since then, STEP has evolved from supporting basic, urgent needs, to include working one-on-one with families to find their own path to financial selfsufficiency. They help navigate an imminent financial crisis, ensure no basic need is lost, while simultaneously work on an individualized plan for their overall financial well-being.

Founded by Veterans, STEP understands the demands of the job both on the service member, and their family.

They know many getting into the military do not have financial literacy skills to navigate the low-pay and financial demands of the job: frequent moves without

100% reimbursements, high-cost-of-living areas, lack of childcare options, low spousal employment or under employed. The program is designed to set up these families for success, even when living paycheckto-paycheck. For the service member and Veteran to succeed, they must be ready for change and willing to make the sacrifices needed to prepare for the future, even when circumstances are outside their control.

In April, as the pandemic continued to shut down much of our world, a Marine family was struggling to pay rent when his wife was let go from her $15.50 hour job. Now rent was not the biggest concern but ensuring food on the table was. They came to STEP for help and a social worker, certified in financial counseling, worked with them to develop a plan they could survive on until she was able to find work again.

“We were pretty good with money. There wasn’t a lot of it, so we lived month-to-month with a small savings.

When my wife lost her job that all changed, and I went to STEP for help. After paying two months of our rent and getting us groceries, we were able to breath and focus on what came next. And by February 2022 we’ll be able to start saving money again, even with my wife’s new part-time job. It’s a good feeling to be back in control.” – Marco, E4

STEP continued their Warehouse Distributions monthly throughout the year serving 21,373 individuals, 259,000 pounds of food and provided 120,930 diapers. They recognize challenges our military community faces, and were there to help them meet those needs with 18 distributions in San Diego, Oceanside, and Orange County. Through their partnership with the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and community donors, STEP was able to provide families with two weeks’ worth of meals and other essentials to help offset the cost of critical needs.

FREE AD (VANC Members) www.teamstepusa.org

With STEP’s proven record, they recognized the value in sustainably expanding the EFA program to address the needs of more military and Veteran families. After careful exploration, their Board voted to pilot an expansion of services throughout the State of Washington where the local military leadership unanimously welcomes STEP as a resource for their young families. In collaboration with Joint Base Louis McCord’s out-processing program, STEP is reaching 1,000 transitioning services members every quarter.

As a result of this critical expansion, STEP now serves 20% of the United States Military population, with 13% in Southern California and another 7% percent living on or near military bases in the State of Washington.

Since expanding to the area, STEP has seen a steady increase in client cases in Washington, which now comprises 25% of clients served.

STEP’s social workers continue to conduct remote counseling to maintain socially distanced services and the practice continues to prove successful for Washington-based clients.

www.teamstepusa.org info@teamstepusa.org

“What we learned this year is that STEP’s EFA program, along with the community’s support, have been able to answer the call from those families with a critical need loss and also plant the seeds of prudent financial management along the way,” shared Tony Teravainen, CEO & C0-Founder of STEP and recipient of San Diego County’s Veteran of the Year award. “I am really proud of my team as they manage our clients needs and, I am always grateful for the generosity of our community.”

STEP is a privately funded, 4-Star Charity Navigator rated non-profit that serves all E1-E6 active duty and transitioning Veterans in Southern California.

To learn how you can assist their programs through advocacy, volunteering or financial support, go to www.teamstepusa.org

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WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / JANUARY 2022

info@teamstepusa.org

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / JANUARY 2022

Editorial Spotlight Samples Pages 4-13 For more information or to sign up for your FREE Editorial Spotlight Contact: Mike Miller (858) 275-4281 • mikemiller@sdvetsmagazine.com VANC Members or to Join VANC contact Lori Boody at: (760) 722-1277 • lori@vanc.me 2

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / FEBRUARY 2022

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VANC Members / VANC New Members EDITORIAL SPOTLIGHT: San Diego Veterans Magazine (print & online) & SDVM Website Showcase your Mission, Programs, Events, Membership, Donations & Assistance information and more, with over 100,000+ veterans, military personal, philanthropists, civilians and supportive advocates for FREE. San Diego Veterans Magazine & VANC Veterans Team Program DETAILS EVERY VANC Member & NEW Members will receive the following: • 2 Page Featured Editorial Spotlight & Half Page Ad FREE • (Editorial Month can be reserved in advance, or month of availability.)

