The Military Family Research Institute (MFRI) has been named a Community Blueprint Community by Points of Light Foundation and the HandsOn Network, Currently, less than 20 Community Blueprint Communities exist nationwide.
Points of Light Foundation is an independent, nonpartisan organization that encourages volunteerism and civic engagement; the HandsOn Network, an enterprise of Points of Light, is network of volunteer action centers across the country and worldwide. The designation includes an award that will provide five AmeriCorps VISTA members to support the Community Blueprint Corps initiative, a national service program that brings together individuals and organizations to addresses common challenges faced by veterans and their families.
Americorps members will work with MFRI’s Outreach and Operation Diploma teams to impact veterans, community members, businesses and other organizations within Indiana. The goal is to increase community collaboration and engagement related to veterans and military families as well as work to increase veterans’ job readiness support. Specifically, members will support the Indiana National Guard, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), the U.S. Small Business Administration and others in efforts to help veterans return to the workforce. Strategies might include career readiness training, career workshops and job fairs, as well as promoting veteran-specific behavioral health training and services, community service projects, and military appreciation and recognition events.
“We are thrilled to receive this designation and award,” says Kathy Broniarczyk, director of outreach at MFRI. “As the AmeriCorps VISTA members work with community mobilization networks MFRI has established in Indiana, our goal is to improve support for veterans and increase the number of veterans served.”
Indiana is home to more than a half million veterans, with an additional 15,000 reserve component members serving since 9/11. Nationwide, more than one million service members are expected to leave the military between 2011 and 2016 and seek employment in a challenging job market. Indiana communities have recognized the availability of employment for veterans as a top challenge. In 2011, unemployment for Indiana veterans ages 18 to 24 was as high as 35.6 percent, compared to 17.6 percent of civilians of the same age.
“Members of the military, veterans and their families face some real challenges,” said Broniarczyk. “This grant has the ability to strengthen collaborations within our state, which in turn can make a difference to those who have selflessly served for us.”