Minority Veterans of America

🌲 The competition is heating up in our Outdoor Recreation Challenge! 🔥 holds the top spot with 145 points and 🏳️‍🌈OUTdoors right behind at 100 points! Can you catch up? 👟💨 Don't forget, completing the outdoor recreation survey gives you a points boost! Head to https://bit.ly/MVAOutdoorSurvey to complete yours. This week, enjoy some stories from the activities folks have completed so far!

Activities can be logged until July 31st, so get out there and make sure you get in the competition for a chance to win epic prizes from our sponsors, !

Join the DC Minority Vets team for a fun and free night at the park as the Washington Nationals host a NATO Day game to kick off the NATO Summit! ⚾️🇺🇸 On July 8th at 4:05 PM, watch the Nationals take on the St. Louis Cardinals and enjoy a chance to see the First Lady! We have 50 tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis. Don't miss out—RSVP now! 👉 https://bit.ly/MVADCNationals

Two weeks into our Outdoor Recreation Challenge and we have some leaders beginning to emerge on our leaderboard! Can you catch up to or 🏳️‍🌈OUTdoors? You've still got time to get outside, log your activities for points, and win prizes from our partners at REI ! Don't forget, you can jumpstart your points by attending a listening session or taking the survey below. Activities can be logged until July 31st so don't delay!

Survey - https://bit.ly/MVAOutdoorSurvey

More information at https://www.minorityvets.org/nature

Minority Veterans of America, with the support of REI, is excited to bring you the Nurture in Nature Outdoor Recreation Listening Tour and Challenge. This program is designed to help minority veterans, service members, and their families connect with nature, share their experiences, and overcome barriers to outdoor access.

How to Participate
-Listening Sessions: Share your story and help us understand the barriers you face in accessing the outdoors.
-Outdoor Challenge: Embrace the outdoors, log your activities, and compete for exciting prizes. It’s a great way to stay active and enjoy nature.
-Survey: Complete the outdoor recreation survey to provide valuable feedback and insights

Nature’s healing power is profound, and every veteran deserves the chance to experience it. Join the Nurture in Nature initiative today and be part of a movement fighting for equity, inclusion, and access in the outdoors. Learn more at minorityvets.org/nature

#NurtureinNature Nature holds transformative powers that extend far beyond its scenic beauty, for minority veterans it can be a pathway toward healing, renewal, and personal growth after service. Outdoor activities not only facilitate the transition from military service to civilian life but also foster vital connec...

Calling all minority veterans, service members, and families! Share your story and experiences at the upcoming Minority Veterans of America outdoor recreation listening sessions. These sessions aim to gather a comprehensive understanding of the unique experiences and barriers our community faces when accessing the outdoors. All are welcome - whether you’re an avid outdoors person or you are a beginner in your outdoor journey!

Check out the schedule and join virtually or in person: minorityvets.org/nature

#NurtureinNature Nature holds transformative powers that extend far beyond its scenic beauty, for minority veterans it can be a pathway toward healing, renewal, and personal growth after service. Outdoor activities not only facilitate the transition from military service to civilian life but also foster vital connec...

The summer is here and it's time to get outside! This summer, explore the outdoors and join the Minority Veterans of America Nurture in Nature Outdoor Challenge sponsored by REI!

Whether it's hiking, biking, kayaking, or a peaceful walk in the park, get outside, log your activities, and earn points to win exciting prizes. Every activity you log earns you points. The more you get out there, the more points you collect!

Learn more and sign up here: https://minorityvets.my.canva.site/nature

An artificial intelligence (AI) program designed to prevent su***de among U.S. military veterans prioritizes white men and ignores survivors of sexual violence, which affects a far greater percentage of women, an investigation by The Fuller Project has found.

The algorithm, which the Department of Veterans Affairs uses to target assistance to patients “with the highest statistical risk for su***de,” considers 61 variables, documents show. It gives preference to veterans who are “divorced and male” and “widowed and male,” but not to any group of female veterans.

VA's Veteran Su***de Prevention Algorithm Favors Men An artificial intelligence (AI) program designed to prevent su***de among U.S. military veterans prioritizes white men and ignores survivors of sexual violence, which affects a far greater percentage of women, an investigation by The Fuller Project has found.

After Failing to Overturn VA Abortion, LGBTQ+ Policies, House Republicans Try Again with Must-Pass Bill

House Republicans were unsuccessful last year in attempting to use the annual Department of Veterans Affairs spending bill to overturn a raft of policies they disagree with, such as on abortion and transgender health care, but they are trying again this year.

In its first draft of the must-pass fiscal 2025 VA and military construction appropriations bill released Monday night, the GOP-led House Appropriations Committee revived provisions that would ban the VA from providing abortions in most cases, bar gender affirmation care and implicitly ban flying the LGBTQ+ pride flag at VA facilities.

