The White House Blog: Dr. Jill Biden
First Lady Michelle Obama Talks with Faith and Community Leaders About Joining Forces
Posted by on May 19, 2011 at 3:05 PM EDTWe are fresh off an inspiring call yesterday with First Lady Michelle Obama and over 1,800 faith and community leaders from across the country who gathered to discuss Joining Forces, an initiative started by the First Lady and Dr. Biden to support our nation's military families. The call focused on how congregations and community groups can participate, and several faith leaders shared their ongoing work to support military families and veterans.
The purpose of Joining Forces, the First Lady noted, is to lift up and share that good work, and to invite others to join, expand or initiate efforts to support military families. Leading up to Memorial Day weekend, the First Lady and Joshua DuBois, director of the White House Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnership Office, mentioned several specific ways that faith and community groups can get involved in Joining Forces. Mrs. Obama pointed out you don't necessarily have to be an expert in military family issues to make a difference, highlighting some of the ways community leaders can get involved: You can build on what you already do best, whether it’s family counseling programs that you already have. Maybe you have a youth ministry or a career mentoring program that’s already in existence. And you can work and ensure that you’re helping families in your congregations and in your communities. Here are some of the ideas that were discussed:
- Ensure that existing ministries and services are accessible to military families and veterans.
- Start a new ministry or service for military families or veterans, or partner with an existing program in your community.
- Coordinate a once-a-year fair, an event or some kind of service activity that’s focused on military families.
- Help raise awareness about the issues and challenges that military families and veterans face, as well as their service and strengths that some of their neighbors may not fully be aware of.
Speakers on the call shared eloquently about the practical ways that congregations and community groups can partner with existing efforts, replicate successful programs, or ensure that their own programs reach military families and veterans in their community. Candy Hill with Catholic Charities USA, discussed the work of her local parish to help military families who had an injured family member. Chaplain Colonel William Sean Lee with the Maryland National Guard talked about the Partners in Care initiative which coordinates support for Maryland National Guard members during times of crisis or need. We look forward to sharing more stories about the work faith and community leaders are doing around the country to support military families.
Alexia Kelley is the Deputy Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
Email whpartnerships@who.eop.gov to stay connected with the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
Joining Forces with Faith and Community Leaders
Posted by on May 18, 2011 at 9:35 AM EDTServing others is a common theme among many faith traditions and is intricately woven into the fabric of our great nation. The brave men and women of our nation’s military and their families serve us daily and make great sacrifices to do so. They deserve to be cared for at home, after they have fought to protect our freedoms.
In keeping with our commitment to care for our service men and women, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden have started the Joining Forces Initiative. Joining Forces is a comprehensive national initiative to mobilize all sectors of society to give our service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned. So many faith-based and community organizations are already supporting military families and veterans in countless sways. Through Joining Forces, we want to support your ongoing good work and invite more faith and community groups to get involved in military family and veterans issues.
Joining Forces with Faith and Community Leaders
Posted by on May 18, 2011 at 9:29 AM EDTServing others is a common theme among many faith traditions and is intricately woven into the fabric of our great nation. The brave men and women of our nation’s military and their families serve us daily and make great sacrifices to do so. They deserve to be cared for at home, after they have fought to protect our freedoms.
In keeping with our commitment to care for our service men and women, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden have started the Joining Forces Initiative. Joining Forces is a comprehensive national initiative to mobilize all sectors of society to give our service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned. So many faith-based and community organizations are already supporting military families and veterans in countless sways. Through Joining Forces, we want to support your ongoing good work and invite more faith and community groups to get involved in military family and veterans issues.
Inspiring Americans to Recognize and Reach out to our Military Families
Posted by on May 12, 2011 at 11:56 AM EDTCross-posted from JoiningForces.gov.
Ed. Note: May is Military Appreciation Month. Find ways to show your support for our service members and their families at JoiningForces.gov.
At an event last week, I was wearing my dress uniform and dozens of people made the effort to thank me for my service to our country. After close to two decades in the United States Army I am used to being recognized, but on the eve of Mother’s Day I couldn’t help but think of those who rarely if ever get thanked for their service and the sacrifices they have made on our Nation’s behalf.
I thought of my Mom, a young Army wife during the Vietnam War who saw her husband off just two months after my sister’s birth. My mom never wore a uniform but that didn’t mean she didn’t have to raise a child alone for a year, nor did it mean that she wouldn’t be responsible for packing and picking up a household twelve times over twenty years. She did all of that, in addition to being a tireless volunteer on behalf of other military families. It was probably because she made Army life seem so rewarding, despite the instability, that my sister and I both joined the service.
First Lady Michelle Obama addresses military spouses, relatives and friends in the East Room of the White House for a Mother's Day Tea Party May 6, 2011. Dr. Jill Biden stands at right. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
Inspiring Americans to Recognize and Reach out to our Military Families
Posted by on May 12, 2011 at 11:56 AM EDTEd. Note: May is Military Appreciation Month. Find ways to show your support for our service members and their families at JoiningForces.gov.
At an event last week, I was wearing my dress uniform and dozens of people made the effort to thank me for my service to our country. After close to two decades in the United States Army I am used to being recognized, but on the eve of Mother’s Day I couldn’t help but think of those who rarely if ever get thanked for their service and the sacrifices they have made on our Nation’s behalf.
