The MACV Foundation advocates in public and private settings to advance support for public or private projects or programs to provide reintegration and readjustment services for recently returned veterans and their families – as well as for families of members of the U.S. Armed Forces currently deployed.

Many of these meetings take place in one-to-one and in small group settings. Some take place in public settings. The following outline is from the introductory portion of a presentation given at the Arizona Senate Committee on Veteran and Military Affairs on January 13, 2010. This presentation was given by officers of the Foundation and it included personal testimony and a reminder to the committee of the economic benefits veterans completing their college education provide to the State of Arizona.

Board President Jerry Walker informed the Committee about the economic benefits provided by veterans using their G.I. bill to complete their college education. He also recounted his experiences in the USN and in higher education. We all benefit, he told the Committee, when veterans enter into and complete their college education or post-secondary training.

Board Treasurer Doug Brown illustrated the benefits of veteran supportive campuses for the Committee by recounting his experiences in college after his military service in the USMC. His anecdotes spoke to how our many in our country in the recent past forgot about veterans when they came home and attempted to reintegrate back into society - into higher education. He told the Committee that the MACV Foundation plans to mobilize America's commitment to its veterans – particularly through the establishment of veteran supportive campuses throughout Arizona and beyond.

Board member James Elizondo – recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq – testified before the committee concerning his experiences as a US Army National Guardsmen and as an Arizona university student. Mr. Elionozo suggested specific ways Arizona's campuses could be more supportive to military and veteran students.

Senator Jack Harper is a USANG Veteran. He chairs the Arizona Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. During the MACV Foundation Presentation, members of the Committee expressed support for the Foundation's mission, asked thoughtful questions about homeless veterans, and provided constructive suggestions as to how the Foundation can truly represent all of Arizona's veterans – also Native Americans from tribal communities and Indian Nations.

MACV Foundation

Status & History

 Incorporated in State of Arizona

 IRS 501 c 3 – charitable organization

 Launched with Board of Directors of 14, a CEO, and an Advisory Council in December, 2009
 
 Members are veterans and non-veterans

Vision

 Support for those who defended us.

 "After wars' end, soldiers once again become civilians and return to their families to try to pick up where they left off. It is this process of readjustment that has more often than not been ignored by society."

-- Major Robert H. Stretch, Ph.D

Mission

 The mission of the MACV Foundation is to address the reintegration and readjustment needs of returning veterans and their families – and to assist families of members of the armed services currently deployed.

Principles

 Listen first

 Collaborate wherever possible

 Avoid redundancy

 Especially favor private sector support

 Remain open to private-public partnerships

Key Directions

 Advocacy

 Information, Referral & Assistance
 Public and Private Resources for Veterans Directory
 Emergency funds for veteran and military families
 Special emphasis: women veterans

 Promotion of veteran and military-friendly schools and colleges
 Initial Veteran-friendly Orientation Course and First Semester Curriculum taught by veterans
 Resource | Study Centers
 Cohorts - social-emotional & informational peer support
 Training for veteran-friendly campuses and schools

Goals

 Assess needs of Arizona’s schools, colleges and universities

 Incorporate best practices from other states and offer pilot projects in a child care center, elementary school, high school and college.

 Use retention success rate data and lessons learned to support veteran and military–friendly schools and colleges - statewide.

 Promote and support veteran-friendly campuses and schools beginning in Maricopa County, and then Arizona and then nationwide.

Community Advisors
list in formation, needs assessment in process

 Arizona Coalition for Veterans and Families
 Arizona Community Foundation
 Arizona Department of Veterans Services
 Brain Injury Association of Arizona
 Brain Injury Association of Oregon
 Justa Center (Phoenix)
 Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation
 Maricopa Association of Governments
 MACV Advisory Council
 Pat Tillman Foundation
 Veterans Medical Leadership Council (Phoenix)
 Veterans Upward Bound (ASU)
 VetsUSA (Phoenix)
 Veterans’ Reintegration & Education Project (U of A)
 Washington (State) Dept. of Veteran Affairs