Joining Forces with Faith and Community Leaders- Conference Call

3:30 PM Eastern, Wednesday, May 18, 2011

In keeping with our commitment to care for our service men and women, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden invited BIAOH to attend the beginning of the Joining Forces Initiative. Joining Forces is a comprehensive national initiative to mobilize all sectors of society to give our service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned.

On May 18th, Over 1,800 faith and community leaders from across the country gathered to discuss Joining Forces, an initiative started by the First Lady and Dr. Biden to support our nation's military families. The call focused on how congregations and community groups can give back, and several faith leaders shared their ongoing work to support military families and veterans.

The purpose of Joining Forces, the First Lady noted, is to lift up and share that good work, and to invite others to join, expand or initiate efforts to support military families. Leading up to Memorial Day weekend, the First Lady and Joshua DuBois, director of the White House Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnership Office, mentioned several specific ways that faith and community groups can get involved in Joining Forces. Mrs. Obama pointed out you don't necessarily have to be an expert in military family issues to make a difference, highlighting some of the ways community leaders can give back:

You can build on what you already do best, whether it’s family counseling programs that you already have. Maybe you have a youth ministry or a career mentoring program that’s already in existence. And you can work and ensure that you’re helping families in your congregations and in your communities.

Ensure that existing ministries and services are accessible to military families and veterans.
Start a new ministry or service for military families or veterans, or partner with an existing program in your community.
Coordinate a once-a-year fair, an event or some kind of service activity that’s focused on military families.
Help raise awareness about the issues and challenges that military families and veterans face, as well as their service and strengths that some of their neighbors may not fully be aware of.

Speakers on the call shared eloquently about the practical ways that congregations can partner with existing efforts, replicate successful programs, or ensure that their own programs reach military families and veterans in their community. Candy Hill with Catholic Charities USA, discussed the work of her local parish to help military families who had an injured family member. Chaplain Colonel William Sean Lee with the Maryland National Guard talked about the Partners in Care initiative which coordinates support for Maryland National Guard members during times of crisis or need. We look forward to sharing more stories about the work faith and community leaders are doing around the country to support military families.

So many faith-based and community organizations are already supporting military families and veterans in countless sways. Everyone can do something. Connect your strengths and assets to help support military families.

Read remarks by the First Lady during Joining Forces Faith Leaders Call by clicking here

Information from http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/05/19/first-lady-michelle-obama-talks-faith-and-community-leaders-about-joining-forces.