Explanation and Links for "At Ease" ProgramPresentation at teleconference on May 18, 2011Located in Bellevue. Started by private citizen who saw a glowing need for mental health and family services. She did research and outreach getting the Lutheran Family Services involved. From there the program grew. This is a great example where the power of one can make a difference.
It was important as this program evolved, that no one would be denied services through at ease due to inability to pay. Today we have a continued growing network of clinical and volunteer health services. As the first Lady spoke earlier, the important step is to speak out and get connected. Through speaking out to groups, we have had many volunteers.
Programs like "At Ease" and "Joining Forces" can connect and use those gifts harmoniously. Congregations, are seen as safe and trusted places within a neighborhood. Places where congregations can be intentional about building relationships with veteran families. Whether or not the families are members of that particular community of faith, that does not matter. Long before a veteran or family member may use a clinical program like at ease, it is important to build a trusted relationship. It is important to help in family needs like child care, transportation and emotional support. These things when they get out of control can lead to more intense clinical problems. At ease is really excited to be working with a retired military chaplain, Colonel Jeffery Swanson to develop and fund an active outreach across Nebraska.
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Links to Lutheran programs for VeteransCare for Returning Veterans ECLA created a day long workshop designed for all congregation and others to provide a welcoming, supporting and healing ministry/environment for returning military veterans and their families. At the link above you will find:
Operation Barnabus "National network of care in which members are equipped and encouraged to reach out to their Chaplains, military personnel and veterans in their congregations and their communities. They have a special emphasis on the Guard and Reservist Community within their program."
When the community goes that extra step as in Barnabas outreach, real change happens, our military and their family's know they are cared for and supported:
"Welcome them home, Help them Heal" - Wheatridge Ministries
300 member Lutheran services of America
At ease www.lutheranservices.org We need to help congregations about military and their families How well do you know the person next to you?Too often in our efforts to reach the obvious, we miss the quiet souls that need our support and love as their loved ones serve or suffer from the wages of war. How can we as individuals and as congregations help the families and friends of our deployed military? The following are a few responses that came from a congregation that was surveyed:
What will I learn in a military ministry workshop? |