·       Heroes Ridge at Raven Rock  - Free retreats for ill, injured and wounded post 9/11 combat Veteran. You must have a 70% or higher disability rating and a DD214 to upload to application. Retrreats include: Couples, Battle Buddies, Women Veteran Only, Family Halloween. Please check out Operation Second Chance's website for more information: https://operationsecondchance.org/

For more questions please email- ksanders@operationsecondchance.org

·      Warrior Retreat at Bull Run - The Warrior Retreat at Bull Run is the flagship program of Willing Warriors. Our Retreat provides a much-needed break for our recovering service members at military hospitals in the National Capital Region. The daily routine of the long recovery process takes a heavy toll on the entire warrior family. The Retreat is a place where our “Willing Warriors” can get away from the hospital environment with their families to relax, enjoy quality time, and reconnect in a comfortable home-like setting. This respite helps to revitalize the mind, spirit, and soul; important aspects of the holistic healing process. The objective is that the entire family returns to their warrior’s recovery process feeling refreshed, inspired, and motivated to succeed in rebuilding the lives they wish to lead.

·      Warrior Advance Retreats - Warfighter Advance changes the trajectory of the warfighter’s post-deployment life, so that rather than an existence characterized by an endless cycle of mental illness diagnoses, medications, medical appointments and disappointments, the warfighter has a life characterized by pride, productivity, healthy relationships, continued service, and advocacy for the same outcomes for their fellow service members.

·      April 1-31 - Military Saves Month  – Sign up for resources and webinars

·      April 20 – Veteran Career Fair, 3-6pm at the Howard County Miller Branch Library.

·      April 20 - Foreclosure Prevention, 6pm. Participants learn the different types of foreclosures and how to avoid them; what retention and non-retention options are available; the terminology used; specific programs to help borrowers at risk and what scams to be aware of. Presenter: Sandra Rains, CCCSMD WebEx Session Invitation

·      April 21 - How to Safely Use Payment Apps. Join from the meeting link   Meeting number: 2312 722 7017 and password: cQk9jPVhW45. The pandemic drove economic demand for contact-less payment methods. Whether buying pets, pizza or pants, consumers opted for peer-to-peer payment apps. But what are your rights as a consumer when using these apps? What if there’s a dispute or you were defrauded by online criminals? For Money Matters Month, the Office of Consumer Protection provides valuable information to County employees on how and when to safely use these payment apps and what rights users have— and more importantly, don’t have.  

·      April 22 – Military-Friendly Job Fair, 11am-2pm. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet top employers who are looking for great candidates at the Corporate Gray VIRTUAL Military-Friendly Job Fair. Registered companies and government agencies include Lockheed Martin, Leidos, Los Alamos National Laboratory, SAIC, Eaton, LexisNexis, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, U.S. Agency for International Development, and more. Especially for candidates with military experience, but free and open to ALL candidates.

·      April 22 – Virtual Crochet Workshop, 3:00 pm PDT (4:00pm MDT, 5:00pm CDT, 6:00pm EDT) and limited to 20 participants. Register at https://www.cavarts.org.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CcEbTqoBuRR/ Free for Veterans Only.

·      April 23 & 24 – Team River Runners Swift Water Rescue Class, 8am-5pm at Lock 5, C&O Canal, Brookmont, MD. This is an ACA Swiftwater Rescue Level 4 course, taught by Charlie Duffy, National Safety Director, TRR. This course teaches judgement and risk management to minimize the likelihood of serious incidents, and the skills to deal with incidents that still occur.

If you have rescue gear, bring it. If you don't, do not go and buy gear before the class. Come play with chapter gear in the class, and then make informed purchases afterwards. This is a physically demanding class, and much of the class will occur in the river. Exercises are challenge-by-choice; if you are uncomfortable with an exercise you may elect to sit it out. Star Families want to ensure that we are providing diverse programming to our families. We know that the past 2 years have had challenges ad would like to provide some fun! 

