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Soldiers’ Angels Sacramento VA Community Team Blog
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Military Veterans Group of Folsom
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The State of California has 36 prisons each with an inmate population of approximately 160 veterans. In 2007, a State mandate required self-help organizations be formed to support the inmates.
The Military Veterans Group of Folsom was created by sponsor Kawatha Geter, Supervising Correctional Cook at Folsom State Prison. After researching non-profit organizations that they might work with to help veterans, they came up with a list of 10 groups. This was narrowed down to 3 and after more research and interviews, they chose Soldiers’ Angels.
On January 15, 2008, I received a telephone call from Kawatha introducing me to the group with an offer to donate to our work on behalf of veterans. |
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Imagine my consternation as I set down the receiver and tried to figure out how we could work together. When we began our Northern California VA Community Team to support veterans, we planned to help the wounded and homeless. But to be honest, incarcerated veterans were not on the horizon. We had no idea what we could do to help them and a lot of Angels urged great caution before proceeding.
To determine what their needs might be, I thought it would be useful to ask the Folsom vets to fill out a 4-page survey… well, was I ever wrong! It took almost four months before I received approval to attend MVGF meetings after passing background checks. When I attended my first meeting, I quickly learned that the veterans wanted nothing from Soldiers’ Angels… they wanted to help veterans!! Like every honorable veteran I have ever met, they didn’t want anything for themselves; they only want to help others whom they feel are more deserving.
The group consists of approximately 45 veterans of all ages, from all military branches. I attend one meeting each month barring unforeseen circumstances like a lock-down which will cancel a meeting. They begin by introducing themselves and listing their military affiliation followed by a prayer for all those who have passed or have been wounded in service to our country. Their work and enthusiasm is infectious. Together, we have developed a program that includes: · Support of the Soldiers’ Angels Northern California Athletic Scholarship Fund for Veterans with Disabilities · Introspective Reflections—each veteran is writing their story to help others returning home to not repeat the mistakes that put them behind bars. Life lessons that we will publish on our website. · Exercise Programs—a veteran is developing martial arts exercises to help wounded warriors. We will publish those exercises on our website. · VA Benefits Information & Assistance—Soldiers’ Angels provides veterans with information regarding their VA benefits and pensions · Family Support—Soldiers’ Angels provides veterans’ families with support on an as-needed basis. · Special Projects & Fund Raisers
Check back often to read news of our efforts to help our local veterans! You’ll be as impressed as I am with the terrific work done by the veterans of the Military Veterans Group of Folsom…
1. Soldiers’ Angels Northern California Athletic Scholarship Fund Receives $3,878.31 Donation from MVGF
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Our military makes a pledge to leave no soldier behind on the battlefield. As a Nation, let our pledge be that we will leave no veteran behind when they return home. |
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Presenting the check to Soldiers’ Angels are MVGF member Shelby Deville; Kawatha Geter, Supervising Correctional Cook & the group’s sponsor; Louise Stanley of Soldiers’ Angels; Karim Noujaim, Associate Warden; David Tuggle, MVGF member; Arthur Gee, MVGF Chairman; and MVGF members David Chesneau and Gilbert Fuentes. |
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They raised all this money by conducting a food sale at the prison!!! They’ve challenged the Community to top their efforts… just incredible!
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