• (NEW) VANC will have its own dedicated resource page on SDVM “Award Winning Website” that will feature all VANC Member Editorial Spotlights.

Spotlight Details: Word Count: 700 to 850 (please send in word doc, edited and ready to go) FYI, adding testimonials & stories of inspiration tend to create a stronger sense of interest & action from our readers, philanthropists & advocates. *Include your website URL address and important/urgent URL links, & contact information. (SDVM team will be available for assistance.)

Image(s) - Logo and an image or two if you want to share with the article. (please send images & logo separately - hi-res if possible) Ad size with spotlight: Vertical: 3.916 x 10.3125 (FREE) Deadline: TBD Content & Ad will be provided by organization *If an organization does not have a writer, SDVM can create a spotlight for you by using the information from your website. (organizations may need to send any new updated info, events, etc.)

Veteran/Nonprofit Organizations & “For purpose Businesses” EDITORIAL SPOTLIGHTS ARE AVAILABLE: San Diego Veterans Magazine (print & online)

What’s the difference? VANC Editorial Spotlights receive a FREE Spotlight Ad and placed under the VANC dedicated resource page at SDVM website.

*Editorial spotlights are still FREE, *if an organization wants the Ad to promote events, services that benefit veterans, etc. it will be available at a VERY-LOW discounted nonprofit cost) *There is no need to place Ad unless you want to add it.

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / FEBRUARY 2022

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Support The Enlisted Project (STEP) Few other jobs, if any, require greater risk, personal sacrifice, family disruption, emotional distress, time demands, and psychological impact than the job of a Coast Guardsman, Marine, a Sailor, an Airman, or a Soldier in today’s military.

In 2012, Support The Enlisted Project (STEP) started as an organization that wanted to support the most vulnerable in the military – young, junior enlisted service members who are asked to do dangerous, important jobs, with some of the lowest incomes in the country. They wanted to ensure everyone had their basic needs met in order to always be mission-ready.

100% reimbursements, high-cost-of-living areas, lack of childcare options, low spousal employment or under employed. The program is designed to set up these families for success, even when living paycheckto-paycheck. For the service member and Veteran to succeed, they must be ready for change and willing to make the sacrifices needed to prepare for the future, even when circumstances are outside their control.

Editorial Spotlight

Since then, STEP has evolved from supporting basic, urgent needs, to include working one-on-one with families to find their own path to financial selfsufficiency. They help navigate an imminent financial crisis, ensure no basic need is lost, while simultaneously work on an individualized plan for their overall financial well-being.

Founded by Veterans, STEP understands the demands of the job both on the service member, and their family.

They know many getting into the military do not have financial literacy skills to navigate the low-pay and financial demands of the job: frequent moves without

4

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / FEBRUARY 2022

In April, as the pandemic continued to shut down much of our world, a Marine family was struggling to pay rent when his wife was let go from her $15.50 hour job. Now rent was not the biggest concern but ensuring food on the table was. They came to STEP for help and a social worker, certified in financial counseling, worked with them to develop a plan they could survive on until she was able to find work again.

“We were pretty good with money. There wasn’t a lot of it, so we lived month-to-month with a small savings.

When my wife lost her job that all changed, and I went to STEP for help. After paying two months of our rent and getting us groceries, we were able to breath and focus on what came next. And by February 2022 we’ll be able to start saving money again, even with my wife’s new part-time job. It’s a good feeling to be back in control.” – Marco, E4

STEP continued their Warehouse Distributions monthly throughout the year serving 21,373 individuals, 259,000 pounds of food and provided 120,930 diapers. They recognize challenges our military community faces, and were there to help them meet those needs with 18 distributions in San Diego, Oceanside, and Orange County. Through their partnership with the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and community donors, STEP was able to provide families with two weeks’ worth of meals and other essentials to help offset the cost of critical needs.

www.teamstepusa.org

t Sample

With STEP’s proven record, they recognized the value in sustainably expanding the EFA program to address the needs of more military and Veteran families. After careful exploration, their Board voted to pilot an expansion of services throughout the State of Washington where the local military leadership unanimously welcomes STEP as a resource for their young families. In collaboration with Joint Base Louis McCord’s out-processing program, STEP is reaching 1,000 transitioning services members every quarter.

