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Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs

Friday Digest: May 9, 2025



This week:

* Work at MDVA [ #link_1 ]
* Memorial Day Programs at State Veterans Cemeteries [ #link_17 ]
* A Legacy of Service: Minnesota Veterans Homes Week, May 11-17 [ #link_18 ]
* Minnesota Military Radio - Tune in this Weekend [ #link_10 ]
* May is Mental Health Month [ #link_8 ]
* Veterans Town Hall Meeting - Brainerd, May 13 [ #link_14 ]
* Native American Veteran Resource Fair, May 15 [ #link_3 ]
* 19th Annual Veterans Career Fair, May 21 [ #link_6 ]
* Bravo Zulu House Grand Opening, May 28 [ #link_15 ]
* Veterans Painting Classes at St. Thomas, June 9 - 14 [ #link_2 ]
* Mental Health First Aid Training, June 25 [ #link_16 ]
* National Veterans Wheelchair Games: Volunteers Needed [ #link_11 ]
* You may be Eligible for Additional USDVA Educational Benefits! [ #link_4 ]
* Beware: Claim Predators Want to Prey on Your Benefits [ #link_13 ]
* The PACT Act and Your VA Benefits [ #link_9 ]
* 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline [ #link_12 ]
* Submit Your Veteran-Related Event [ #link_7 ]

Work at MDVA

If you are interested in speaking to a member of our Human Resources team regarding employment opportunities with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, fill out our Job Interest Form [ [link removed] ] to be contacted about available opportunities.

Bemidji

* Human Services Technician/Certified Nursing Assistant, part-time [ [link removed] ]
(multiple openings, application deadline May 16)

Fergus Falls

* Veterans Home Administrator [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 15)
* Human Services Technician/Certified Nursing Assistant [ [link removed] ]
(application deadline May 30)
* Human Services Technician/Certified Nursing Assistant, part-time [ [link removed] ]
(application deadline May 30)

Hastings

* Registered Nurse [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 13)

Little Falls

* Seasonal Groundskeeper [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 21)

Minneapolis

* Licensed Practical Nurse [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 29)
* Licensed Practical Nurse, part-time [ [link removed] ]
(multiple openings, application deadline May 29)
* General Repair Worker [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 13)
* Veteran Health Navigator Supervisor [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 21)

Montevideo

* Human Services Technician/Certified Nursing Assistant, part-time [ [link removed] ]
(multiple openings, application deadline May 13)
* Human Services Technician/Certified Nursing Assistant, intermittent [ [link removed] ]
(application deadline May 12)
* Activities Assistant, part-time [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 19)

Preston

* Licensed Practical Nurse, part-time [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 14)
* Licensed Practical Nurse, intermittent [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 14)
* Human Services Technician/Certified Nursing Assistant, part-time [ [link removed] ]
(application deadline May 9)

Silver Bay

* Licensed Practical Nurse, part-time [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 14)
* Registered Nurse [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 14)

Memorial Day Programs at State Veterans Cemeteries

All of our State Veterans Cemeteries will be hosting Memorial Day Programs this Memorial Day weekend. All events will be held Sunday, May 25.


* Duluth [ [link removed] ]
* Little Falls [ [link removed] ]
* Preston [ [link removed] ]
* Redwood Falls [ [link removed] ]
memorial-day

A Legacy of Service: Minnesota Veterans Homes Week, May 11-17

Please join the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) in celebrating Minnesota Veterans Homes Week May 11-17. This annual event honors our dedicated staff who care for Veteran Residents and their families as well as one another. We’re proud to recognize their ongoing efforts to ensure the highest quality of care is consistently delivered in a warm and welcoming environment, serving those who have served our nation.

Our employees’ legacy of service ensures that our Homes’ Residents live a joyful, meaningful and engaged life amongst their fellow Veterans. During this celebratory week, our goal will be to say thank you to team members through a variety of activities, including staff contests, gratitude walls, dress-up days, and special treats and meals.

