Improve Support for Minority Veterans

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Sponsor: The Veterans Site

Help us bring attention to the ongoing efforts to increase funding for veterans' benefits, including expanded access to healthcare and job training programs.

As the United States continues to grapple with issues of racial inequality, one area that has received increased attention in recent years is the support and benefits provided to minority veterans. Despite their service and sacrifices¹, minority veterans have historically had less access to the resources and opportunities provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other government programs².

In an effort to address this disparity, lawmakers and veterans' advocacy groups have been pushing for increased funding for veterans' benefits, specifically for minority veterans. This includes expanding access to healthcare and job training programs that have been shown to be effective in helping veterans reintegrate into civilian life³.

One of the key areas of focus has been mental health care. According to a 2017 report from the VA, minority veterans are more likely to experience mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression⁴. In response, the VA has implemented new programs and initiatives aimed at increasing the availability of mental health care for minority veterans.

Another area of concern is job training and employment opportunities. In 2019, the unemployment rate for minority veterans was more than double that of non-minority veterans. To address this, the VA has launched new initiatives to help minority veterans find jobs in high-demand fields such as healthcare, technology, and construction⁵.

Despite these efforts, there is still much work to be done to ensure that minority veterans receive the support and benefits they have earned through their service.

The government and the veterans’ organizations are working together to improve the lives of minority veterans, by providing them with the resources they need to transition successfully to civilian life⁶. However, more funding is needed to ensure that these efforts are successful and sustainable in the long term.

Help make a difference by taking the pledge to support minority veterans!

More on this issue:

Asia Ashley, Dalton Daily Citizen (December 5 2021), "Feds probe lagging benefits for Black veterans."
Svetlana Shkolnikova, Stars and Stripes (19 January 2023), "Young and hard-to-reach veterans need better VA contact to access benefits, report says."
Patricia Kime, Military.com (1 February 2021), "The VA's Budget Has Quintupled in 20 Years. Veterans Groups Want Billions More."
Michele Spoont, David Nelson, Shannon Kehle-Forbes, Laura Meis, Maureen Murdoch, Craig Rosen, Nina Sayer, Psychological Services (10 May 2020), "Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Clinical Outcomes Six Months After Receiving a PTSD Diagnosis in Veterans Health Administration."
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor (19 March 2020), "Employment Situation Of Veterans — 2019."
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (6 March 2018), "Veterans."

The Pledge:

I understand that minority veterans have historically had less access to the resources and opportunities provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other government programs.

I pledge to advocate for efforts to increase funding for veterans' benefits for minority veterans, including expanded access to healthcare and job training programs:

Contact my elected representatives

I pledge to reach out to senators and congressmen, and let them know that I support increased funding for veterans' benefits, specifically for minority veterans.

Join a veterans' advocacy group

Organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion work to support veterans and their families by lobbying for better policies and more resources. By joining a veterans' advocacy group, I can add your voice to the conversation and help raise awareness about the needs of minority veterans.

Raise awareness in my community

I pledge to use social media, organize events, and write letters to the editor of local newspapers to raise awareness about the issues facing minority veterans.

Support veterans' businesses and organizations

I pledge to support veterans' businesses and organizations to help provide jobs and training opportunities for veterans.

Attend town hall meetings

I pledge to show up to town hall meetings and ask my representatives questions about their plans to increase funding for veterans' benefits, specifically for minority veterans.

Sign petitions

I pledge to sign petitions calling for increased funding for veterans' benefits, and encourage others to do the same.

Write to my local newspapers

I pledge to write to my local newspapers and raise awareness about the issues facing minority veterans.

Spread the word

I pledge to share information about veterans' benefits and the issues facing minority veterans with my family, friends, and social networks.

Volunteer

I pledge to volunteer at veterans' organizations, hospitals, and other veterans' service organizations. This will help to raise awareness about the needs of minority veterans and provide direct support to veterans.