As a result of this critical expansion, STEP now serves 20% of the United States Military population, with 13% in Southern California and another 7% percent living on or near military bases in the State of Washington.

Since expanding to the area, STEP has seen a steady increase in client cases in Washington, which now comprises 25% of clients served.

STEP’s social workers continue to conduct remote counseling to maintain socially distanced services and the practice continues to prove successful for Washington-based clients.

www.teamstepusa.org info@teamstepusa.org

“What we learned this year is that STEP’s EFA program, along with the community’s support, have been able to answer the call from those families with a critical need loss and also plant the seeds of prudent financial management along the way,” shared Tony Teravainen, CEO & C0-Founder of STEP and recipient of San Diego County’s Veteran of the Year award. “I am really proud of my team as they manage our clients needs and, I am always grateful for the generosity of our community.”

STEP is a privately funded, 4-Star Charity Navigator rated non-profit that serves all E1-E6 active duty and transitioning Veterans in Southern California.

To learn how you can assist their programs through advocacy, volunteering or financial support, go to www.teamstepusa.org

info@teamstepusa.org

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / FEBRUARY 2022

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For those who call San Diego their new Duty Station, military families often come in with excitement ready to explore their new surroundings, meet new people, and hit the beach! But what some families may not be aware of is that this duty station can come with its own set of unique challenges in terms of knowing where to turn for support when times get tough and understanding how to navigate life off base as most live within different pockets of San Diego. So, the number one thing that service providers hear from military families when faced with a challenging situation is, “I don’t know where to start…”. As often is the case, it can be overwhelming coming into this region, experiencing the high cost of living, and knowing where to turn to if you run into a snag. This may include needing emergency financial assistance, identifying childcare, seeking food assistance/diapers if in a pinch, or the many more situations that arise as a result of military family life. These reasons sum up why the San Diego Military Family Collaborative (SDMFC) was created.

San Diego’s Military Community through SDMFC’s mission of “Education, Advocacy, and Engagement” in an effort to “Build a Stronger Military Community.” In this effort, SDMFC convenes a community of Service Members, Military Spouses, DoD Partners, Government Reps, and Nonprofit Organizations who together collectively reach over 1,000 individuals annually through workshops, convenings, and communications.

CONVENINGS: How is all that possible? Well, through collaboration, no pun intended. SDMFC utilizes monthly convenings to discuss issues impacting the military community like “Spouse Employment, EFMP resources, Relationship Building, Mental Health Services, and Youth-Centric Programs/Activities for Military Youth!” For these topics, we bring in “Boots on the Ground,” organizations that can share trends from what they are seeing among military families in need of their services. Through expert panels, networking, and activities SDMFC’s audience forges interconnections and collectively amass support so that when a family is in need, they are better informed of who to turn to for support and easily get plugged into a resource or program. A first-time Service Member Participant shared, “I had no idea that all of this existed.” All are welcome to attend convenings on the 4th Friday of each month from 1000 - 1130.

Editorial Spotlight

SDMFC’s STORY: In 2010, SDMFC came together as a grouping of 6 military service organizations, led by nonprofit SAY San Diego, who felt that they all could do more to support military family life by coming together to share resources and information allowing military families to easily gain access to services. Over time, SDMFC has grown to represent over 150 active participating organizations dedicated to supporting

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WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / FEBRUARY 2022

WORKSHOPS: Not only does SDMFC convene monthly, but also offers workshops for military family engagement related to two primary fields: Transition from the Services, an Mil teen/parent forums to discuss “tough to talk about issues.”

