Important May dates to recognize

Hear real Veterans tell their stories about what made the difference in their mental health journeys and how it changed their daily lives. https://www.maketheconnection.net/mental-health-month/

As the MDVA and VA Healthcare continue to offer support throughout the State, Howard County hosted an event to help veterans with clams support, healthcare enrollment and resources such as employment, mental health, burial/cemetery benefits, housing and more. Count Executive Ball and new MDVA Secretary Tony Woods stopped by to thank our veterans for their service.

Howard County Office of Disabilities Loan Closet provides an Education and Resource Center for assistive technology and durable medical equipment for all ages. Medical equipment includes canes, walkers, scooters, manual wheelchairs, shower benches/chairs, crutches, portable and modular ramps and other items, at no cost to Howard County residents. Visit website for a complete list of equipment, hours and referral form. Also accepts donations of durable medical equipment. 7125 Riverwood Drive, Suite D1 in Columbia, MD 21046. Appointments are required for all services; call 410-313-0363 (voice/relay) to discuss your needs.

VFW Post 7472 in Ellicott City hosted A Day of Service: Family Freedom Fest on Saturday, May 6 with food, music, activities and lots of resources for veteran and military families. Sen. Katie Fry Hester and Del. Courtney Watson presented a $100K check for much needed post repairs. County Executive Calvin Ball and the late Bill Baird were recognized for their efforts in having a military cannon restored.

May 10 - Military Spouse Hiring Fair and Appreciation Day, Ft. Meade McGill Training Center, more details to follow.

May 10 – Older Adults Community Kickoff, 2-4:30pm at Ellicott City 50+ Center (9401 Frederick Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21042)

May 11 - "Military Spouses in the Workplace” in the Great Hall at the Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 10am-12pm.  Please register at the link below. For those that cannot attend in person, there is a virtual option as well.

 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/military-spouse-appreciation-day-protecting-milspouses-in-the-workplace-tickets-615031986227

May 16 – Blue Star Families Caregivers Empowering Caregivers Cohort Howard County Session at Belmont Manor for Nutritional Cooking Class, Lunch and Garden Tour. Register here for information on all sessions in MD including Howard County. Free

05/09/2023 - Capture and Proposal Management

05/11/2023 - Seeking Funding for Your Business? Speed Lending is for You!

05/11/2023 - Sales Conversations that Close Deals

05/16/2023 - Responding to State Solicitations

05/18/2023 - Selling, Hiring & Working with Independent Contractors

05/23/2023 - Pricing Strategies to Win More Contracts

05/23/2023 - Building Your Past Performance Library

05/25/2023 - Maryland's Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) Program

05/24/2023 - Minority Contractor Summit

05/25/2023 - Budget Builder Workshop for Small Business Owners

05/30/2023 - Driving Revenue: Leveraging Technology to Capture Clients

May 10 - Senior Planet presents: Money Matters, 11am at Ellicott City 50+ Center / Free. A02647.301. The internet can open a new world for you to save money and manage your finances. Learn the basics of online banking and find out how to keep your financial information safe. The discussion will include online shopping tips and explore digital resources to help you save money on entertainment, prescription drugs, and everyday items. Free in-person event; register on ActiveNet.

May 10 - Understanding Impact: When a Parent Leaves the Military, 12pm Virtual. This webinar is written for parents. Professionals who work with military-connected children may find it useful, but please remember the target audience is parents. Resources discussed and provided are also intended for parental use at home with their children. This is an interactive webinar offering research-based information and ideas for participants. This webinar is funded by the Department of the Air Force School Liaison Program and is open to all Air Force and DoD personnel assigned to Air Force installations. Others may register and attend on a space-available basis.

May 16 - Veteran/Military Caregiver Day Out. 12:30-3pm at Belmont Manor in Elkridge. Cooking Class, lunch and tour of grounds. Free. Register

May 16 - Teen Safety Awareness, 7-8pm. Join for an informative discussion on Teen Safety Awareness with Shawn Kane, River Hill High School’s Resource Officer. Mr. Kane will cover best practice strategies for staying safe in a number of contexts, including social and practical situations. Teens may attend along with their parents. Shawn Kane has been a police officer for 2006. He has served with the Maryland Transportation Authority and has been with the Howard County Police Department since 2008. He has been a School Resource Officer for seven years with HCPSS. He also is Crisis Intervention Certified with the Howard County PD and DARE Certified (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) with the state of Maryland Police Training Commission. Contact Lisa Krausz at president@riverhillptsa.org with any questions. This workshop is open to all Howard County high school students and their parents. 

