How does being a VMFC benefit you and your congregation?
- Provides a wonderful opportunity for community outreach
- Potential for growing and STRENGTHENING the congregation
- Levels the playing field across population and economic status through access to resources
- Minimal financial impact on congregations
- Majority of programs are free to organize and implement
- Cost only occurs with additional amenities such as food and beverage
- Develop and strengthen relationships within the congregation and community
Becoming a VMFC helps the Veteran/Military community in many ways.
- Finding, honoring and recognizing Veterans for their service
- Ensuring they receive the benefits they want and need
- Provide better quality of life for our country’s Veterans through sharing of information and resources
- Teach, inform, and increase awareness to Veteran population of resources
- Many times we find hurting Veterans through our congregations that need help
Conclusion
Multiple government institutions have identified the great impact of faith-based communities on overcoming systemic issues like suicide
- Becoming a VMFC aides the Veteran community through recognition, education, and building strong faith-centered relationships
- Becoming a VMFC aides the congregation by strengthening the community, improving the quality of life of members, potential for congregation growth, and providing an opportunity for outreach
- Being a VMFC congregation can be a simple as remembering active, retired and veteran members of the congregation on Veterans Day and Service Anniversaries, and remembering congregants who have died on Memorial Day, up thru and including a robust outreach to let them know their VA benefits, hosting Veterans Courts and hosting court expungement hearings.
- We’ve seen many lives saved and improved through the networks established by our faith-based community!