After Failing to Overturn VA Abortion, LGBTQ+ Policies, House Republicans Try Again with Must-Pass Bill Kicking off the fiscal 2025 appropriations process with controversial policy riders sets the stage for a replay of the political showdown that caused fiscal 2024 funding to be approved nearly six months late.

'He Was Great Before He Came to Us': Air Force Leaders Speak at Funeral of Florida Airman Killed by Police

"We would love to take credit for making him great, but the truth is he was great before he came to us. The Air Force merely polished a diamond that you forged," Dierig said, acknowledging Fortson's family and mother in attendance at the funeral near Atlanta, Georgia.

The scene of a funeral for a Black man killed during an encounter with police is unfortunately familiar -- the latest in a series of such incidents that have rocked the country in recent years -- but the military connection and the attendance and participation by Air Force officials made the service an event without any recent precedent.

'He Was Great Before He Came to Us': Air Force Leaders Speak at Funeral of Florida Airman Killed by Police The military connection and the attendance and participation by Air Force officials made the service for Roger Fortson an event without any recent precedent.

Summer is upon us and it's the perfect time to get outside! If you're headed to a National Park this summer, be sure to pickup your America the Beautiful Lifetime Pass.

Ready to grab yours? Head to https://store.usgs.gov/MilitaryPass to get your pass online for a $10 fee or you can pick yours up in-person at any park site that issues passes!

Free Lifetime Passes to U.S. National Parks Members of the military, Veterans, and Gold-Star families are eligible for free park passes that provide access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas i...

Blue Star Families is looking for military and veteran families to lend their voice and story as part of their 2024 Campaign for Inclusion. If you service member of veteran who lives in or near Hill AFB, UT; Hampton Roads, VA; San Antonio, TX; or Fort Gregg-Adams, VA, take the survey today!

To participate, go to https://bit.ly/43F0tgv

We're back and hitting the road, headed for Denver as part of the Minority Vets Nurture in Nature Outdoor Recreation Listening Tour sponsored by ! Join us on May 18th and 19th for a community-building experience as we listen to the voices and stories of minority veterans and your experiences in the great outdoors.

May 18th, we'll kick off the weekend with a Community Hike + Meetup at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, followed by a post-hike gathering at Atrevida Beer Co.. Then, May 19th, join us for our community listening session at the Denver REI Flagship. We'll have food, drinks, and prizes, you just need to bring yourself!

Register for our events at bit.ly/NurtureInNatureEvents.

Round tables were an important part of the day for day on Capital Hill. Fascinating roundtable with the Servicewomen and Veterans Caucus, led by Rep Chissy Houlahan, including Mikie Sherrill, and Congresswoman Jen Kiggans today! Lorry Fenner did an outstanding job repping our MVA led Military Reform Coalition, advocating for thru smart policy! The MRC is a group of grassroots veterans and supportive organizations dedicated to and pushing for smart U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and US Dept. of Veteran's Affairs WTF policy to support survivors

The MCR team with U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren This was such a great moment in the day on Capitol Hill w/ the Military Reform Coalition led by Minority Veterans of America We’re a group of grassroots Vets and likeminded orgs dedicated to and pushing smart of Defence and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs policy

Ready to Rock! We are so proud of our team Minority Veterans of America was on the Hill this week with the Military Reform Coalition for Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month. MCR is a group of grassroots Vets and like minded orgs dedicated to . And pushing smart United States Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs policy. We met w/members + staff to raise awareness for the issue of sexual assault and harassment in the military and the need to support survivors, including w/contraceptive access w/o a copay.

Team is proudly hitting the Hill this week as part of the Military Reform Coalition for . We're meeting with members and their staff to raise awareness for the pervasive issue of sexual assault and harassment in the military and the need to better support survivors, including with access to contraceptives without a copay.

The MRC is a group of grassroots veterans and supportive organizations dedicated to and pushing for smart and policy to support survivors and includes , , , , and more.

Happening now -

Melissa Bryant, Chair of MVA's Board of Directors, provides testimony to the House Veterans Affairs Committee's Health Subcommittee on H.R. 3303, the Maternal Health for Veterans Act.

Catch the hearing here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bURaMAxuyZw

The non-profit RAND Corporation is conducting online focus groups with prior service members discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell or similar policies to try to improve the Review Board process for correcting military records.

Learn more and register: https://respond.rand.org/wix/2/p868327337022.aspx

We're proud to have worked with Yale Law School's Veterans Legal Services Clinic to bring this issue to the forefront and advance a petition for rulemaking with 13 co-petitioners. Minority veterans continue to experience discrimination in VA healthcare with fewer protections than their civilian counterparts using federal healthcare programs. Veterans deserve the anti-discrimination protections promised in the Affordable Care Act over a decade ago. We thank the lawmakers pushing to ensure VA honors their duty and issues stronger protections for veterans in VA healthcare.

