VETERAN RESOURCES Happiest Place On Earth

THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH Meet Tiffany Morales, the 4-1-1 for Jacksonville Veterans

Interview by Joe Snowberger Retired Navy Mustang

In 2020, Tiffany Morales joined the robust staff at the City of Jacksonville’s Military and Veterans Affairs Department(MAVD) as the Veterans Outreach Coordinator. After running into her at every single Veteran-related event in Duval County for the past few months, Liberty Life thought we would get to know her. Here is what we found out.

LLM: Where are you from?

I’m proud to say I’m from the most Military and Veteran friendly city in the country – right here in Jacksonville, FL. I went to Bishop Kinney - Go Crusaders!

LLM: How is it to work in City Hall everyday?

I LOVE working Downtown and in City Hall! Jacksonville is a beautiful city, and it has changed so much from when I was growing up here. The best part about working in City Hall is that there is so much to do that is within walking distance. I love having lunch in James Weldon Park with the live music and all the restaurants have such good food.

LLM: What does the Veterans Outreach Coordinator do?

My primary task is to let our Veterans know about services available to them. I do this by talking to various groups about our service.

I attend job/career fairs, coordinate events such as the Homeless Veterans Stand Down, Military Spouses Night Out and events during the Celebration of Valor. I also produce a monthly newsletter that includes many events and resources available to our Veterans throughout Jacksonville.

LLM: Sounds like you are 4-1-1 for Duval’s Veterans.

I really enjoy interacting with our Veterans and keeping them informed of everything that is available to them, especially making them aware of additional resources that they may not know are available to them.

I love all aspects of my job, but I think the one part that I love the most is planning the events for our Veterans. It’s a great feeling to be able to give back to that population that has given so much to our country.

I am really looking forward to putting together the Military Spouses Night Out. It’s an evening of pampering and fun for the spouses. The Military members serve and their families serve too. They deserve a night out full of fun and good times.

LLM: What does the MAVD (Military and Veterans Affairs Department) do?

The MAVD does so MANY things! They advocate for our Veterans and our Military in so many ways and provide many resources. Our VSOs (Veteran Service Officers) file benefit claims for Veterans and they can answer any questions about a Veteran’s benefits.

Twice a week (Mondays and Wednesdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.) Career Source is in our office in City Hall helping our Veterans with their resumes. Three Rivers Legal Services provides free legal help once a month. The VSSs (Veteran Social Service Officers) help our Veterans with rent or utility payments. During tax season, MAVD provides free tax services.

The MAVD is also home to the Jacksonville Resource Homeless Veterans Reintegration Center which is sponsored by the Jacksonville Jaguars. This is a one stop shop that helps Veterans with financial needs, career support and legal services.

These are just a few of the resources the MAVD can provide to Duval County Veterans and the best part is that they are all free! Veterans should never pay for these services as they are already paid for through tax dollars.

To-date the MAVD has served more than 10,000 Veterans and has generated $27 MILLION in new money, yearly.

MAVD also advocates at the federal level for DoD investment in Jacksonville. As a result, that partnership has protected over 1500 acres around area military bases from encroachment by purchasing the development rights.

LLM: What do most folks not realize about the MAVD?

I think that what most people do not realize is the impact the MAVD has on people’s lives. First, the VSO, VSS and Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) folks genuinely care about our Veterans. They go the extra mile to help them. This has a huge impact on not only the Veterans physical life, but also, I feel, eases their mental stress.”

“By their “physical life”, I mean that I have seen Veterans, who were receiving the minimal amount of their eligible benefits, begin receiving more of their earned benefits that the Veteran didn’t know they qualified for. This is all because our VSOs look into ALL benefits available for that Veteran.

Veterans have gone from being homeless and jobless to having a roof over their head and a steady job. That has such a positive impact on them and our community! The MAVD will go above and beyond to find all benefits that they are due.

LLM: What did I miss?

Working for the Military Affairs and Veterans Department is the best thing that could have happened to me. It’s like my own Disney World - the happiest place on earth. Harrison Conyers is a fantastic supervisor and I look forward to coming to work every day, always something different.

On Base Snapshot

The Navy Welcomes It’s New Chiefs

NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith poses for a photo with Chief Culinary Specialist Thaddeus Dorsey during a chief petty officer pinning ceremony on board Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Winston Churchill (DDG 81) on Nov. 19, 2021 at Naval Station Mayport, Florida.

MCPON Smith visited the Winston Churchill and Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS St. Louis (LCS 19) to participate in the final capstone of events of the chief petty officer season, a culmination of a demanding professional training regiment to prepare Sailors for the increased responsibility and authority of carrying out the Navy’s mission. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Aaron Lau/ Released)

9401 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225

36 monthly payments of $179 with $2,799 due at signing with approved credit through KMF. No security deposit required. Not all buyers will qualify. Purchase option at lease-end for offer shown of rsidual value of $12,556.25. Lessee is responsible for insurance, maintenance, repairs, $.20 per mile over 10,000 miles/year, excess wear, and a $400 termination fee. :ease offer applies t Forte (MSRP $20,585, includes freight, and excludes taxes, title, license, additional options and retailer charges). Price is plus tax, tag, title, registration, any dealer-installed accessories, and a predelivery service fee of $999. Private Tag Agency Fee of $184, and Electronic Registration Filing Fee of $199, which charges represent costs and profi ts to the dealer for items such as inspecting, cleaning, and adjusting vehicles and preparing documents related to the sale. Pricing is inclusive of all applicable manufacturer incentives and may not be combined with other exclusive offers. See dealer for details. Expires 1/3/2022.

2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED 1LT 2015 KIA OPTIMA LX 2017 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1.8T CLASSIC 2018 KIA OPTIMA LX

6128327B

$11,990

2014 CADILLAC CTS 2.0L TURBO

7155767A

$12,590

2012 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT

7153530A

LOW MILES !

$19,990

2020 HYUNDAI TUCSON VALUE

G120685A

$20,590

2021 TOYOTA COROLLA LE

0196479

LOW MILES, LOADED!

$21,990

2018 MAZDA CX-5 TOURING

7157386C

LOW MILES!

$23,990

2015 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED SPORT

U121749

$25,990

2020 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS

P183494

$25,990

2020 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED SAHARA

G236181A

$26,990

N877485A

LOW MILES !

$29,890

0115559

$45,891

W119859

$49,991 904-694-3049