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For Veterans' Families

Gold Star Wives of America

The Gold Star Wives of America is a service organization comprised of:

  • The widows/widowers whose spouses died while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, or as result of service-connected disabilities.

  • The widows/widowers of service personnel of all armed conflicts involving the United States of America.

  • The mothers and fathers of children whose parents gave their life in the service of the country.

  • The widows/widowers of service personnel of all ranks, races, and creeds.

Website: https://www.goldstarwives.org/

Find a Chapter: https://www.goldstarwives.org/Regions-&-Chapters

Blue Star Mothers of America

The Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. is a non-partisan, non-political, non-sectarian organization. We do not support any political candidate nor do we endorse any religious organization. The military represents all aspects of America as does our organization. Links to our website do not represent an endorsement. We are a 501(c)3 Organization.

We are mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers and female legal guardians who have children serving in the military, guard or reserves, or children who are veterans. We support each other and our children while promoting patriotism. Our organization focuses on our mission every single day and will never, ever, forsake our troops, our veterans or the families of our Fallen Heroes.

Website: https://www.bluestarmothers.org/

Locate a Chapter: https://www.bluestarmothers.org/locate-a-chapter-2

Army Community Services

Army Community Service (ACS) equips people with the skills and education they need to face the challenges of military life today and tomorrow. Think of ACS when deploying or relocating, needing information and referrals, needing financial assistance, employment services, or for crisis and family assistance.

ACS programs offers real-life solutions for soldiers and their families. Your ACS equips people with the skills and education they need to face the challenges of military life today and tomorrow. Think of ACS when deploying or relocating, needing information and referrals, needing financial assistance, employment services, or for crisis and family assistance.

Website: Check your local base directory.

Airman and Family Readiness Centers

Taking care of families is an important part of quality of life for Airmen. The programs highlighted below are intended to enhance morale and quality of life for Airmen and their families. On these web pages spouses will find information on resources to help them adapt to Air Force Life.

Website: Service-wide   and  Check your local base directory.

Fleet and Family Support Centers

The Navy's Family Readiness programs have been afforded the highest visibility, advocacy and priority. In practical terms, this has resulted in increased services to family members, increased individual assistance and consultation, more varied educational programs, more proactive outreach, and delivery of family support services in locations most conducive to family member engagement. Navy Fleet and Family Support Program (FFSP) is organized into three functional areas critical to mission success:  

  • Core Family Success

  • Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program

  • Navy Gold Star Program

Website: Fleet and Family Support Program  and  Check your local base directory.

Coast Guard Work Life Programs

The Coast Guard's Work-Life Program is managed by the Office of Work-Life, a Headquarters program manager staff within the Health, Safety and Work-Life Directorate, reporting to the Assistant Commandant for Human Resources. This staff is responsible for establishing, developing and promulgating Work-Life policy and interpreting program standards for Coast Guard-wide implementation. The overall objective is to support the well-being of active duty, reserve and civilian employees and family members.

Website: USCG Office of Work-Life Programs  and  Check your local base directory.

Marine Corps Readiness Centers

The Unit, Personal and Family Readiness Program (UPFRP) is a unit centric program, guided by a Command Team that reinforces the relationship between the unit and the services relevant to the unit, the unit members, and their families.  The primary goal of UPFRP is to empower Marines and family members, providing them the opportunities to not just survive but to thrive while taking on the challenges of the military lifestyle.  The Family Readiness Officer (FRO) is responsible for implementing the Commander’s family readiness vision, managing the UPFRP, and providing the necessary support to the unit Marines, Sailors and families to maintain a constant state of family readiness.

Website: Marine Corps UPFRP site   and  Check your local base directory.

National Guard Family Assistance Centers

Family Assistance Centers provide a variety of referral based services to geographically-dispersed families and retirees from all military components. Services include, but are not limited to, ID cards and Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) enrollment, TRICARE and military medical benefits education, emergency financial services, legal information & referral, crisis intervention and referral, and community information and referral.

Website: National Guard Family Program site  and  Check your local base directory.

Find a Family Assistance Center near you: https://www.jointservicessupport.org/spn

Operation We are Here

If you are visiting this site to find ideas to encourage a neighbor, a friend, a family member, co-worker or someone at your church who is going through the hardship of a deployed spouse,  thank you for caring.

There are other factors that make each deployment unique. The Soldier may leave behind a girlfriend, a fiance, a spouse, younger children, older children, grandchildren, parents. Sometimes the spouse left behind is the husband, and sometimes both spouses are deployed. The family may have health issues to deal with in addition to coping with the deployment. That's why at Operation We are Here I have done my best to include a variety of stories.

 

NOTE: This page has resource links.

 

Website: http://www.operationwearehere.com/PTSD.html

Email:  opwearehere@gmail.com

Veterans Home-Buying Guide

Our Veterans Guide to Saving on Housing Costs walks readers through the many ways they can save throughout homebuying process (not just through the VA loan). I thought this would be a perfect companion to the other article on your page to further support veterans in civilian life.

Website: https://www.reviews.com/blog/veterans-home-buying-guide/

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Mesothelioma/Asbestos Resources

Mesothelioma Justice Network is dedicated to improving the overall quality of life for individuals diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. 
Our pages are medically reviewed and verified by certified oncologists and hematologists, and provide the most current and detailed information about the asbestos industry and its health impacts. This site focuses on Mesothelioma Prognosis.
Website:  https://www.asbestos.net/mesothelioma/prognosis/

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Mesothelioma.net, one of the most comprehensive online resources on mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure that effects the lining of the lungs. About 30% of all mesothelioma victims are Veterans, usually being exposed aboard asbestos laden Navy ships. Mesothelioma.net has a plethora of free resources and information for those suffering from mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos diseases. Some of the topics we cover are treatment options, financial assistance, and help for families of asbestos victims.

Website:  https://mesothelioma.net/mesothelioma-asbestos-trust-funds/

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Simmons Firm. Our veterans may suffer serious health problems as a result of their service, including addiction, depression and physical health. In knowing so, Simmons Hanly Conroy has created a dedicated resource page to provide information on resources that help support our heroes. 

Website: https://www.simmonsfirm.com/mesothelioma/veterans/healthcare-resources/

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Mesothelioma Hub. A diagnosis of mesothelioma increases a person’s suicide risk by approximately 450 percent. It’s important for friends and family of sick loved ones to know and recognize the warnings signs of suicide, so together, we can help prevent these deaths.

Website: https://www.mesotheliomahub.com/mesothelioma/patient-resources/suicide/

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Mesothelioma Center. Veterans who served in certain military occupations between 1930 and 1980 have a high risk of developing mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. Veterans account for 30% of the estimated 3,000 mesothelioma cases diagnosed annually. Veterans who develop mesothelioma because of military asbestos exposure can file for VA benefits. https://www.asbestos.com/veterans/

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Nursing Home Issues

Nursing Home Abuse Justice was founded to expose the widespread abuse and neglect that occurs in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Some statistics indicate that as many as 1 in 3 senior residents have been victims of nursing home abuse. Our mission is to educate seniors and their loved ones of these horrors so that we can work together to stop the cycle of abuse harming our seniors. 

Website: Nursing Home Abuse Justice - Exposing Nursing Home Abuse

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Legal Resources for Disabled Veterans

Resources available in this guide for disabled Veterans: https://www.legalfinders.com/disabled-veterans-guide/

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