BAY VETERANS FOUNDATION

BAY VETERANS FOUNDATION

“Helping Veterans Help Themselves”

Preserving a Legacy Enriching the Community Inspiring Honorable Service

Bay Veterans Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded to provide financial support and in-kind assistance to qualified members of the United States Armed Forces and to United States military veterans and military service organizations.

The Foundation is approved to support patriotic programs which directly or indirectly benefit or honor active duty United States military personnel and veterans and to assist organizations which promote American values and traditions.

The Foundation may also provide direct support to needy or deserving veterans, and may render financial assistance and in-kind support to non-profit military veteran organizations in good standing to assist in conducting programs and projects for the benefit of U.S. military veterans and their families. The Foundation plans to initiate, conduct and partner with other non-profit charitable organizations in providing veteran services, including but not limited to housing, job training, employment counseling, daily activities, communication and explanation of veterans benefits.

Current Programs and Activities

BVF is working to establish a Veterans Support Group in partnership with the Dow Family Y. Scheduled meetings will provide information at the grass roots level as to what veterans may qualify for regarding opportunities. May 2017 is the target date for start-up.

BVF was the fund raising and coordinating partner for the Battery Park Project. Battery Park was a non-descript property restored to high visibility, and historic significance. Together with the City of Bay, the County of Bay, and the Bay County Library System this area bisected by Center Avenue now boasts replica cannon from the Civil War era, an informational kiosk, and significant landscaping improvements. Phase II development is in the planning stage.

BVF is working to initiate a Veterans Art Contest and is in discussion with Studio 23 in Bay City to accomplish this activity.

Working with the Bay County Soldiers and Sailors Relief Commission veterans who seek assistance are being identified to become part of a casual labor pool to assist others in the community.

BVF is partnering with the Hershel “Woody” Williams Medal of Honor Foundation to bring a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument to the Bay Area in honor and remembrance of Michigan families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

BVF has partnered with the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation to host and coordinate Character Development in-service programs for teachers and community leaders in the Saginaw Valley area. It plans to conduct the first character development program for K – 6 teachers for incorporation in classrooms in 2018.

BVF supports the Children’s Library International, an American veteran-driven organization that has built over 30 libraries in the poorest villages of Laos, Cambodia, and Viet Nam. In the Fall of 2016 one of the BVF board members personally traveled to these countries to present ten Bay Veterans Foundation scholarships to students in Nam Dong, Viet Nam.

In November 2016, the BVF spearheaded the placement of a lighted Christmas Tree in Battery Park to serve as a reminder of the service men and women who are absent and unable to spend holidays, birthdays, and sometimes funerals of loved ones.

BVF has partnered with the Saginaw Spirit Hockey Club to sponsor Military Appreciation Night, and to recognize the Veteran of the Game. Efforts are underway to initiate a similar recognition program with the Great Lakes Loons baseball club.

Upon completion of two significant projects in Bay City – Renovation and Re-dedication of Battery Park (2016) and Construction and Dedication of the Michigan Gold Star Families Memorial Monument (2017) – funds were raised for the purchase of a building near the downtown area. BVF is now back to the original reason it was created – to establish the Bay Area Veterans Workshop & Learning Center.

Based on the experience of our board members (a majority who are military veterans of the Viet Nam War), and interaction with those who served more recently in Iraq and/or Afghanistan, assimilation back into the civilian world remains a challenge.

Upon returning home most veterans find their military training often doesn’t transfer into a civilian job. Many find the transition from a structured, disciplined environment becomes one of chaos, uncertainty, and frequently the loss of camaraderie.

A Workshop/Learning Center will allow opportunity for more productive use of time, fellowship with those who ‘understand’ feelings not readily expressed to others, and time and a place to make the transformation back to the “real world”.

BENEFITS FOR VETERANS AND THE COMMUNITY

- Development of self-confidence and ability for self-expression
- Opportunity to develop new interests and skills
- Opportunity to regain camaraderie and become a team player
- Opportunity to become more productive
- Opportunity to serve as a mentor
- Opportunity for homeless veterans to find day-time shelter and an alternative to continued hopelessness
- Development of a sense of belonging
- An opportunity to learn of VA programs and access benefits
- A partnership with the Saginaw VA Mental Health annex for those veterans diagnosed and suffering PTSD, depression, etc.
- Addition to the network of community human resource agencies and providers
- Ted Talk Tuesdays
- Soup Group Thursdays
- STEM Time Saturdays (Basic introduction classes for local neighborhood kids, members of the Boys & Girls Club, Girl and Boy Scout Troops)
- Foreclosed or dilapidated houses for Learning Labs
- Special programs for women veterans
- Re-connection with the community
- Availability for US Coast Guard personnel, Michigan National Guard and Army Reserve Units

Updated December 2021