·      April 23 - Clark's Elioak's Farm - Join Blue Star Families (BSF) as we celebrate Earth Day at the Petting Farm! https://bluestarfam.org/event/clarks-elioak-farm-month-of-the-military-child-04-23-2022/  10am-1pm

·      April 25 - Free Webcast: Utilizing VA Benefits to Help Veterans Age in Place, 2-3pm EST Register here. When in need for care at home, disabled Veterans may be entitled to additional resources to help pay for home care services, such as VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance. This training will provide an overview of the benefits that may be available, how to apply for them, and how they interact with Social Security benefits and Medicaid. This webcast will help programs and advocates build their capacity to provide person-directed services to disabled Veterans in the areas of health and housing. Most individuals prefer to stay in their community, and understanding these benefits will provide legal assistance, aging services, and disability services professionals with information needed to promote options to age in place.

 ·      April 25 - Wills and Estate Administration: What You Need to Know, 6pm. It’s extremely important to have a Last Will and Testament and plan for your future. This session will cover how you can ensure your wishes are carried out and your family can be protected by having a will, what happens to your assets after you pass away, and the basics of the process of estate administration, also known as “probate,” in Maryland. A Q&A will follow. Presenter: Honorable Byron Macfarlane, Howard County Register of Wills WebEx Session Invitation

·      April 26 - Introduction to Cryptocurrency and Avoiding Digital Assets Scams, 6:30pm – 8pm. Learn the basics of digital assets including cryptocurrencies, how to spot common frauds and scams, where to report them, and where to find resources that will help protect your money. Presenters: Dan Rutherford, Commodity Futures Trading Commission; Cristina Miranda, Federal Trade Commission and Jacob Yunger, FINRA WebEx Session Invitation 

 ·      April 26 - The Military and Community Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Listening Session will focus is to provide a space for you to share your thoughts and experiences with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in your community and in the military. 7-8:30pm. If you’re interested in participating or have any questions about the event, please contact Aimee Stoddard at astoddard@every-mind.org.  Our goal is to start important conversations, give you a space to feel heard, and promote positive community change.

·      April 27 - Financial Aid 101, 6pm. Participants of this workshop will be able to understand how to access higher education and be provided with an in-depth overview of the various types of financial assistance available to cover the costs of a post-secondary higher education. Presenter: Tamika Bybee, Director of Financial Aid Services, Howard Community College WebEx Session Invitation

 ·      April 27 - Baltimore Veterans Collaborative on Veteran Employment and Training, featuring a panel of speakers including IVMF's Onward 2 Opportunity, 9-10am.

·      April 29 – Howard County Youth Summer Employment Application Deadline

 ·      April 30 - B & O Railroad Museum - All Aboard for Fun as we celebrate the Month of the Military Child https://bluestarfam.org/event/b-o-railroad-month-of-the-military-child-event/ This event will likely be a media event. There will be volunteers who will assist with supporting 100+ people. Maryland Gold Star Mothers will be on-hand to recognize 15 National Guard Families. Mission BBQ has donated food. We will "Purple Up" on that day and have a variety of resources and crafts on hand.

·      April 30 - Discovering Horses for Active Duty & Veterans. 8:30 registration, clinic begins promptly at 9 am and ends at 2:30 pm (Rain or shine) at Wellspring of Life Farm, 16312 Old York Road, Monkton, MD 21111. Registration: Pre-registration form required to hold spot & receive cool t-shirt! Download fillable registration form off website wellspringlifefarm.org and submit. Free.

Email questions/comments to Dawn at wellspringlifefarm@gmail.com or (410) 472-3682

 ·      April 30 – Discovering Horses Clinic for Military, 8:30am-2:30pm in 16312 Old York Road Monkton, MD. Connecting Active Duty & Veterans with the many benefits of horses and equine programs throughout the State! Wellspring of Life Farm is honored to host its first Heroes & Horses Series for 50 active duty military and veterans from across the state of Maryland reaching as many counties as possible. Future clinics possible. Registration: Pre-registration form required to hold spot & receive cool t-shirt! *Email questions/comments to Dawn at wellspringlifefarm@gmail.com or call (410)472-3682 *Download fillable registration form off website wellspringlifefarm.org and submit

·      May 1 - Family Paddling Program-TRR Season Kickoff, 2-5pm at Riley's Lock at 13015 Riley's Lock Rd Poolesville MD. Family paddling event with boats, gear, and instruction provided

Map to paddling venue: https://goo.gl/maps/YiGUfqCd3chhoRMM7

Sign-up and waiver links at https://bit.ly/3NXpUBQ

·      May 4 – Team River Runner Lock 6 Workouts at 6PM 'til Dark at Lock 6 at 6100 Clara Barton Pkwy Bethesda. Moving water practice - learn and drill eddy turns, peel outs, ferries, etc. 