SDMFC’s transition workshop called, “Military Transition: the Spouse Edition,” is intended for military spouses to learn the “Roadmap of Transition,” so that the family can be prepared for all decisions regarding their transition to civilian life as service members do not transition alone. SDMFC creates a virtual workshop with speakers from DoD partners and community members to help families navigate the challenges of transition so that more conversations occur prior to hanging up the uniform. Participants have tuned in from all over for this virtual program offering including up the coast from duty stations in Central/Northern California, Washington, to East Coast including Virginia and Florida, and spanning as far away as Pacific Samoa. One military spouse shared, “Glad I started the learning process early.

This will be a lot to move through and having enough time to not be overwhelmed/miss something is comforting.”To register, visit: www.sdmilitaryfamily.org/transitions

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SDMFC’s mil teen/parent workshops are called, “What I Wish My Parents Knew,” and is a way for teens to share insights into their world and express how topics like, “Relationships, Stress, and Next Steps Following Graduation,” impact their lives. There, parents can better understand how these challenges present themselves in their child’s life and allow them to learn from student leaders who voice concerns, insights, and successes. Community experts on the topics also share new st rategies and approaches to communication for parents. These listening sessions for parents can open new doors to communication channels that may have been closed by their child so that conversations can once again occur at the dinner table instead of being caught behind their smartphone. A parent participant shared, “Student presenters speaking from their own personal experience are quite articulate and very insightful.”

COMMUNICATIONS Finally, SDMFC offers a great opportunity to learn more about community programs and resources from our bi-monthly newsletters and social media platforms. To get connected, visit: www.sdmilitaryfamily.org/sdmfc-newsletter/ or follow our handle on social media: @sdmilfam.

All are welcome to participate in all program offerings at no cost, so connect with us TODAY to experience and support a “Stronger Military Community” together!

For more information, please visit: www.sdmilitaryfamily.org WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / FEBRUARY 2022

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Challenged Athletes Foundation Operation Rebound CAF Operation Rebound provides grants year-around to active duty service members, honorably discharged veterans and first responders with permanent physical injuries for sports equipment, competition and training expenses in the sport or recreational activity of their own choosing. This unique support model is effective in improving both physical and psychological well-being as it allows veterans and first responders to determine their own course towards healing and, in so doing, promotes independence in other aspects of their lives.

The program supports nationwide and does not restrict support based upon geography, time of year or type of sport in which an individual chooses to engage.

Since 2005, the program has supported over 3,000 individuals experience the healing power of sports.

Closing the fitness gap between disabled veterans and their able-bodied peers leads to more equitable health outcomes, less dependence on the healthcare system and more community engagement among disabled veterans.

Many CAF Operation Rebound athletes are active duty, military retirees and first responders. They were in top physical shape upon entering the service and often times, in an instant, faced the life- altering challenge.

Their motivates them to face their injury as a challenge to overcome instead of a life-limiting disability. Through participation in sports, they demonstrate to others and prove to themselves that they not only have the ability to overcome their challenges, but to excel in a sport that they thought they would never be able to participate in again. Wether participating in a local recreational league or competing at international competition, CAF Operation Rebound provides the resources necessary to reach their sporting goals. The Operation Rebound motto is Frontline to Finish Line.” The motto underlines the program’s importance, embodying the ethos of both independence and team work.

Editorial Spotlight

The U.S. cares for 9.1 million veterans at a medical cost of $69 billion per year. Approximately 78% of these veterans are overweight or obese, the annual care for whom costs over $2.6 billion; a cost that is entirely preventable. Of the veterans receiving VA care over 90,000 have permanent physical injuries.

Many of whom are at greater risk of becoming obese due to a lack of physical activity. This lack of activity contributes to a higher prevalence of chronic disease risk among veterans with disabilities. Fitness programs help veterans become healthy and make them feel that they are a member of a team again. However, barriers, primarily economic, can prevent many from engaging. Sports equipment, travel and training can be cost-prohibitive for veterans. Without financial support many disabled veterans are left on the sidelines, unable to engage in activities that are proven cost-effective interventions for addressing the obesity epidemic. With proper support, veterans can thrive as demonstrated by the following testimonial:

“My family and I have been hiking almost every day. I have been able to see trails I’ve never been able to make it too without the off-road chair. Hiking has quickly become a family favorite outing.

