VFW National Home for Children Aids Military, Veteran Families
Veteran-focused child-care agency programs available nationwide

VFW National Home for Children Awareness Week was celebrated March 23-29, 2008. The National Home is a non-profit child-care agency in Michigan that helps children and families of America's active-duty military and war veterans nationwide by providing a place to turn in troubled times.

The National Home Helpline offers nationwide assistance and connection to local supportive services. In addition to Helpline services, the National Home's traditional residential on-campus programs are designed to give veterans' families an opportunity for a better life. Eligibility for these programs is based on the child(ren) having a living (or deceased) parent, grandparent or great-grandparent who is (or was) a VFW or Ladies Auxiliary member in good standing. Deployed military members' children or their spouses with children, and veterans with a service-connected disability with their families may also be eligible.

Military and veteran families or their children may not need on-campus programs; however they seek supportive services in their own community. The National Home helps people with a variety of supportive services depending on what is needed. Sometimes it is simply connecting a family with services available in their own community. Other times, intensive case management support helps resolve pressing issues. Social workers at the National Home have an extensive knowledge of veterans' services in addition to special connections to help the veteran community.

Active-duty military families, as well as families of veterans, very often find themselves in situations in which they need somewhere to turn for help. For example, a deployed service member who is also a single parent may place their child(ren) in the National Home's residential program. During the time of deployment, this service member will rest assured knowing their children are receiving proper care while they are overseas. Upon returning to the United States, the family will be reunited.

Whatever the case may be, the National Home offers services available in the specialized on-campus programs along with the National Home Helpline with support services all designed to provide the best in love, care and education to the children and families.

Today, you can help a child or family in need find the answers they have been searching for. America has not forgotten about its war heroes.

The VFW National Home for Children Helpline
800-851-0238

Email: help@vfwnationalhome.org

Web: www.vfwnationalhome.org

On the Alumni page of the VFWNHC site, you can read testimonials from past residents of the Home and others who received services through the many programs.

Here is one such testimonial:

I owe much of my success to the VFW National Home for Children for their support over the years.

I moved to the Home in 1981 when I was 9 years old. I was given the opportunity to study dance, gymnastics and piano while also playing floor hockey, soccer and other sporting events. I loved the opportunities to participate in all the activities; it truly was a blessing. I believe these opportunities helped build my competitive edge, which is a personal attribute that contributes to my success today.

I graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1994 and have built a successful career in the mutual fund industry. As I grow older, I become more and more appreciative of everything that the Home did for my family and me. Without the love, support, discipline, and guidance that I received from the VFW National Home for Children, I would not be the successful person that I am today.



On the site, you can also subscribe to the Alumni Newsletter mailed by the Home regularly, and learn about the latest programs and events for alumni and their families, such as the annual reunion.

If you are an Alumni, please share your story in the Guestbook at the bottom of this page!

At various times throughout the year, the public is invited to tour the Home and meet the staff as well as the participants in the residential programs on campus.

• Tours link on the vfwnationalhome.org site

As the Home is truly "home" to many, and a safe community for the children who live there, the Home asks that you not visit without first contacting the staff and arranging a guided tour.

Check with the VFW National Home for Children to see when the next opportunity is scheduled.

There are many ways you can support the VFW National Home for Children, and some of them won't cost you more than a few cents in postage.

A small excerpt from the site:

For almost 80 years, the VFW National Home has reached out and touched the lives of thousands of children and families of our veterans across the nation. Our dedicated and professional staff provides a loving, home-like environment for children to grow and thrive.

Since our programs receive no government funding, contributions from Posts, Auxiliaries, Military Order of the Cootie Pup Tents and individual donors are critical for us to maintain our programs and our campus. You can be assured that your gift will serve the children here at the VFW National Home for Children, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. All gifts are tax-deductible as provided by law and will be acknowledged promptly.

Visit the site to receive the Giving Guide, and learn just how many soup labels it takes to buy a CAR! (The Home has purchased at least THREE vehicles with proceeds from the Campbell's Labels for Education program, made possible by the generous and diligent cooperation of the public.)