Below are descriptions of online resources available to military personnel and their families/dependents. Any questions regarding the services described here should be directed to the site administrators and/or the support service administrator, as prescribed on each site. This list will be updated frequently.
- Military Aid Societies
- Army Emergency Relief (AER) is a private non-profit organization, formed to help soldiers and their dependents. AER is the Army's own emergency financial assistance organization; its mission is to "Help[] the Army Take Care of Its Own.” Funds are distributed to commanders who have AER Sections that then make the funds available to active and retired soldiers, and their dependents, when there is a “valid need.”
- Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) is a nonprofit, charitable organization established with the purpose of providing financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Naval Services of the United States, as well as their eligible family members and survivors, when in need. The Society offers counseling, loans, grants, various services, and referrals to other community resources, at no fee. The Society operates in partnership with the Navy and Marine Corps, and it administers nearly 250 offices ashore and afloat at Navy and Marine Corps bases around the world.
- Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) is a private, non-profit organization whose goal is to help Air Force members and their families by alleviating financial difficulty and assisting them in financing their higher education goals. Active duty and retired Air Force members and their dependents are eligible for AFAS help, as are the dependents of deceased Air Force personnel who died on active duty or while in retired status.
- Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) is a non-profit organization providing financial assistance to the Coast Guard community, including active and retired personnel, civilian employees and Public Health Service commissioned to serve with the Coast Guard, Reservists, Auxiliarists, and their families. Through partnerships with other assistance providers, CGMA offers help in the form of counseling, referrals, short-term interest free loans and other related programs.
- American Red Cross
- The American Red Cross offers both active duty and community-based military and their families access to counseling and financial aid services as well as assistance during deployment. The organization also provides an emergency communication service to keep military personnel in touch with their families in the event of a serious/emergency occurrence at home. Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services personnel work in approximately 700 United States chapters and on 62 military installations around the world.
- Volunteer Organizations
- Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) offers a large network of volunteers (“Peer Mentors”) nationwide, providing support for the surviving families of those who have been lost in the line of military duty. TAPS has experienced, empathetic caseworkers who act as liaisons, assisting the family members in finding solutions to problems. Working hand in hand with the appropriate federal, state and private agencies, they have been successful in helping find solutions to problems that arise long after the official file has been closed.
- Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) extends to families such programs as childcare, hospital assistance, spouse support services, food services, computer training classes, health and wellness services, and holiday meals, among many others. In 2006 alone, more than 9,133 individuals nationwide volunteered their time to the ASYMCA, logging 214,622 volunteer hours.
- National Military Family Association (NMFA) seeks to educate military families about the benefits, rights and services available to them. NMFA also works to educate people on and influence legislation and policies affecting military families.
|