Map to paddling venue:  https://goo.gl/maps/mVKQoP7miKkvSrHh6

Reply to walter.reed@teamriverrunner.org for detailed directions if you've not been to L6 before.

·      May 5 - The Federal Government Virtual Education & Professional Development Symposium, 9am-6pm. The purpose of the event is to learn from exciting presentations, delivered by subject matter experts in higher education and the federal government, on mission critical topics. The federal government community can also meet representatives from the Federal Academic Alliance schools to learn how to take advantage of available education benefits. This is also a military spouse friendly event. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) created the Federal Academic Alliance in 2014 to assist the federal government in addressing critical skills gaps. The alliance offers higher educational opportunities to the federal workforce by providing current federal employees with the opportunity to pursue post-secondary education at reduced tuition rates. Today, the alliance has grown to include 26 colleges and universities from across the country. Each of these schools offers unique benefits to federal employees, spouses, and dependents to advance their education. Register here

·      May 2 (1^st Monday of the month) - Virtual Veteran Support Group, 6-7pm.

·      May 5 - Howard County Commission for Veteran and Military Families Meeting, 7pm. Dept of Community Resources and Services 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive Columbia, MD.

Join from the meeting link: https://howardcountymd.webex.com/howardcountymd/j.php?MTID=m12b425d6f7b9dc5d9ee0c485b1e3918e

Join by meeting number

Meeting number (access code): 2300 787 9813

Meeting password: CcEmEiMN939

·      May 10-11 – Maryland’s Commitment to Veterans Military and Veterans Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Symposium, 1-5pm.

·      May 11 - In-person CI or FS Poly Cleared Job Fair, 2pm – 6pm EDT at the DoubleTree BWI. 

·      May 15 - Bloom Where You Are Planted - Military Spouse Appreciation Lunch (farm to table experience at a historic restaurant) https://www.tfaforms.com/4978055 Registration for this event will go live on 18 April and we are hosting 30 military spouses and have invited the CSM spouse from Fort Meade. Donations to assist with centerpieces, offsetting the cost of lunch are appreciated. Amazon has donated 30 sets of gardening tools and 30 books on gardening

·      May 30 - The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at The Wall in Washington, D.C. at 1:00pm EST.v They are proud to announce the line-up of speakers for the ceremony:

To learn more about our speakers, RSVP to the event, or learn how to watch live that day, visit vvmf.org/2022-Memorial-Day/

·      June 8 – MDVA 2-Day Annual Womens AppreSHEation Panel Discussion, 10am-12pm and June 9, Conference, 10am-2pm.

·      July 19 - Small Business Resource Information Session, 5:30-7:30pm. If you’re an entrepreneur just starting out, or an established business hoping to scale, you need a business strategy that you can count on. Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA)’s Small Business Resource Information Session will help you plan and grow with confidence.

·      Each session will include presenters from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Howard County Office of Purchasing - Procurement, and HCEDA-Business Development/Catalyst Fund

·      Now - Howard County Fallen Heroes Tribute. To honor Howard County residents who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, the Office of Veteran and Military Families is proud to announce the creation of the Fallen Heroes Tribute page. 

We hope that you will use this form by sharing their stories of valor which will be highlighted on a future webpage. Fallen Heroes Form

   

·   Every Day – Veterans Yoga Project Livestreaming classes.  

·      Monday thru Friday - Veteran Virtual Kiosk, 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/

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

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

·      2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month thru December 22, 2021 - Virtual Mindfulness and Gentle Yoga, 5-6pm.

·      Every Thursday 9am-1pm, 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month, 9am-1pm and other days/times by appointment - The Perry Point Veterans Museum at the Grist Mill with guided tours available to all visitors. Behind the scenes, however, museum volunteers have been busy for several months, researching the history of Perry Point and assembling new displays. Before the pandemic, members of the Archaeological Society of the Northern Chesapeake combed through boxes of materials unearthed during an archaeological dig at Perry Point nearly 40 years ago. The artifacts they uncovered and identified – including native American projectile points, clay pipe pieces and assorted pottery sherds – make up some of the new displays.