You’re invited to follow MDVA’s social media channels beginning May 11 to see what is happening on our eight campuses in Bemidji, Fergus Falls, Hastings, Luverne, Minneapolis, Montevideo, Preston and Silver Bay or send a personalized note to these Homes acknowledging their contributions to their communities. For contact information on all Minnesota Veterans Homes, click here. [ [link removed] ]

Minnesota Military Radio - Tune in this Weekend

Minnesota MIlitary Radio

For over 13 years, the award-winning Minnesota Military Radio (MMR) has been the forum for retelling the stories of Minnesota’s heroes. Retired Command Sergeant Major, Veteran and volunteer host Doug Wortham shares these stories which are carried on 65 broadcasting stations throughout the state of Minnesota in an effort to preserve the stories of our Veterans and keep listeners up to date on things happening at MDVA and in our Veteran Community here in Minnesota.

Coming up this week, we're live from Minnesota Wild [ [link removed] ] headquarters, exploring the MN Wild Team Dog Program. We'll meet the founder of Coco's Heart Dog Rescue [ [link removed] ], learn about the Soldiers 6 [ [link removed] ] program providing service dogs to heroes, and connect with a Veteran who previously received a MN Wild team dog.

 

More information >> [ [link removed] ]



May is Mental Health Month

Self-connection, or self-care, is about finding practices that help you thrive, and it can include a range of things. It takes purposeful effort, but it can help you maintain or improve your daily mental wellbeing. It can be helpful to think of it as taking time to connect with yourself and care for yourself as you would others.

Prioritizing time to connect to yourself doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive, and it is important for you to find out what works best for you. Below are a few different ways to nurture your mental wellbeing, from the Mental Health Coalition:


* Physical: Notice and address the stress that shows up in your body. Notice what physical activities reduce or alleviate physical pain, tension and mental stress for you. Some common activities are massages, hugging loved ones with their consent, fitness, dance, aromatherapy, rest and boundary setting.
* Emotional: Involves tending to your own internal emotional world – especially your mood and feelings. Ways to tend to your emotional self can include connecting with others, naming and acknowledging your emotions, psychotherapy, journaling or creative writing, art and setting boundaries for your emotional wellbeing.
* Cognitive: Engages in activities that are intellectually rewarding and/or stimulating. This can include reading, writing, listening to books or podcasts, watching films and psychotherapy.
* Spiritual: This can take many different forms and does not have to be tied to formal religion. It means getting in touch with the less tangible aspects of yourself and the world around you. This can include meditation, breathwork, prayer, connecting with a spiritual or religious community and mantras.

Identify a few ways you’d like to prioritize your own wellbeing. Set aside the time you need to do it, give yourself permission to embrace it if it is hard for you to prioritize yourself, and work toward adding these moments regularly into your life. Know that what taking care of yourself may look like can change over time, and it is okay to adapt to what activities you engage in to fit your needs.

"Information provided by the Minnesota Department of Health. Learn more ""here" [ [link removed] ]". "

Veterans Town Hall Meeting - Brainerd, May 13

A Veterans town hall meeting is scheduled on May 13, 2025, at 2 p.m., at the Brainerd VA Clinic, located at 722 Northwest 7th St., in Brainerd.

The meeting is open to all Veterans served by the Brainerd VA Clinic and St. Cloud VA and provides Veterans the chance to hear from and have concerns addressed by St. Cloud VA officials.

Veterans can attend in-person, or virtually by joining the meeting on a computer or mobile device at [link removed]. Veterans may also call in (audio only) to listen to the meeting at 1-872-701-0185 and use access code 614 944 484#.

Native American Veteran Resource Fair, May 15

Resource Fair Flyer

There will be a Native American Veteran Resource Fair at Cedar Lakes Casino in Cass Lake May 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The resource fair will include information about housing, employment, health benefits and more. There will also be a wide variety of service providers onsite.

 

More information >> [ [link removed] ]



19th Annual Veterans Career Fair, May 21

Veterans Career Fair Flyer

Veterans, current service members, military spouses and Gold Star families - you're invited to attend the 19th Annual Veterans Career Fair!

Are you looking for a higher salary and a great career? Work for an employer that recognizes and appreciates your military service and the value you bring to the team!