Lawmakers press VA for stronger rules against discrimination Congressional Democrats and outside advocates say updated policies for the department are long overdue.

We're back for a 6th year in partnership with for our annual events and we'll be out in cities around the country between December 2nd and 17th. Whether you join one of our meetups or create your own outdoor magic in your local area, we hope you will join us in choosing connection in the outdoors over time spent in stores! Here's where you can find us this year ->

-Washington, DC - Saturday, Dec. 2nd, 12 pm, Tidal Basin Loop Trail (meet at MLK Memorial)
-Denver, CO - Sunday, Dec. 3rd, 12pm, REI Flagship to Platte River Trail
-Atlanta, GA - Sunday, Dec. 3rd, 9am, Peckerson Park Disc Golf Course
-Chicago, IL - Sunday, Dec. 17th, 4pm, Chicago Botanic Gardens

Join us for one of our events and win some of our awesome gear while supplies last! Register for any of our events at https://bit.ly/oomva23

Bonus, we'll be in Atlanta at the Team RWB Firebase on Saturday, Dec. 2nd from 11am-2pm for our Nurture in Nature Listening Tour, join us and RSVP at https://nurtureinnatureatl.eventbrite.com

, Nurture in Nature, and Last Chance Winter Wish - https://mailchi.mp/minorityvets/optoutside-with-mva-13912170

We’re spending our time today with outside and helping others do the same. Join us in spending time, not money, this Black Friday and take just 60 seconds to support the Outdoors for All Act.

But what does the act do, you may ask? The act is an effort to close the nature gap so everyone in America is closer to parks, playgrounds, trails, green spaces and more. Here are a few of the ways the act will expand access to outside spaces

-Developing new and improving existing parks and outdoor rec facilities
-Creating employment and job training opportunities for underserved youths
-Prioritizing projects that serve urban, underserved, and low-income communities
nationwide.

Together, we can help get everyone in America closer to public parks and outdoor recreation areas. Go to https://rei.com/action/network/outdoors-for-all for more information.

Last week, Minority Veterans of America was honored to be recognized with the Veterans Justice Award by the The Connecticut Veterans Legal Center! It was an privilege to join other honorees, Jason DeViva and Cindy Johnson, at the 14th Annual Saluting Service. This event celebrates those making a difference in the lives of Connecticut veterans and raises crucial funds for free legal services. A heartfelt thank you to CVLC for this recognition and to everyone who supports our mission.

We're grateful for the opportunity to continue to make a positive impact on the lives of minority veterans across the country.

📣 Attention all followers! 📣

🌟🙌 We need your help to complete our surveys and reach our goal of $10,000! 🏆

📲Text "IMPACT" to 90412

Join us on this radical mission to build an inclusive community. Together, we can make a difference! 💫🌍✨

Let's keep growing together! 🌱📈💚 Leave your BEST emoji in the chat to let us know we can count on your support.

🚀🤝🌟

This Veterans Day, let's go beyond gratitude and honor the service of our veterans with meaningful actions! Join us in supporting organizations like Minority Vets and others working tirelessly for service members, veterans, and their families. Your time, talent, and treasures can make a significant impact. Let's stand together in appreciation for those who defended our nation.

📢 HAPPENING NOW - Our annual fundraising campaign in partnership with HundredX Cause with a goal to raise $10,000 without our team, members, or supporters spending a single dollar out of pocket.

⭐Here's how it works -
1️⃣Supporters sign up to participate using one of the following methods -
-- Text "Impact" to 90412
-- Sign up directly on the HundredX site at https://hundredx.com/impactwithfeedback
2️⃣Select the team you are submitting feedback on behalf to have it count toward your team total.
-- Participation is open to anyone you are connected to and would like to recruit. Please SHARE this Post far & wide.
3️⃣ Each person can complete up to 75 surveys (2-3 per day) between Nov. 6 and Dec. 5
✅ That's it! Easy!
🎯Our goal is to raise $10,000 which means we need 67 people to max out or a larger number of folks to complete a smaller number.

🚨If Everyone is wondering why we're doing this, the answer is a few reasons:
- 1) the obvious is to raise funds for the organization to allow us to continue our critical work;
- 2) to empower our community to give time and have it result in donations. Giving is often a barrier for folks who live without a ton of extra funds and this is an annual opportunity to give in a different way; and
- 3) to raise awareness of who we are and what we're fighting for.
🙏
We hope through this challenge that we'll start to reach folks who we wouldn't otherwise reach.
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So Let's Goooooooo!

This November, we celebrate Native American Heritage Month by highlighting the incredible contributions of Indigenous veterans throughout history. Their stories are woven into the rich tapestry of American service and sacrifice. In spite of deep complexities around service, American Indians and Alaska Natives have answered the call at one of the highest rates per capita and have served in every major war and conflict in American history. These powerful narratives are just a glimpse into the millions of Indigenous veterans who have shaped the narrative of the American service member and veteran.