My boys wake in the morning and say, where can we take Mama today. Once again thank you so much for my chair.

It has been the best gift for my entire family. We are all very grateful.”

-Ixchel Pirlo, U.S. Army Veteran 8

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / FEBRUARY 2022

One such athlete who embodies the ethos of the Operation Rebound program is Captain Eric McElvenny, USMC (ret.) Eric excelled in both baseball and football throughout high school and went on to major in Mechanical Engineering at the U.S Naval Academy. He carried on his love for sports as a member of the Naval Academy Rugby team. Following graduation and Marine Corps training, Eric deployed three times to the Middle East. On this third deployment to Afghanistan, Eric was working with Afghan soldiers and stepped on an IED in December 2011, suffering the loss of his right leg below the knee in the explosion. It was difficult for Eric to leave his fellow marines behind and return early from deployment, but after a few months of physical therapy, Eric is back in action - this time in the world of triathlon.

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GETTING INJURED VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS BACK INTO THE GAME OF LIFE THROUGH SPORTS

With the support of the Challenged Athletes Foundation’s Operation Rebound program, Eric raced in his first two triathlons just 6 months after taking his first post-injury steps. Eric hopes to “inspire and motivate others, disabled or able bodied, athletes or not, to get out there, be active, accomplish goals, overcome adversities, build confidence and enjoy life”. In 2021, Eric earned a spot on the U.S. Para-Triathlon team, and is one of 10 CAF Operation Rebound athletes representing our country at the Tokyo Paralympic Games. Eric has not only become an elite athlete in his own right but a mentor for others. “I hope to give back to others as much as Operation Rebound has given to me.”, said Eric, summing up his selfless focus on helping others to adapt to and overcome their own challenges in pursuit of self-improvement.

CAF’s Operation Rebound® program strengthens the mental and physical well-being of veterans, military personnel, and first responders with permanent physical injuries by providing them opportunities to use sports and fitness to reintegrate into our communities and by empowering them through sports.

Through Operation Rebound-specific grant requests and sport clinics, CAF is there to support our service members from Frontline to Finish Line.

Learn more at www.challengedathletes.org

For more information visit www.operationrebound.org or contact nico@challengedathletes.org WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / FEBRUARY 2022

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SPOTLIGHT

We are all so thankful for your generosity. What you do makes what we do a little easier, and it means a lot to every one of us.”

Operation Gratitude’s mission is to forge strong bonds between Americans and their Military and First Responder Heroes through volunteer service projects, acts of gratitude, and meaningful engagements in communities nationwide. This is primarily accomplished by bringing communities together for the assembly and delivery of a tangible symbol of gratitude -- the signature Operation Gratitude Care Package.

Recruit graduates Operation Gratitude welcomes the nation’s newest service members with the help of devoted community volunteers by delivering Care Pouches at Boot Camp graduations across the country. During the pandemic, volunteers continue to give through virtual volunteerism opportunities.

Military families Operation Gratitude sends trademarked “Battalion Buddy” bears to the children of deployed service members. These comfort items are hand stuffed by volunteers at events nationwide. The Operation Gratitude team and volunteers are often invited to handdeliver these bears, where they have the opportunity to show these brave young warriors and their parents that a grateful nation stands with them during difficult times.

Editorial Spotlight

More than 17 years ago, Operation Gratitude sent its first four Care Packages to deployed Service Members in Iraq. Since then, the nonprofit has allowed millions of Americans to express appreciation through hands-on volunteerism and has lifted the spirits of more than 1.8 million deployed troops, also evolving to impact another 1.2 million recruit graduates, veterans, military families, first responders, and healthcare heroes.

Multiple programs exist at Operation Gratitude, allowing grateful Americans everywhere to show appreciation for and connect with all those who serve in a meaningful way.

Deployed troops Each year, Operation Gratitude sends hundreds of thousands of Care Packages to troops deployed around the world. Generous citizens and corporate partners donate high quality “wish list” items, “handmade with love” items, and letters of support to fill the care packages.