I thought of my Mom, a young Army wife during the Vietnam War who saw her husband off just two months after my sister’s birth. My mom never wore a uniform but that didn’t mean she didn’t have to raise a child alone for a year, nor did it mean that she wouldn’t be responsible for packing and picking up a household twelve times over twenty years. She did all of that, in addition to being a tireless volunteer on behalf of other military families. It was probably because she made Army life seem so rewarding, despite the instability, that my sister and I both joined the service.
First Lady Michelle Obama addresses military spouses, relatives and friends in the East Room of the White House for a Mother's Day Tea Party May 6, 2011. Dr. Jill Biden stands at right. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
"We and the Entire Nation Are So Proud Of All Of You": Mother's Day with the First Lady and Dr. Biden
Posted by on May 8, 2011 at 2:40 PM EDTFor a group of military spouses, this Mother's Day will be one they never forget. First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden hosted a special Mother's Day tea to show their appreciation and thanks.
Military Spouse Appreciation Day
Posted by on May 6, 2011 at 12:05 PM EDTEd. Note: Watch the First Lady and Dr. Biden deliver remarks at a Military Spouse Appreciation Day and Mother's Day event at the White House at 3:15 p.m. EDT on WhiteHouse.gov/live on May 3, 2011.
As President Obama stated in a proclamation, "On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, let us join together to show our service members we are taking care of their families back home as they serve our Nation across the globe."
Last month, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden launched Joining Forces, a national campaign to support our service members and their families. This morning, Dr. Biden sent this message to encourage all Americans to express their gratitude on Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Mothers Day, and everyday.
Check out the email below, and be sure to sign up for the Joining Forces email list to stay up to date on the initiative.
Good Morning,
This afternoon the First Lady and I will have the honor of welcoming a special group of women to the White House to celebrate Military Spouse Appreciation Day and Mother’s Day.
As a proud military mom and grandmother -- this day is especially meaningful to me, and always feel honored to be in the presence of our service members and their families.
In our travels, the First Lady and I have been privileged to meet so many heroes - from the moms who keep their families together while their loved ones are serving overseas -- to the grandparents who step in with much-needed support -- to the siblings and children who are strong and brave while mom or dad is away.
Military Spouse Appreciation Day
Posted by on May 5, 2011 at 6:03 PM EDTMay 6th, 2011 is Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Visit JoiningForces.gov to find out how you can get involved and support military families in your community.
President Obama has proclaimed May 6, 2011, Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Earlier this year, the Obama Administration released a report to bring together resources from across Government to support and engage military families. Through the Joining Forces initiative, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden are working to spark action from all sectors of society to address the unique challenges of military families. "On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we have an opportunity to not only honor the husbands and wives of our service members, but also thank them by actively expressing our gratitude in both word and deed."
Here's the proclamation:
Military spouses serve as steady and supportive partners to the heroes in uniform who protect and defend our great Nation every day. Across America and around the world, military spouses serve our country in their own special way, helping families and friends through the stress of a deployment, caring for our wounded warriors, and supporting each other when a loved one has made the ultimate sacrifice.
Our service members and their families seldom ask for support or recognition. They carry out their duties to family and country with the quiet courage and strength that has always exemplified the American spirit. On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we have an opportunity to not only honor the husbands and wives of our service members, but also thank them by actively expressing our gratitude in both word and deed.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden Visit Sesame Street
Posted by on May 2, 2011 at 11:00 AM EDTFirst Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden recently stopped by Sesame Street to tape Joining Forces Public Service Announcements asking all Americans to support our military families. Learn more about Sesame's military families project.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden visit Sesame Street as part of the "Joining Forces" Initiative and Sesame's military families project, to tape Public Service Announcements asking all Americans to support our military families. © 2011 Sesame Workshop. Photo by Richard Termine.
The Joining Forces initiative aims to educate, challenge and spark action from sectors of society to ensure military families have the support they have earned. To help support our military families with young children, Sesame Street launched Talk, Listen, Connect in 2006. With the help of Elmo and his furry and friendly friends, Sesame Street has provided resources and support to military families with multi-media outreach kits, a social media website, Emmy nominated primetime tv specials, a traveling worldwide tour with the USO, and these newest PSA's.
Joining Forces to Put Military Families First
Posted by on April 27, 2011 at 11:15 AM EDTOver the last two weeks, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden have been traveling the country to publicize the launch of their Joining Forces initiative. From North Carolina and Virginia to Colorado and California, the First Lady and Dr. Biden have taken part in events that highlight the amazing work everyday Americans are doing to help America's military families.
This weekend, PARADE magazine interviewed them about Joining Forces. They talked about why they chose to focus on military families, and what their goals are for getting Americans involved:
PARADE: If Americans rally around our military families, what do you think this new connectiveness could do for us as a country?
JILL BIDEN: It would create a lot of patriotism, you know, that feeling I had as a child. We just need to say to America, “Wake up. You need to support these families and we need to lift them up and really value them.”
MICHELLE OBAMA: And the truth is, I think that’s how most Americans feel.
Be sure to read the whole interview and find out more.
As the school year comes closer to an end, and the days get longer and warmer, it can be even easier to find some time to help a military family in your area. It can be as simple as watching the kids for a night, or as big as organizing a cookout for veterans, servicemembers, and their families. Every kindness counts.
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