Veteran's Ministry
Essential Resources

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor  things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
--Romans 8:38-39

• Don’t be quick to refer. Release your desire to “fix” the situation. 

• Be a concerned listener.

• Most people do not follow-up on referrals. 

• Your moment together is what is  most important as the veteran continues the path of dealing with their issues.

• When your conversation gets to the point of suggesting referrals, ask them what they’ve tried. 

• Ask them what they were told/given about this at their debriefings.

• If you do suggest the person try a resource, follow-up with him/her to see how it went.

Military-Related Resources

• You’ll find lots of good ideas on the Minnesota National Guard Web site.

• Liaison at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center for recent returnees: Diane Peterson 612-467-3757

• County Veterans Service Offices:

• St. Paul Vets Center, Army Readjustment Counseling, 
  651-644-4022

• National networks: Military One-Source 1-800-342-9647 

• New National Vets Mental Health Info

• Veteran’s Affairs

• LinkVet: 1-888-LINKVET (546-5838) (a State of Minnesota agency)
  LinkVet is a 24-hour, toll-free customer service line providing information referrals, immediate crisis intervention, and psychological counseling for Minnesota veterans and their family members.

• TRICARE: 1-888-TRIWEST (1-888-874-9378)  Tricare is a military insurance program that reimburses selected civilian providers.

Community Counseling Resources

Lutheran Social Services, 612-879-5320 (same number for all sites)
2414 Park Avenue South, Minneapolis 
590 Park Street, St. Paul
Veteran's Specialists: Donna Mayotte, John Manz, Dwayne Bjerke

Walk-In Counseling Center, 612-870-0565, provides free, confidential, no appointment professional counseling. Afternoons: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 1-3 p.m. Evenings: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
2421 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis MN 55404 

Jewish Family & Children’s Services, 952-546-0616
13100 Wayzata Blvd., Minnetonka  

Catholic Charities, 612-664-8500
215 Old 6th Street, St. Paul
1200 2nd Avenue South,  Minneapolis

Crisis Connection, 612-379-6363,  24 hour a day, 7 day a week phone counseling
Men’s Line - for men and those who care about them, 612-379-6367

Family and Children’s Service, 612-728-2061
414 South 8th Street, Minneapolis
There are also branches in Brooklyn Park, East Lake St., and Bloomington.

Family Service, Inc., 651-635-0477
Sites in Roseville, South St. Paul, St. Louis Park, Downtowns of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Individual and family counseling.

Chrysalis Center for Women, 612-871-0118
4432 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis

Domestic Abuse Project, 612-874-7063

Neighborhood Involvement Program (NIP), 612-374-3125 

Rape and Sexual Abuse Helpline 24 hour, 612-825-HELP

Community University Health Care Center, 612-638-0670

For general help call United Way at 2-1-1 (on landline phone) or 1-800-543-7709

If you have questions or comments about our synod's Veteran's Ministry, please contact:

Coming Home Collaborative
2315 Chicago Ave S
Minneapolis MN 55404
612-871-2967
ListenToVets@comcast.net