MN National Guard Family Programs

October 2022

Who we are

Minnesota National Guard Family Programs coordinates with state, federal, and contract personnel to connect our service members, veterans, and their families to resources that help meet their needs. We promote awareness and self-reliance in our service members and their military family members by preparing, assisting, and supporting them throughout their military service. To learn more, visit our new Family Program webpage.

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Chaska company receives Beyond the Yellow Ribbon recognition

Tokyo Electron Limited (TEL) was recognized as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon company at a proclamation event Sept. 14 in Chaska for its efforts in supporting military veterans and service members.

"Tokyo Electron Limited joins Minnesota companies from across the state that have received Yellow Ribbon designation," said Army Brig. Gen. Stefanie Horvath of the Minnesota National Guard. "They have made a commitment to actively implement measures that support our service members and their families. We are grateful for their dedication."

"Our support for these individuals is both the right thing to do as part of our TEL FOR GOOD volunteerism program and beneficial to our business in the form of employing high-quality team members with military backgrounds," said Mark Dougherty, TEL president and general manager.

Through its community and corporate partnerships, the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, known as BTYR, program's community network provides veterans, service members, and their families in all branches a wide range of support, including deployment readiness, family assistance and resources, youth programs, and more.

BTYR and the Minnesota National Guard value these partnerships as they are key to the military community's well-being and service members' ability to complete their mission. They also highlight the skills and experiences veterans and service members bring to any organization.

“We believe that connecting with the veteran workforce can help us with a talent challenge in our industry," said Larry Smith, veteran and TEL U.S. chairman of the board. "We feel a veteran brings great attributes, leadership, discipline, and teamwork to our company."

See the media coverage on the BTYR page on Facebook.

Prime Therapeutics was proclaimed a BTYR company Oct. 18 and St. Paul College will receive the same recognition Oct. 28. Articles about these proclamations will be included in the November e-newsletter.

New team members join Beyond The Yellow Ribbon

Two new individuals joined the Minnesota Beyond The Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) team recently. Stefanie Hurt, Northern Minnesota Yellow Ribbon Outreach Coordinator (YROC), and Cristina Oxtra, BTYR Public Affairs Coordinator, both joined the team in July.

The new Southern Minnesota YROC Shawn Powell and new BTYR Corporate Outreach Coordinator Taylor Kristoffe-Jones will be featured in the November newsletter.

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Stefanie focuses on the BTYR network in the northern regions and portions of the metro. Stefanie is experienced in program management and working with volunteers. She works at Camp Ripley Training Center at the TACC in the Family Programs office. She was born and raised in Minnesota, grew up on a farm in rural Ottertail, and she and her family enjoy the outdoors. Her husband is currently a National Guard service member.

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Cristina coordinates communications for BTYR and assists Family Programs. She works at the Public Affairs office at the Cottage Grove Armory. Cristina served as an Air Force public affairs officer in active duty and Reserve. She is a children's book author and former journalist and is experienced in corporate communications, education, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her husband served as an Air Force logistics officer.

Meals from the Heart encourages donations, participation

Beyond The Yellow Ribbon Hugo, MN Network and Building Healthy Military Communities have teamed up with Meals From The Heart for a second year to help Minnesota service members and their families stretch their grocery budget. In 2021, Meals from the Heart delivered more than 20 tons of groceries to military families. The organization expects the need for more grocery deliveries to increase this year. Anyone who would like to help or request to receive groceries can visit the Meals from the Heart website.

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Soldier Family Readiness supporting military community

Soldier and Family Readiness Specialists (SFRS) are dispersed throughout the state of Minnesota to offer resources, referrals, and support to the Minnesota National Guard.

The SFRS provide support and services for service members, family members, and unit command and are 100 percent confidential. They also provide access to financial resources, crisis intervention, military and community resources, legal resources, Tricare resources, military parent/youth resources, exceptional family member program, deployment support, and Soldier and Family Readiness Groups. For more information, e-mail Minnesota Soldier Family Readiness.

Service members can request Thanksgiving help

Minnesota National Guard Family Programs and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon will distribute meal stretcher boxes and turkeys during the week of Nov. 21 to various locations across the state. Service members in need of additional support for their family for the Thanksgiving holiday are encouraged to complete and submit a request form. See the flyer or click on this link. Sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis. Request forms must be submitted by Nov. 14.

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Minnesota offers 9/11 service bonus

The 2022 Legislature passed and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed the first-ever Veterans Omnibus Bill that included funding for a service bonus payable to eligible veterans who served from Sept. 11, 2001 to Aug. 30, 2021.

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is facilitating this program for eligible veterans, currently serving service members, or veterans’ beneficiaries.

WHEN: The application period began July 7, 2022. The last day to apply is June 30, 2024, unless the funds have been exhausted before then.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Veterans, currently serving service members, neterans’ beneficiaries, or Veterans’ guardians, conservators or legally appointed personal representatives. Veterans in Minnesota are defined under Minnesota statute 197.447. Visit the website for more details.

AMOUNT: There are three tiers of the Post-9/11 Veteran Service Bonus: $600, $1,200 and $2,000. Visit the website for more details.

HOW TO APPLY: The online application is located at VetServiceBonus.mdva.mn.gov. For more information or to apply, visit MinnesotaVeteran.org/ServiceBonus. Anyone with questions can contact their local County Veterans Service Officer at MACVSO.org or call LinkVet at 1-888-LinkVet.

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Volunteers sought for special event

Volunteers are needed for the 2022 Bikes for Kids Holiday Party at the St. Paul River Center on Dec. 15. The registration to receive a bike is closed. However, volunteers are needed to assist the event. Visit the United Heroes League website for more information.