May 18 – Recruit Military Baltimore Veterans Hiring Event, 11am-3pm at M&T Stadium 1101 Russell Street, Baltimore, MD 21230.

May 18 - Self-Discovery: You Are Not Alone! Virtual Workshop, 1-3pm. Free CEUs.

May 20 – NAMI Walks – Register to walk or donate. VA Maryland Mental Health Recovery has stood up a group to participate in the NAMI Walks at Rash Field, Inner Harbor Baltimore on Saturday May 20 9am-12pm. They are welcoming everyone to join them in the walk and/or make a donation to the cause: www.namiwalks.org/team/56118

May 20 - “Discovering Horses Clinic” Barrel Racing & Roping Demos! Hands-on Fun with horses., problem solving, obstacle work & more! Lunch provided. • 20 spots available for Maryland first responders and military members (spouses & 2 children per family welcome!) Note: Limited 2 children per family due to space~ children need to be accompanied by adult & recommend 8 years & older

Statewide Resources to 800+ stables! 8:30am-12:00pm Wellspring of Life Farm 16312 Old York Road Monkton, MD 21111. Pre-registration form to hold spot! Email wellspringlifefarm@gmail.com or call (410)472-3682 for more information

May 20 - CONDUIT Coordination and Claims Clinic for all veterans, service members, family members, caretakers, and especially those from the Black + Other Veterans of Color (BOVOC) communities across the D.C, Maryland, Virginia (DMV) region, 10am-2pm at the 3rd in Columbia 10215 Wincopin Cir suite 100, Columbia, MD 21044, USA

May 25 - Suicide Prevention for Military Veterans Through Lethal Means Counseling, 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM. Online via Zoom. $25 CEU credits available.

May 25 - Maryland's Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) Program, 10am-12pm

Are you a veteran-owned small business entrepreneur? This class takes a look at Maryland's VSBE Program's eligibility standards and 3-step certification process. If you are a former VSBE and let your certification lapse and want to get back into the program, this session would also be for you. We'll explore common procurement practices and examine tactics for mining the state's open and transparent procurement pipeline. We will also share valuable small business resources available specifically to veterans.

Who should attend? Veteran small business owners and veteran entrepreneurs who want to assess the state contracting arena and gain a better understanding of Maryland's VSBE Program.

June 1 - Howard County Commission for Veterans and Military Families Monthly Meeting, 7-8:30pm. 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive or virtual. Email veterans@howardcoutymd.gov for link.

June 7 – In Person Career Fair, 10am-1pm at the Columbia Workforce Center.

June 10 – Women Veterans Recognition and Resource Fair, 10am-2pm. PGCC

July 15 – Serving our Willing Warriors Annual Vettes for Vets Auto Show

June 26 – HCPSS Education Foundation Bright Minds Bright Future Reception, 6-8pm at 18^th and 21^st/Cured. Celebrate our Principal and Teacher of the Year and help raise money for student and teacher support. Food, drinks and music included. Tickets and sponsorships available.

September 9 – Annual Warrior Bike Ride to benefit Serving our Willing Warriors

September 13 - Project Opportunity Fall Classes Begin, Monday evenings, Sept 11- Nov 13, 6-9pm at the Maryland Innovation Center (Gold Room Third Floor) located at 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046, Entrepreneurial program for veterans, military spouses and caregivers. 

October 28 – Save The Date: First-ever Veteran-Owned Small Business Expo, 10am-2pm at the MD Innovation Center 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive Columbia, MD.

Poetic Record: Resilience Workshop for Healthcare Workers with Laura Van Prooyen - Writing workshop for healthcare workers that blends poetry, community, and the science of resilience. Every Tuesday, 7 PM

Comedy Workshop with Amelia Bane in Partnership with Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easterseals  Writing workshop for all interested to learn and practice comedy writing skills. 2nd Tuesday, 12 PM

Poetry Workshop with Ben Weakley in Partnership with Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easterseals  Creative writing workshop for all. 4th Tuesday, 12 PM

Visual Art Workshop with Veteran Artists Val Acosta, Shaun Smith, and Joe Merritt Hang out in a collaborative group setting, learn new art techniques, and create a masterpiece. No experience necessary. Every Wednesday, 7 PM

Writing Workshop for Military, Veterans, Caregivers and Spouses with Laura Van Prooyen in Partnership w/ Blue Star Families Creative writing workshop where we'll consider writing as a tool for communication, expression, and relief from holding it all together. 1st & 3rd Thursday, 3:30 PM

Writing Workshop with Seema Reza No experience required! If you can think, you can write. Bring some paper and a pen! Every Friday, 12 PM

Writing Workshop in Partnership with Strathmore featuring a Special Guest each month - Creative writing workshop where you can put your personal stories on paper in a supportive environment. 3rd Thursday, 7 PM

Veteran Virtual Kiosk, Monday thru Friday 10am-3pm EST. A daily virtual office where you can connect to our employment professionals and get help with MD Workforce Exchange and find out about available resources. Contact Mr. Anthony Butler Sr.

