Minority Veterans of America proudly presents the 6th Annual Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Summit: Legacy
History isn't something that simply happens to us. It's something we actively create. Every choice, every action...sends ripples into the future. For minority veterans, community providers, and allies who have already built a legacy of service and sacrifice, this is a call to action.
It's time to talk about the Legacy We Inherit, the Legacy We Build, and The Legacy We Leave.
This workshop will provide attendees with the knowledge and tools to advocate for themselves in the Disability Benefits Process, and empower them to seek out their entitlements. We’ll also discuss the difference it makes when you have tangible support & resources in the form of benefits, and how you can make the most of those to create the life you want to live post-service.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ― Margaret Mead.
Every major social transformation started with a few individuals being brave enough to ask for a change, and to actively work toward it. There are a variety of ways to create the world we want to see, and you have the freedom to find, and create, your place in the new system. In this session we’ll discuss how to figure out your role in redefining the future, and how to be brave enough to embody it.
Movement building requires focus, time, expertise, humility, willingness to learn, and lots and lots of energy. We can’t maintain these things if we fail to prioritize caring for ourselves and for our team members, so in that vein this session will discuss ways to best care for ourselves when the stakes are high. It will also focus on caring for others - prioritizing being proactive about community care and check ins for long term health.
This moment in time is unique, and challenging, but not necessarily unprecedented. In this workshop we’ll discuss ways for Trans service members to find hope, community, and support through a situation outside of their control. We'll talk about some of the history that led us here, and the future we aim to build. We will also provide some actionable tips to empower oneself and others, to successfully transition out of the military, and to build new connections and access comprehensive and identity specific resources.
The Housing crisis had already reached a critical point in 2020, and has unfortunately not improved since then. However, there are still avenues to access support and stability. In this workshop we will discuss the impacts of losing your housing, the national trends in housing availability, and the growing stigma toward those without stable shelter. We will also discuss best practices for supporting those in transition, resources through MVA, Washington state, and Nationally, and examine some examples of successful housing support programs.
This workshop will provide some pathways, examples, and ideas that help make an equitable community possible. This workshop will focus on storytelling and personal narrative as a way for perspectives from all community members to be recorded, shared, and used as a guide to create the legacy we want to leave behind. Telling our stories bolsters our resilience and resolve, and allows us to preserve history and lessons learned that will benefit the next generations.
This workshop will cover the concerning rise in veteran suicides and posit some of the reasons for that increase. We will also discuss strategies for effective prevention and support of those experiencing suicidal ideation, and learn warning signs and intervention strategies for those serving in roles where they might encounter suicidal clients.
Creating a movement doesn’t mean instant success - it takes intentional and consistent commitment to inclusion and transformation. There are many ways to create a healthy environment, and we’ll talk about a few recent useful tools to be actively in community with one another and accountable to our goals and our values. This workshop will focus on ways we can create and maintain cohesion and avoid replicating the exclusionary practices we’re working to transform.