Joining Forces Blog

  • New York City and Robin Hood Join Forces for America’s Veterans

    Posted by Brad Cooper on May 9, 2012 at 2:47 PM EDT

    On May 7th, in New York City, I had the great privilege of attending an all-day summit onboard the U.S.S. Intrepid that brought together over 400 leaders from the military, veterans groups, non-profit organizations, local, state and federal government, medicine, and the media. It was an extraordinary day – and the focus was on sharing successful ideas from programs that have demonstrated real results or are seen to have real potential to help our returning military and their families. These ideas came from a diverse group of Americans, leaders from Tom Brokaw to Admiral Mike Mullen and Jon Stewart to the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan.

    Watch Joining Forces Executive Director Navy Captain Brad Cooper announce a new collaboration at the Robin Hood Veterans Summit, here. 

     

     

     

     

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  • Veterans Summit Aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid

    Posted by Ari Isaacman Astles on May 7, 2012 at 11:53 AM EDT

    Today, Joining Forces Executive Director Navy Captain Brad Cooper will announce a new collaborative effort at the Robin Hood Veterans Summit. The partnership between Robin Hood, New York City’s largest private funder of anti-poverty programs, the Bloomberg Administration, and the White House will better enable veterans in New York City to access the resources needed to transition from military service to civilian life. Capt. Cooper noted, "Robin Hood is doing exactly what Joining Forces is all about. They are, as the First Lady often says ‘stepping up and doing what they do best,’ positively impacting our veterans and families in the most meaningful of ways – through their employment, education and well-being."

    The Summit will host over 400 attendees aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid, a fitting location for a discussion about the critical issues facing those who have served our country. See the list of public figures joining Capt. Cooper at today’s summit here– from Jon Stewart to Gayle King – and join in the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #RHVets. To learn more about the White House’s Joining Forces initiative visit JoiningForces.gov, follow us on Twitter @JoiningForces and on Facebook .

    USS Intrepid Aircraft Carrier at Enterprise Title Transfer

    USS Intrepid aircraft carrier which is home to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is seen in the late afternoon on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011 in New York City. Earlier in the afternoon NASA transferred title and ownership of the space shuttle Enterprise to the museum. The transfer is the first step toward Intrepid receiving Enterprise in the spring of 2012. (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

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  • MOAA Helps Military Families Find Gainful Employment

    Posted by Brad Cooper on May 1, 2012 at 1:43 PM EDT

    Last week, the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) held a military career fair in Washington DC, giving our service members, veterans and their spouses a chance to connect with meaningful employment opportunities from nearly 100 employers. 

    This career fair was especially impactful because of its focus on military spouses, who have sometimes been out of the workforce for extended periods of time. The day included two motivational workshops for military spouses, which left them feeling confident and lifted.

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  • Panther Racing Gives Crash-Course for Hiring American Heroes

    Posted by Panther Racing on April 30, 2012 at 3:42 PM EDT

    At the start of every IndyCar Series race, the infield hospitality area is abuzz. Fans chatter about their favorite teams. IndyCar drivers gear up before they strap into the cockpit and rip through the streets. Sponsors, VIPs and team guests vie for the chance to meet an IndyCar driver. 

    But for us at Panther Racing, each race is about more than just fun and excitement. Our team is on a mission to support American heroes – service members, veterans, and military families. Since partnering with the National Guard before the 2008 season, our at-track guests aren’t multi-million dollar CEOs or high-profile marketing and sales executives. Instead, we invite National Guard Soldiers and their families, military leaders, and row after row of potential employers for Veterans in the local area. 

     

    Panther Racing Joins Forces in Support of Military Heroes

    Panther kicked off its at-track program at the St. Petersburg race in 2012. Pictured here, from left: White House Fellow Rodney Lewis, US Chamber of Commerce Senior Manager of Media Relations Bryan Goettel, J.R. Hildebrand, USAF four-star General (Ret.) Gene Renuart and Medal of Honor recipient Gary Littrell.

     

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  • America's Nurses Take the Lead in Caring for Military Families

    Posted by Brad Cooper on April 12, 2012 at 2:17 PM EDT

    First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden participate in a Joining Forces nurses event

    First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden participate in a Joining Forces nurses event in the Irvine Auditorium at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pa., April 11, 2012. Joing them on stage is Navy Lieutenant Commander Pamela Wall. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

    Yesterday, I had the wonderful privilege of joining First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden at the University of Pennsylvania for arguably the most far-reaching announcement we have had to date in Joining Forces -- a commitment from our nation's nursing leaders to train more than 3 million nurses to have a better understanding of health issues impacting our troops, veterans and their families – with a specific focus on Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). 

    The announcement was made at the University of Pennsylvania -- one of America's leading nursing schools -- and the audience included our troops, nursing students and leaders from nursing organizations and schools throughout America. 

    The atmosphere was energetic -- and it was apparent from the minute Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden walked onto the stage that these nurses and nursing students were eager and excited to get to work and support military families. 

    Nurses are some of America's most trusted professionals. They are the first to care for us when we go to a hospital or clinic and they are known for their compassion for their patients. 

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  • Dr. Jill Biden Honors Winners of the Joining Forces Community Challenge

    Posted by Kirsten White on April 11, 2012 at 4:49 PM EDT

    Yesterday, Dr. Biden joined General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Deanie Dempsey, to congratulate the finalists and winners of the Joining Forces Community Challenge. Dr. Biden and Mrs. Dempsey sat down with the winners to hear their stories. The winning organizations provide scholarships for military families, greet and support troops and families at an airport in Minnesota, collect hockey equipment for military children, provide retreats for military families reuniting after deployment, provide free mental health services for members of the military, and extend support from an entire community to a local National Guard unit. 

