WELCOME
The BLACK VETERANS ASSOCIATION OF NEW MEXICO (BVANM) is an independently operating 501c(19) non-profit organization who has teamed up with the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR BLACK VETERANS (NABVETS) to support its membership. The Albuquerque Chapter of NABVETS was officially chartered in April 2008. As a non-profit association of War Veterans of the United States Military, BAVNM was created with a legislative arm to effect policies and benefits that effect veterans within the state of New Mexico. By teaming with the NABVETS, the membership can now benefit from the support of a respected national organization. NABVETS, a 501c(3) non-profit, is nationally recognized for its advocacy for family and youth empowerment, and community development.. NABVETS has served as a leader to address the unmet concerns of
minority and low-income veterans through direct services, empowerment
training and collaborative partnerships; and in the service design to
address the “holistic” issues of homelessness among veterans. Together these organizations form a strong basis for assisting needy veterans and their families with claims benefits, veteran-owned business consulting services, youth educational and development scholarship, equity in medical services, and promoting women veteran issues.
Although our primary purpose is to process veteran claims for benefits, all these areas of need are important and we are establishing standing committees to address each one. Our common focus for 2008 has been to help homeless veterans. We recognize the great need in this area and they are thus appropriate recipients of our assistance.
GOALS FOR 2008
Increase NABVETS membership by 25 members by 12/31/08
Raise $10,000+ in donations/sponsorships
Complete two certifications of Veteran Service Officer benefit claims training
Support the Oct 2008 NABVETS National Conference in Seattle with two members
- Kick off the NABVETS Go-Green Recycle program to collect used cell phones
Ask How Can You Help?
- Become an active member. Members from all ethnic
backgrounds are welcome if you are willing to assist in the promotion of
positive lifestyles for all veterans, their families, and the entire
community, with a special emphasis on the unmet needs of minority veterans.
- Sponsor a 30-minute membership event at your
organization where we make a 10-minute presentation about our
organization, answer questions, and accept membership applications.
- Provide a cash donation to help us with
·
Covering
the cost of attending national conference
·
Acquiring
raffle items to run fundraisers for homeless veterans
·
Assisting
in community activities such bingo events at the VA Hospital
·
Providing
funding for educational scholarships for our youth programs
- Partner with us to recycle by kicking off our new Cell Phone
Fundraising Program. We are asking organizations to participate by
initiating an internal collection drive in your office to collect unused
cell phones, and by spreading the word about the benefits of donating.
Here are three reasons why we think you'll want to get involved:
·
You
will be expanding your own initiative to Go-Green
·
Donations
of your unwanted cell phones can mean support for our organization
·
You
will be giving old technology new life and keeping it from polluting our
landfills
Yes, but check this out...
With an estimated 400,000 veterans homeless at some time during the year, the VA reaches 25% of those in need ... leaving 300,000 veterans who must seek assistance from local government agencies and service organizations in their communities. That means organizations like ours and people like you who care.
