Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Resource Guide

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon: A program initiated by the Minnesota National Guard. 

Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense organization. It is a staff group within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs (OASD/RA), which is in itself a part of the Office of the Secretary of Defense.  The ESGR's mission is to Gain and maintain active support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve.  For more information CLICK HERE or go to www.esgr.org

LIBERTY USO is the local affiliate for United Service Organizations (USO). Liberty USO provides free programs and services to military members and their families throughout southeast Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Relying solely on donations from individuals and corporations, Liberty USO directs the good wishes of the community by mobilizing hundreds of volunteers in significant ways to ensure troops are welcomed and farewelled, and their families are assisted in their absence. Among these efforts are the Liberty USO Airport Center, a respite for the weary military traveller at Philadelphia Airport, and programs such as Liberty USO Helping Hand (to assist with emergency needs) and Operation Ruby Slipper (to provide travel assistance). All Liberty USO services are free to service members and their families.

President & COO: Bob Baumann.  Office phone - 215.365.8889 
E-mail - bbaumann@libertyuso.org 
For more information click here: www.libertyuso.org.

RETURN TO HONOR is a three day workshop located at the Freedoms Foundation in historic Valley Forge, PA for veterans wanting to powerfully move through their combat experience and reintegration transition. This program is an opportunity for the individual to honor him/herself as a Veteran. Designed by combat veterans as a confidential experiential training and decompression retreat, it will bring the veteran to a new level of managing their life, career and family. Working with other combat veterans they gain coping skills, re-alignment and leadership experience. It is free to all veterans including meals and accommodations.

Curriculum Designer and Facilitator: Martin Richardson.
For more information click here: www.freedomandhonor.org

VET CAREER CONNECT is the collaboration of human resources consulting firm Caliper Corporation teaming up with Einstein's Alley (a NJ employers group) and Workforce OS. It allows veterans to take the online profile and then post their resume, military records, etc. on a database for employers to look for potential hires. For 46 years, Caliper Corp. has assessed the potential of more than 2.5 Million individuals for over 28,000 companies around the world, and has successfully matched thousands of these individuals in jobs leading to successful careers. Experience is discounted - Vet Career Connect says, "What we care about is what you are and your potential - not what you have done." It is free to all returning Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom Vets.

Program Manager, Caliper: Rick Roman

SOLDIER'S ANGELS was started by a self-described ordinary mother of an ordinary young man turned hero, Sgt. Brandon Varn. Brandon was deployed in Iraq and has since honorably completed his mission and has returned back to his proud and loving family. In the summer of 2003, he wrote home expressing his concern that some soldiers did not receive any mail or support from home. Being a caring and loving mother, she decided not to allow a situation like that to continue. She contacted a few friends and extended family to ask if they would write to a soldier or two. Within a few short months, Soldiers' Angels went from a mother writing a few extra letters to an Internet Community with thousands of angels worldwide.

For more information click here: www.soldiersangels.com

SAMARITAN HOSPICE is a not-for-profit organization that contributes to the health and well-being of our community. We provide unparalleled services with respect, dignity, and compassion for all people affected by serious, progressive illness or grief. Samaritan is the leader in hospice, palliative care, grief support, education, advocacy and other life-enhancing services.

For more information click here: www.samaritanhospice.org