August 2021
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In this edition:
Programs and services
Mental Health support for Afghanistan Veterans
If you or a loved one are having difficulty coping with the news of the fall of Panjwaii in Afghanistan, mental health supports are available to you. You are not alone. You can call the VAC Assistance Service at 1-800-268-7709 to speak to a mental health professional. It is free and available 24/7.
You can learn about additional mental health resources on the VAC website. You can also hear from the Acting Chief of Defense Staff on the situation in the Maple Leaf.
Veterans served—and sacrificed—in the war in Afghanistan. Long after Canada’s combat role in the country ended, the mission continues to touch those who served in the region and their families.
We will continue to honour and remember their sacrifices.
New employment tool for Veterans
A new online tool can connect you directly with employers looking for the skills gained through military service.
The recently launched Hire a Veteran LinkedIn group is for Veterans and CAF members preparing to release, who are seeking career opportunities directly with employers.
Public service and private sector organizations have begun posting jobs to the group, looking specifically for employees with the types of skills gained through military service.
Join the group and stay tuned for regular postings. Veterans and military members looking for new careers can also create a LinkedIn personal account and follow the Veterans Affairs Canada LinkedIn page for information about webinars, career fairs and other opportunities to connect with employers.
More options for education and training support
The Education and Training Benefit now offers more funding options for Veterans pursuing technical education.
As of 30 June 2021, Veterans may receive funding for courses shorter than 12 weeks that meet all other technical education funding requirements. To qualify, courses must be:
- offered by a recognized institution
- offered to the Canadian public
- conducted online or in a public forum, and
- publicly advertised.
This change means more flexible funding options for technical education in fields like heavy equipment operations, professional driver training, safety and rescue training and others.
Funding for completed technical education courses cannot be approved retroactively, but students are encouraged to apply for upcoming periods of study.
For more information, have a look at the Technical Education section of the Education and Training Benefit FAQs.
Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund
Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund accepting new applications for funding
If you are part of a private, public or academic organization wishing to do research or create a project to improve the lives of Veterans and their families, are invited once again to submit new applications for funding from the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund, to create projects or conduct research.
Applicants should submit projects that focus on supporting Veterans during the post‑COVID‑19 recovery, including addressing homelessness, unemployment, retraining, and health challenges. Veterans Affairs Canada welcomes applications from equity-seeking groups that serve women and LGBTQ2+ Veterans.
The Government of Canada has committed $15 million over the next three years to the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund. Check out our funding guidelines and apply. Applications will be accepted until 1 October 2021.
Did you know?
Since 2018, the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund has provided more than $25 million to help over 60 organizations improve the lives of Veterans and their families. These organizations work to address issues and concerns of Veterans in areas like homelessness, mental health, the transition to post-service life, supporting women Veterans, and more.
Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund supports new initiatives
The Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund (VFWF) continues to support initiatives that advance the well‑being of the Veteran community. This summer, Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, announced funding for more organizations that are working to improve the lives of Veterans and their families.
You can find all the details on the organizations that have received VFWF support on Veterans Affairs’ Funding Recipients – 2021 page.
Veteran success story
“Re-tooling” your career
Many of those who release from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) worry that their military skills and experience won’t count for much when they start a new, post-service career. Certainly that was on the mind of Reserve Sergeant Drew Semper. But after releasing from the Regular Force as an avionics technician, he grew his skillset and is now an electrician’s apprentice in the private sector.
Drawing from his own experience, he has some advice for CAF members approaching release from service.
Read Drew’s full story and advice.
Commemoration
Faces of Freedom podcast returns
Our Faces of Freedom podcast is back this summer, with a new series focused on the experiences of Canadian peacekeepers. Every Tuesday in August, we’ll release a new episode. We’ll feature those who’ve served on peacekeeping missions around the world, in places like the Balkans, East Timor and many more.
You can subscribe through your favourite podcasting app by searching for Faces of Freedom, or check out our podcast webpage.
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Royal Canadian Legion, US Branch #25 