    Dr Jill Biden at a Joining Forces event at the Pentagon

    Dr. Jill Biden, Mrs. Deanie Dempsey and USO President Sloan Gibson congratulate the finalists and winners of the Joining Forces Community Challenge at the Pentagon.

     
    The JFCC winners told Dr. Biden and Mrs. Dempsey how important it has been for their organizations to establish a personal connection to the military families they support.  Shane, a founder of Defending the Blue line, shared how he and others in the organization have been personally impacted by the children they have helped.  The organization recently donated hockey equipment to a 7-year-old boy whose father was killed during his deployment.  They learned that the boy loved playing hockey, and that it was so important for him to get to the rink and bond with other kids.  His coaches formed a web of support for the boy while he was grieving, and they have become like father figures to him. The equipment Defending the Blue Line provided for him is helping him through his grief.  Shane told the group how that experience meant so much to him and other volunteers. 

    All twenty of the JFCC finalists are winners. They are making the difference in the lives of military families every single day. They are shining examples of what Joining Forces is all about, and Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden hope their stories inspire all Americans, and demonstrate that anyone can find a creative ways to support these brave families, who have given so much to all of us.

    Check out this slideshow highlighting the first year of Joining Forces:

    • Joining Forces Launch

      The First Lady speaks during the launch of Joining Forces in the East Room, April 12, 2010.

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    • Joining Forces Sesame Street

      The First Lady and Dr. Biden participate in a taping on the set of "Sesame Street" in Astoria, N.Y., April 18, 2011

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    • Joining Forces Panel At The Writer's Guild Of America

      The First Lady participates in a panel discussion at the Writer's Guild of America in Los Angeles, Calif.

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    • First Lady Michelle Obama Huddles With Military Family Children

      The First Lady huddles with military family children at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., July 5, 2011.

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    • First Lady Michelle Obama Visits The Naval Air Station Oceana Summer Camp

      The First Lady visits the Naval Air Station Oceana Summer Camp in Virginia Beach, Va., July 21, 2011.

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    • Joining Forces Extreme Makeover

      The First Lady reacts as the Jubilee House is revealed in Fayetteville, N.C., July 21, 2011.

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    • Joining Forces Military Family Cookout

      The First Lady talks with a girl during a Military Family Cookout at the New Hampshire National Guard headquarters in Concord, N.H., July 2

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    • First Lady Michelle Obama And Dr. Jill Biden Paint A Wall

      The First Lady and Dr. Biden paint a wall in the home of Sgt. Johnny Agbi, Jr., left, in Washington, D.C., Oct. 17, 2011.

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    • Lunch With Active Duty And Retired Military Personnel

      The President and First Lady have lunch with active duty and retired military personnel at a restaurant in Hampton, Va., Oct. 19, 2011.

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    • Joining Forces World Series

      The First Lady and Dr. Biden attend Game 1 of the World Series with Marine Lance Cpl. James Sperry and his daughter in St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 19, 2011.

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    • Joining Forces U.S. Chamber Of Commerce

      The First Lady delivers remarks at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Business Steps Up: Hiring Our Heroes” event in Washington, D.C., Nov. 10, 2011.

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    • joining Forces NASCAR

      The First Lady and Dr. Biden watch a NASCAR race with military families at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla., Nov. 20, 2011.

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    • President Barack Obama Signs The Veterans Opportunity To Work To Hire Heroes Act of 2011

      The President signs the Veterans Opportunity to Work to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 in the South Court Auditorium, Nov. 21, 2011.

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    • White House Christmas Tree

      The First Lady walks with children past the official White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room, Nov. 30, 2011.

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    • First Lady Introduces President Barack Obama

      The First Lady introduces President Barack Obama at Pope Army Airfield in Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 14, 2011.

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    • President Obama And First Lady Greet Troops

      The President and First Lady greet troops at Pope Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 14, 2011.

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    • First Lady Shakes Hands With Medical Personnel

      The First Lady shakes hands with veterans and medical personnel at Virginia Commonwealth University AAMC-Medical Center in Richmond, Jan. 11, 2012.

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    • First Lady Michelle Obama Joines The iCarly Cast

      The First Lady attends an iCarly screening at Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria, Va., Jan. 13, 2012.

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    • Dr. Jill Biden Greets Wounded Warriors

      Dr. Biden greets wounded warriors and their families at the Wounded Warrior Hope and Care Center at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 20, 2012.

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    • First Lady Michelle Obama At Little Rock Air Force Base

      The First Lady visits the dining facility at Little Rock Air Force Base in Little Rock, Ark., Feb. 9, 2012.

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    • Defending The Blue Line Youths

      The First Lady walks with participants in the Defending the Blue Line program in Minneapolis, Minn., March 16, 2012.

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    • Department Of Defense Dinner In The East Room

      The First Lady is photographed with a guest during the Department of Defense dinner in the East Room of the White House, Feb. 29, 2012.

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    • Best Practices To Support Military Spouses

      The First Lady and Dr. Biden stand for the national anthem at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., Feb. 15, 2012.

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    • Joining Forces Marine Corps Flag

      A message written by First Lady is seen on a U.S. Marine Corps flag at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., April 4, 2012.

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