Register for Maryland’s Workforce Exchange by visiting        https://mwejobs.maryland.gov/

Virtual Tai Chi for Veterans, 1st Tuesday of every month - 12-1pm.  

Virtual Toastmasters for Veterans and Military Communities 2nd Tuesdays at 7pm & 4th Saturdays of every month at 11:30 am. Please register with Bernadette Garrett at tmspeakerleaderdtm20@gmail.com

Virtual Mindfulness and Gentle Yoga, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month 5-6pm.

Every Day – Veterans Yoga Project Livestreaming classes.  

2^nd Thursday of the Month - Veteran Small Business & Entrepreneur Check-In, 3pm EST. A monthly outreach and support event which brings together vet friendly businesses, small business service organizations and aspiring veteran entrepreneurs to share opportunities advice and resources. Contact Mr. Anthony Butler Sr.

Last Thursday of the Month- Veteran Career Club, 11am EST. A monthly outreach and support event which brings together veteran job seekers, career guides, JVSG employment professionals and veteran service organizations to provide job/career options, information on apprenticeships and training opportunities and share tips and techniques for success. Contact Mr. Anthony Butler Sr.

NAMI Support Groups

Now – Honor Flights Maryland seeking WWII, Korean and Vietnam Veterans who may be interested in visiting DC Memorials next year, volunteers and guardians to help!

Now – Free Web Based Financial Workshops, Counseling, First Time Buyers (in Spanish)

Now - Howard County Fallen Heroes Tribute. To honor Howard County residents who died while in service to our country, the Office of Veteran and Military Families is proud to announce the creation of the Fallen Heroes Tribute page. 

Now - The Perry Point Veterans Museum at the Grist Mill is open for guided tours. Please call 410-642-2411 ext. 26071 or email PerryPointVeteransMuseum@va.gov to verify the current hours or to schedule a visit.

        Westpoint Podcast    Admission at U.S. Military Academy Webinar

Qualifying adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder would need to commit to a six-month study. Transportation, a stipend, and lodging assistance (some time in Bethesda, Md is required) are available. Participants would need to go without medication for four to six weeks. If you have any questions or to apply, call 301-435-8970 or email schizophrenia@mail.nih.gov

Caregiver Cohort - Are you a caregiver looking to make connections with other caregivers in your area? All while participating in no-costs-associated self-care workshops in 2023?

Tax Credit Information - The program provides a tax credit to owner of a property, if the owner is at least 65 years old and has lived in the same dwelling for at least 30 years as of June 30 or at least 65 years old as of June 30 and is a retired member with 20 years of active service of the Armed Forces of the United States or the surviving spouse of the service member.

ActNowEducation - FREE Comprehensive educational resources and opportunities for Active Duty, Veterans, Military Spouses

Several Jobs on Ft. Meade including:

Fitness Program Specialist NF-03 (Regular Full Time), Fort Meade, Maryland (NSA/CWF)

Salary: $40,000.00 to $45,000.00 Per Year

How to Apply:

Howard County Conservancy is hiring a caretaker for our 232 acre nature preserve. Housing provided onsite in exchange for 15 hours/week work on the grounds. Great opportunity for the right person. Message me if you know a good candidate. Must have mechanical skills and be able to operate a tractor/other equipment.

Howard County Government Employment Opportunities

Max Outreach - OutreachCoordinator@maximus.com or by phone at 1-800-274-8582 ext 185

(410)290-2606(O)

Military Career Connections assists eligible transitioning service members, military spouses, and veterans with enhanced one-on-one career services. These career services include a combination of resume assistance, employment assistance, no cost industry training, licensing, certifications, work and learn opportunities, and barrier remediation with the goal of employment.

For more information, please send an email to military@aawdc.org

If you would like more information about resources for veterans in Howard County, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/veterans or email veterans@howardcountymd.gov