The National Catholic Partnership on Disability hosted a webinar on October 18, 2011 to help Catholic parishes consider ways to reach out to Veterans and their families. Of particular note was the statistic that 20% of our Veterans are unemployed. Parishes can begin to help by:
- extending genuine hospitality
- creating safe environments
- listening well and responding to particular needs
- helping Veterans find employment
- inviting Veterans and their families to serve in the particular ministries of the parish
- host a party for Veterans and get to know them
- invite Veterans to the parish
- create a list of local referrals
- consider the needs of National Guard and Reserve families that may not be near a military installation
- invite older Veterans in the parish to serve as mentors
Find out more in the NCPD and Veterans Ministry Toolkit which is currently posted online.