 

More information >> [ [link removed] ]



Bravo Zulu House Grand Opening, May 28

Bravo Zulu House

Bravo Zulu House will be a Veterans-only facility providing a nurturing, home-like setting where residents gain strength. The goal is to integrate formal therapies and counseling with dog therapy, hydroponic gardening and addressing the deep-seated wounds of war.

Join to celebrate their grand opening. This event is open to the public and is set to include special guests, a ribbon cutting ceremony and much more.

 

More information >> [ [link removed] ]



Veterans Painting Classes at St. Thomas, June 9 - 14

Join for a free and relaxing outdoor painting class at Saint Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights.

Veterans (and their caregivers) are invited to register one of the class dates at no cost, with the mission to support Veterans connections to nature and one another in a unique outdoor experience.

 

More information >> [ [link removed] ]

Mental Health First Aid Training, June 25

Mental Health First Aid

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is committed to investing in both our Veterans and the communities where they live and serve. A healthy community is a suicide-safe community.

One way MDVA contributes to the wellbeing of our state and Veteran communities is by offering free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course certification each month. MDVA also offers this training to our employees.

Trainings are held Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.


* June 25
* July 23

 

More information >> [ [link removed] ]



National Veterans Wheelchair Games: Volunteers Needed

Wheelchair Games

The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is the largest adaptive sports and rehabilitation event designed exclusively for U.S. military Veterans with disabilities. They are currently looking for volunteers to help with the upcoming games.

Support Veteran athletes, make connections and be part of something unforgettable here in Minneapolis, July 17–22, 2025. For questions, email: [email protected].

 

Register to volunteer >> [ [link removed] ]



You may be Eligible for Additional USDVA Educational Benefits!

On April 16, 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that Veterans who served at least two periods of service - one that qualifies for the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) and another that qualifies for the Post-9/11 GI Bill (PGIB) - may be able to receive additional GI Bill benefits.

*Am I eligible for additional benefits? If so, what should I do?*

If you have previously applied to use VA education benefits, you may be eligible for additional benefits, if:


* You completed more than one eligible period of service, and
* You waived all or part of your MGIB benefits so you could use PGIB benefits.

If you have questions, please reach out to an MDVA Veterans Education Regional Coordinator.

 

Find your Regional Coordinator >> [ [link removed] ]

Beware: Claim Predators Want to Prey on Your Benefits

Many Veterans seek support and help with filing VA benefits claims for the payments they deserve. Be cautious of "claim predators" - unaccredited companies or individuals targeting Veterans' benefits for profit.
How to identify claim predators:


* Charging High Fees: Predatory companies charge absurd fees or require you to pay a portion of your VA benefits. Never pay anyone a fee to file an initial claim for benefits.
* Making Dishonest Promises: Don't trust anyone who claims they can help accelerate the claims process and obtain a 100% disability benefits evaluation. Remember, only VA has the authority to determine disability ratings.
* Requiring Binding Contracts: No one should ever charge a fee to file an initial claim for VA benefits. Never sign a contract agreeing to pay an unauthorized individual/company a percentage of your benefit payment in exchange for help with your VA claim.

 

Learn more about VA accredited representatives >> [ [link removed] ]

The PACT Act and Your VA Benefits

The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances.

The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions the VA presumes are caused by exposure to these substances. This law helps provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.

 

PACT [ [link removed] ]

 

More information >> [ [link removed] ]

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Veterans Crisis Line

The Veterans Crisis Line's number—988 then Press 1—helps make it easier to remember and share the number to access help in times of need.

Veterans can use this option by dialing 988 and pressing 1 to contact the Veterans Crisis Line. Veterans may still reach the Veterans Crisis Line with the previous phone number—1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 [ tel:1-800-273-8255 ]—by text (838255), and through chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat [ [link removed] ].

 



Submit Your Veteran-Related Event

If you know of a Veteran-related community event happening in your area you would like to submit to be included in our Friday Digest, please email all event information to [email protected] for consideration.



________________________________________________________________________

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