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Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs

Friday Digest: May 16, 2025



This week:

* Work at MDVA [ #link_1 ]
* Memorial Day Programs at State Veterans Cemeteries [ #link_17 ]
* Minnesota Military Radio - Tune in this Weekend [ #link_10 ]
* May Is Mental Health Month [ #link_8 ]
* 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 30)
* Registered Nurse, part-time [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 22)
* Food Service Worker, part-time [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 27)
* Resident Assistant, part-time [ [link removed] ] (multiple openings, application deadline May 27)

Fergus Falls

* 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)

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)
* Veteran Health Navigator Supervisor [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 21)
* Registered Nurse [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 20)
* Housekeeper [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 20)
* Housekeeper, part-time [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 19)

Preston

* Licensed Practical Nurse, intermittent [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 28)
* Lead Certified Nursing Assistant, part-time [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 19)

Silver Bay

* Licensed Practical Nurse, part-time [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 28)
* Registered Nurse - Supervisor [ [link removed] ] (application deadline May 23)
* Human Services Technician/Certified Nursing Assistant, part-time [ [link removed] ]
(multiple openings, application deadline May 27)

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

Minnesota Military Radio - Tune in this Weekend

Minnesota MIlitary Radio

For over 15 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 67 broadcasting stations throughout the state of Minnesota, and broadcasted nationally on the Wreaths Across America Radio Network, 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 explore how the Magnus Veterans Foundation [ [link removed] ] supports Veterans and their families, connect with the administrator of the Preston Veterans Cemetery from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs [ [link removed] ], and get the latest from the Minneapolis VA Health Care System [ [link removed] ].

 

More information >> [ [link removed] ]



May Is Mental Health Month

When your mental health is off, it is important to find the help that is right for you. Where you go for help will depend on what is happening within your life. Often the best place to start is to talk with those that you already have connections with, including your friends and family, you primary care doctor, spiritual advisor or local mental health organizations.

Help can be found across many places and depends on what type of support that you may need. It can start with participating in some self-care, or engage with friends, family or someone else to talk to help you process, find a distraction or problem solve. If the problems in your life are stopping you from functioning well or feeling good, professional help can make a big difference. Even if you're not sure that you'd benefit from help, it can't hurt to explore the possibility.

Engaging in formal services can help you:


* Develop plans for solving problems.
* Feel stronger in the face of challenges.
* Change behaviors that hold you back.
* Look at ways of thinking that affect how you feel.
* Heal pains from your past.
* Think about your goals.
* Build self-confidence.

"Information provided by the Minnesota Department of Health. Learn more ""here" [ [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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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs · Veterans Service Building, 2nd Floor · 20 West 12th Street · Saint Paul, MN 55155-2006 · 651-296-2562 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]