A sailor aboard the USS San Jacinto was a recent recipient of an Operation Gratitude care package. He shared, “This little ray of sunshine was much needed, as the unfortunate spread of the Coronavirus has stopped all of our possible port visits. Right now, we have been underway for 61 consecutive days and are expecting another 50+ before we get a break.

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WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / FEBRUARY 2022

Veterans Operation Gratitude coordinates with VA hospitals, Veteran and nursing homes, Veterans Services Organizations, and other best-in-class nonprofits to provide care packages to Veterans of all generations.

Receiving a Care Package shows veterans, often for the first time, that their service and sacrifices are appreciated and never forgotten.

Wounded Heroes and Caregivers To honor the service and sacrifice of Wounded Heroes from all eras and their often unseen Caregivers, Operation Gratitude provides custom Care Packages to acknowledge and thank each of them in a unique way. These Care Packages are delivered directly to their homes or given out at group events.

First Responders The delivery of Care Packages to hundreds of departments across the U.S. allows Operation Gratitude team members, volunteers, donors, and corporate partners to thank the local First Responders who honorably protect and serve their communities.

Operation Gratitude began as a grassroots movement to provide every American with the opportunity to say “thank you” to all who serve. Now a national nonprofit, Operation Gratitude has grown significantly to meet the military’s evolving needs, first responder, and healthcare heroes at the core of its mission. Volunteers remain the heart and soul of the organization. The millions of volunteers nationwide who take the time to contribute to a Care Package make a connection and an impact, as expressed in an email from a deployed soldier with the 82nd airborne last year, upon receiving Operation Gratitude Care Packages for his entire unit: “Thank you to all the Men, Women, and children for your hard work and words of encouragement. We appreciate you and will continue to keep our patriotic citizens safe and keep our spirits high. With this kind of support and appreciation, we can never fail to know that you all have our back when times get tough.”

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT

SERVICE

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COVID-19 Response On March 22, 2020, Operation Gratitude launched one of the most extensive coordinated efforts in the country to support the brave men and women on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the form of critically needed items and handwritten letters of appreciation, this support directly impacts their ability to serve and protect our communities and the citizens who rely on them. “As we have all seen recently, the world can turn upside down in a matter of days.

One thing that we can always count on during a crisis is our military and first responders on the frontlines,” said the CEO of Operation Gratitude, retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Schmiegel. “While they continue to serve, we will continue to support them.

Together, we will deliver millions of critically needed items and letters of appreciation globally to those who need it most.”

For more information, please visit us at www.operationgratitude.com or:

Solidarity of Service, a new podcast hosted

by Operation Gratitude CEO and Retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Schmiegel and the Chief Strategy and Operations Officer for NAMI, Retired Marine Chief Warrant Officer-2 Sherman Gillums, Jr is now available.

The show explores inspiring stories about community, connection, and service, featuring true American patriots from all walks of life. The inspiration for the Solidarity of Service came from the two friends’ conversations about their desire to help heal a divided nation and the power of

facebook.com/OperationGratitude twitter.com/OpGratitude linkedin.com/companies/operation-gratitude Instagram.com/opgratitude

service in uniting communities.

Visit www.operationgratitude.com or Search “Solidarity of Service” on your favorite Podcast App. WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / FEBRUARY 2022

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SDVM Spotlight

“We can rebuild America’s advanced

manufacturing workforce together; Workshops for Warriors will teach you how.”

- Keshia Javis-Jones

To my fellow veterans and those that are in transition, I am writing this to you so that you know you are not alone. Taking off the uniform is not easy. The civilian world is hard to navigate, but there are so many amazing opportunities available to you. I want to share my story and one organization that is there to support you in finding a sustainable career while still serving the Nation without combat boots on.

Living the struggle first-hand, I was determined to help my brothers and sisters in arms through their experience leaving the service. We all deserve a better transition and career path.

Three years ago, I had the honor to join the admissions team at Workshops for Warriors, a San Diego-based nonprofit that trains, certifies and helps place veterans and transitioning service members into advanced manufacturing careers. As Administrative Director of Education Programs, my staff and I are directly responsible for admissions and employment skills.

