David Rubright, who is the Workforce Education Coordinator for the Lehigh Career & Technical Institute (LCTI), will speak on the topic of “Veterans, Employment and the Realities of the Business World” at our upcoming LVMAC Council meeting on 17 September. See home page for location and time. ### As of Read more…
Our Team Leader, Robin Carmody, is now recruiting readers for the coming school year. It is a simple mission. The word on the street is that this program has been well received as a pilot project. Now we are trying to expand this program, starting with the Bethlehem School District. The kids are are truly interested and appreciative, as are the teachers. See flyer below for details. (more…)
As previously announced at our Council Meetings, Rolling Thunder’s PA Chapter 8 (a member organization) has taken charge of our Visitation Program. They have been tasked to increase the number of organizations participating and, as importantly, the number of long-term care facilities in the Lehigh Valley visited. Already this spirited organization is well on its way. (more…)
We’re being required to move to make way for a new parking deck, as Allentown responds to the revitalization of city center. Not a bad thing all told though we liked our old digs at 39 S. Sixth St. for its parking convenience. We’re moving to 640 Hamilton Street, Suite Read more…
As a result of discussions within our newly formed Lehigh Valley Homeless Veterans Action Committee (LVHVAC) about the loss of the local Red Cross’ Valley Wide Helpline, which had been a valuable resource to the local social services community, and because it considers a common telephone resource line for homeless and near-homeless veterans and their families an essential service, LVMAC invited Toni McCuistion, Director for PA 2-1-1 East, United Way of Lancaster, to speak on the topic of “2-1-1 Service in the Lehigh Valley, How It Can Help Veterans, How You Can Help It” at its March 19 Council business meeting. (more…)
Healthcare Providers Seek to Identify Veterans to Improve Their CareLEHIGH VALLEY, PA; November 6, 2013 – An alliance of every hospital in the Lehigh Valley, created by the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC) in 2011, is announcing an initiative to identify veterans during the hospital registration process. Much in the same way patients are asked if they feel safe in their home, all adult patients soon will be asked whether they are a veteran. Completion is targeted for 31 March 2014. (more…)
Debra Cummins, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Lehigh Valley (HFHLV), an LVMAC member, and her Program Development Director, Thomas Mohr, a veteran, addressed the Council at its 17 March 2013 business meeting on its desire to recruit veterans as volunteers.
She said, “Habitat for Humanity International, the parent organization, has a global vision of everyone having a decent place to live. And Habitat has been in the Lehigh Valley since 1989 improving lives, seeking to put God’s love into action by bringing people together, for it is an ecumenical movement.” She emphasized the organization will work with and provide homes regardless of a person’s religious persuasion. (more…)
Pending Payday Lending Legislation: A Debt Trap for Military Veterans
General Announcements
Homelessness
Scholarship Program
Community Educational Outreach
PTSD Booklet for Families
Healthcare in Our Community
Veterans Supportive Colleges Initiative
DoD/VA News
Go to the Forward Observer article on payday lending to read what Kerry Smith told the Council at its 20 March business meeting. (more…)
In This Issue
MR. BABB TALKS ABOUT THE VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT ROUNDTABLE
David Babb, a historian and interviewer for the Lehigh Valley Veterans History Project Roundtable, a member organization, spoke to the Council at its business meeting on 17 January 2013.
His organization was formed in 2007 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization two capture the stories of all wartime veterans and also those who served on the home front. It collects documents and preserves their personal experiences and then shares those stories with both the public and the Library of Congress. To date about 200 interviews have been done. (more…)
WILKES-BARRE VA MEDICAL CENTER SAYS IT IS PAYING MORE ATTENTION TO MENTAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY
Dr. Aruna Bhatia, Chief of Mental/Behavioral Health Services spoke to the Council at its business meeting on 19 December on the advances in care by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In an honest and straightforward talk, she stated there has been a focus on mental health over the last decade and a lot of work done in recovery, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and suicide prevention, albeit with some stumbling along the way. (more…)