An approved family plan was not working out for an active-duty soldier deployed in Iraq and father of two very young children. Feeling helpless all the way in Iraq, he sought answers. He contacted his family to help, but because of conditions out of their control, no one was able to take care of the children. A friend of the family had heard about the services offered by the National Home and referred him. After making a few calls, his prayers were answered and within days his children were placed in the safe care of loving child-care workers. After he completed his deployment, the father was able to reunite with his children.
If not for the National Home, what would this father do? The answer is unknown, but thankfully he was able to peacefully sleep at night knowing that his children were safe and in the care of the National Home. Upon joining the VFW, this father will be able to use the National Home’s services again, or even further down the road, his grandkids or great-grandkids will be eligible to receive services if ever the need arises.
EATON RAPIDS, Mich. — VFW Posts and Auxiliaries worldwide are celebrating VFW National Home for Children Awareness Week, March 23-29.
The National Home is a non-profit child-care agency in Michigan that helps children and families of America’s active-duty military and war veterans nationwide by providing a place to turn in troubled times.
The National Home’s traditional residential on-campus programs are designed to give veterans’ families an opportunity for a better life. Eligibility for these programs is based on the child(ren) having a living (or deceased) parent, grandparent or great-grandparent who is (or was) a VFW or Ladies Auxiliary member in good standing. Deployed military members’ children or their spouses with children, and veterans with a service-connected disability with their families may also be eligible.
Military and veteran families or their children may not need on-campus programs; however they seek supportive services in their own community. The National Home helps people with a variety of supportive services depending on what is needed. Sometimes it is simply connecting a family with services available in their own community. Other times, intensive case management support helps resolve pressing issues. Social workers at the National Home have an extensive knowledge of veterans’ services in addition to special connections to help the veteran community.
Active-duty military families, as well as families of veterans, very often find themselves in situations in which they need somewhere to turn for help. For example, a deployed servicemember who is also a single parent may place their child(ren) in the National Home’s residential program. During the time of deployment, this servicemember will rest assured knowing their children are receiving proper care while they are overseas. Upon returning to the United States, the family will be reunited.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars established the National Home in 1925 to care for the children and families of our nation’s veterans. Located on 629 acres in Eaton Rapids, the National Home stands today as a tribute to the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members who help support the facility and the families who call the National Home their home.
For more information, click here. If you need help, call the National Home Helpline at (800) 851-0238.