THE VETERANS COMMUNITY MEDIA NETWORK

The veteran needs to be educated about their benefits and resources. Staying in the know about the latest developments, laws and programs designed for them, they can be proactive about how these changes/improvements impact them and their families. This takes community support. Support in the form of a resource center; a one-stop shop for the veteran and their family. Our programs and services have been expanded and enhanced to reflect a self-sufficiency model. Under this model, TVCMN can serve all veterans, older and those just out of the service. Oakland, Ca, has a high rate of vets that aren’t aware of their benefits as well as those who have pursued their benefits with little or no success. This leads to losses of income, housing and access to healthcare. TVCMN can train the vet to go onto the computer, set up accounts on the E-Benefits portal, monitor claims, health concerns, jobs and housing. This approach builds confidence in their ability to manage their affairs as well as have community support while doing so. For the veteran, knowing that they are NOT forgotten, when they’ve laid their lives on the line, is invaluable. This philosophy grew out of a personal situation from the director and founder of TVCMN, who, back in 2004, was out of work and homeless, waited 8 years for the VA to help her obtain her benefits. She vowed that this would not happen to another veteran.

1. Every other month townhall meetings with representatives from every possible Veteran agency; government to private industry.
2. Creating a complete social media platform to help get the word out and connect with other vets.
3. Creating a 30 minute TV show on local community channels shown at least twice a month: showcasing local vets, news, and grassroots efforts for veterans.
4, A vigorous membership drive
5. Developing a street team approach to finding veterans living in the ever growing homeless encampments. By finding where they are, what they need, and with the proper training and support of other organizations, we can affect change.
6. Development of a STRONG walk in program. TVCMN needs to let vets know that we are right here in their community! Some vets are intimidated by going to the state or federal offices to get information because of the security procedures, etc. Our goal is to have representatives from these different agencies, including advocacy groups, (DAV. VFW. AmVETS) come to our offices twice a month for outreach. Vets can feel more comfortable meeting them one on one. If there is a need for the vet to eventually go to the federal offices, TVCMN's intake workers can possibly accompany them to the offices.
7. There is always a need for a robust Board of Directors and members. For 2020, TVCMN's main goal is to create a TOOLBOX approach for our BOD. This includes key personnel in the areas of, but not limited to: compliance, mental health, finance, social services, fundraising and law. Expertise in these areas can cover many areas of veterans concerns.
8, TVCMN wants to host a twice yearly STAND DOWN for Oakland. Oakland veterans seem likely to not take advantage of their benefits; particularly the older veterans (Vietnam, Korea and some WWII). It would be a weekend event in a large venue providing services, everything from housing, health, education, and employment to haircuts, clothing, dental work, expunging of negative records and disability claims processing.