Editorial Spotlight

I was inspired to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps by my grandfather, an Army veteran who served honorably in WWII. I served for a total of 10 years, completing two combat tours – Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom – and was honored to have held the titles of Funeral Honors Coordinator, Female Search Team Advisor, and USMC Toys for Tots Coordinator.

When the time came to leave active duty I was a single mother, and despite all of the great skills and experience I gained during my time in the Marine Corps, I ended up working low-paying administrative jobs that lacked purpose. Supporting a family on minimum wage is daunting, and I discovered how challenging transitioning can really be.

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Workshops for Warriors’ talented team is made of driven and mission-focused veterans who dedicate themselves daily to providing veterans and transitioning service members with skills and credentials that lead to life-changing careers all over our Nation – in just four months. It starts when you apply for our Welding or CNC Machining programs on our website (wfw.org) and you have your first call with our admissions team. Like our Founder & CEO, Hernán Luis y Prado, a Navy combat veteran, you quickly realize that the people at Workshops for Warriors genuinely want to help.

We are all committed to getting you to the finish line where you will find yourself with nationally-recognized certifications and job offers that average $60,000* per year plus benefits. All of this in four intense months that only those who have served could conquer!

The comradery you felt in the military thrives in our halls.

The health and welfare of our students and their families is of utmost importance to us. If there is a challenge you face that might stop you from participating, please give us a call. We want to work with you to adapt and overcome any obstacles that may get in the way of your path to success.

Every day, I am proud to see us deliver on the big promises we make to our students. As I write this, more than 750 graduates are working in every state of our Nation. We can rebuild America’s advanced manufacturing workforce together; Workshops for Warriors will teach you how.

BEFORE SERVED HONORABLY.

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I look forward to the prospect of meeting you, assisting you in your admissions steps and boasting about your accomplishments.

Respectfully, Keshia Javis-Jones Marine Corps Veteran Administrative Director of Education Programs Workshops for Warriors Read some student stories and see videos about our program on our website at: www.wfw.org/videos

AFTER EARNED A CAREER IN JUST 4 MONTHS. ENROLL NOW AT WFW.ORG CAD/CAM Programming CNC Machining Welding DoD SkillBridge Organization

Workshops for Warriors provides veterans and transitioning service members with handson training and nationally-recognized credentials in CNC machining, CAD/CAM programming, and welding. Call us at (619) 550-1620.

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / FEBRUARY 2022

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San Diego Veterans Magazine

2022 Editorial Calendar & Themes San Diego Veterans Magazine has a fluid calendar, as we are adding features & collaborative “pay-it-forward” stories each month. * 2022- Added focus on community health - veteran organizations, education, transition & virtual support for active military and veterans to combat the challenge of transitioning due to the effects of COVID-19

Editorial Themes Include: • JANUARY

• JULY

Military & Veterans Life 2022 Health & Wellness 2022 Transition & New Year 2022

Independence Day Disabled Veterans

• FEBRUARY

Transition / Education Military Spouse & Family National Caregivers Day • MARCH

• AUGUST

Summer Issue Purple Heart Day Tribute To Service Dogs • SEPTEMBER

Women’s History Month Brain Injury Awareness Month

“Never Forget” 9/11 Gold Star Mother’s Day National Suicide Prevention Month

• APRIL

• OCTOBER

Month of the Military Child

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Transition Assistance Programs

• MAY

Memorial Day Issue Month of the Military Caregiver National Military Appreciation Month

• NOVEMBER

VETERANS DAY * (Bonus Issue) Fleet Week San Diego

• JUNE

• DECEMBER

PTSD Awareness Month Mental Health Programs

Holiday Issue / BEST of 2022 Wreaths Across America

Award Winning Monthly Columns Include:

• Transition to Civilian Life

• San Diego Community

- Careers, Entrepreneurship, Preparation, Skills, Resources, GI Bill/Education.

• Health & Wellness

- Veteran Organizations - Resources, Support - Events, Military History, Housing - VA Lending & Financial Services.

- Mental Health, Art & Healing, Caregivers, VA Benefits, Healthcare & Family Health, Health & Medical Clinical Trials.

- Legal Tips for Military and Veteran Business Owners, Family Law.

• Legal

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