·      4th Tuesdays of every month - Virtual Creative Writing Workshops with Community Building Art Works, 12-1pm

  

·      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

VA Podcasts – Borne to Battle, Fresh Focus, Vets First

·      Aging in place can be so much easier with smart home technology

·      Howard County Tax Credits - This month, our Department of Finance will be visiting three of the County’s DCRS Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) 50+ Centers to discuss the many tax credits available to residents. The dates are as follows: Tuesday, April 19th from 11:00 a.m. to noon at the Bain 50+ Center, Thursday, April 21st from 11:00 a.m. to noon at the Ellicott City 50+ Center and Monday, April 25th from 11:00 a.m. to noon at the North Laurel 50+ Center.

·      Please use the tools below to share MD Dept of VA resources:

MDVA 101 Video 

·      Elizabeth Dole Hope Fund gives financial relief to all eras of military and veteran caregivers through grants that provide high-impact financial assistance to prevent or address a significant crisis or to improve the quality of life of the family.

·       Challenge America Veteran Music Therapy

·      The Veterans Consortium (TVC) CLIENT SERVICES (Nationwide)

·      TVC FEDERAL VETERANS PRO BONO PROGRAM (Nationwide)

·      TVC LEGAL CLINIC PROGRAM (LCP) (DC Metro Area)

·      TVC DISCHARGE UPGRADE PROGRAM (Nationwide)

·      WOMEN VETERANS LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (WVLAP) (Nationwide)

·      VETERANS NATURALIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (VNAP) (Nationwide)

VNAP assists veterans applying for naturalization through military service. TVC volunteers are trained to assist veterans with their naturalization applications which involve gathering evidence, writing defenses when needed, and ensuring applications are properly completed. Practicing Immigration attorneys serve as Mentors to volunteers when needed. Contact:

·      New VBA online appointment scheduling system that was launched in January:

Howard County Behaviorial Health Referral Form for Clinicians, individuals seeking services or family members of those needing services

·      Self-Help Meetings and Resources

·      Veterans Yoga Project - Creating Space for Recovery: A webinar for veteran caregivers by Dr. Daniel Libby

·      Veteran and Military Families Resource Directory

·      NAMI Monthly Support Groups

·      Military Families United Resource List

·    Best Colleges/Scholarships for Military and Dependents

·   We are excited to announce that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is offering a sign-on bonus of $1,000* to eligible new hires at Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport. Full- and part-time Transportation Security Officer (TSO) positions are open starting at $19.13/hr + federal benefits. At TSA, we offer stability, growth potential and great federal benefits. No previous security experience is required.  https://jobs.tsa.gov/search/jobs?hiringpath%5Bpublic%5D=public&keyword=bwi&location=&op=Filter&utm_source=circa&utm_medium=epush&utm_campaign=tso_1000_bonus

·   Sr. Communications Specialist - Remote within 50 miles of Columbia, MD

·   VP, MoneyGuard - Underwriting & New Business, Ellicott City, MD

·   Howard County Government Jobs

·   Harper's Choice Community Association Facility Assistant - The Facility Assistant provides administrative and facility support to other staff for a variety of functions, both for Harper's Choice Community Association (HCCA) events and Kahler Hall programs and social events. This position is 20 hours per week and reports to the Facilities Manager. Here are samples of duties and responsibilities: Updates and monitor social media accounts, Answers phones and greets visitors, Refers callers and visitors to appropriate staff, Assists users of the facility, Performs clerical and administrative work as needed, including but not limited to filing, copying and assembling documents, Provides all prospective customers with tours, accurate information regarding facility availability, pricing and policies for all rental facilities, Books events, accepts payments for security deposits, rental fees and HOA documents, Assists staff and visitors during facility use. Applicants must be 21 years of age or older. Applicants should submit a resume to manager@harperschoice.org. Only qualified candidates will be contacted. No walk-ins or phone calls please.

·  Amanda Trice  - Workforce Development Veteran and Military Liaison 

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