HKennedy Veteran & Survivor Advocate

10/30/2025

⚠️ Shutdown Update: Day 30 for Military Families

💰 Pay & Financial Impacts: The White House has indicated that troops will be paid on or around November 1. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that active-duty Coast Guard members will be paid on or about November 1 as well. However, pay for activated Reservists and Guardsmen on orders remains uncertain. Federal civilian employees, including DoDEA teachers and installation staff, have already missed paychecks, creating additional hardships for military-connected communities.

🍎 Nutrition & Food Assistance: Military and veteran families continue to turn to food programs in record numbers. At the federal level, WIC and SNAP programs will pause operations without intervention to fund these programs. For military families who rely on WIC programs overseas, their benefits will continue due to a different source of funding. Stateside Families who rely on these programs should stay in touch with their state or installation WIC office for the latest updates. If you need immediate food assistance:

📞 Call 2-1-1 to be connected with local food, rent, or utility resources.
🥕 Visit feedingamerica.org to find nearby food banks and pantries.

🏛️ Legislative Update: Despite ongoing discussions in Washington, no funding agreement or military pay legislation has advanced. The Senate is not currently scheduled to vote today on a House-passed measure to reopen the government, and is not expected to be in session this weekend after it adjourns later this afternoon. The shutdown will now likely stretch into its fifth week. We continue to encourage those who feel comfortable doing so to contact your elected representatives and share how this shutdown is affecting your family. Every story matters.

Education: As previously discussed, VA Ch. 35 tuition and housing payments are backlogged for more than 75,000 college and trade-school students who are the dependents and survivors of former military members after a software problem stopped automated delivery of their benefits. This issue was compounded by furloughed federal civilians who can fix the error. Military tuition assistance and VR&E support is delayed or paused due to the shutdown.

💙 It’s been a month now. Missed paychecks, canceled plans, unanswered questions, increasing anxiety; our military families are carrying a burden they didn’t choose. The frustration is real, and so is our commitment to you. MFAN will keep making sure you are seen, heard, and supported, even when progress feels out of reach.

We’re here. We’re listening. And we’re not going anywhere.
➡️ Share your story: milfam360.org

10/08/2025

This is in Massachusetts.
First PTSD Memorial to Be Unveiled in Honor of Veterans and Their Families. The community will gather on November 9, 2025, at 1:00 PM Connery Ave Bourne MA 02532 for the unveiling of the first PTSD Memorial, honoring the courage, sacrifice, and struggles of veterans, service members, and families affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

09/30/2025

Even if there's a government shutdown, veterans will still be able to access their health care, benefits, and memorial services from VA. Please keep your scheduled health care appointments.

VA wants to reassure veterans and their families that core services and benefits would be protected. Some less-critical services would temporarily pause.

See what would be affected: https://department.va.gov/contingency-planning/

09/28/2025

On September 28th, we honor Gold Star Mothers and Families who have lost loved ones in military service. The Gold Star represents the profound sacrifice of both service members and their families. Today and every day, we recognize that no one has given more for our nation than these service members and families.

The Army supports these families through Survivor Outreach Services, providing counseling, financial assistance, and continued connection to the military community.

09/24/2025

This week is Gold Star Families Remembrance Week - a time to honor and remember those grieving the death of a military loved one.

Their service and sacrifice live on in the stories we share, the love we carry, and the support we give.

Together, we can remember, share their stories, and show unwavering support.

💛 How do you keep the memory of your loved ones alive?

09/17/2025

07/24/2025

New England Free classes

The Providence Clemente Veterans Initiative (PCVI) is accepting applications for its 8th year. Free humanities classes & field trips for veterans from RI, MA, and CT. Use history, philosophy, art, and literature to explore military service, combat & homecoming from ancient Greeks to Iraq/Afghanistan, in a supportive setting. Sharpen your mind, earn free credits, and enjoy a great community & healing. Open to all regardless of discharge status, deployment, age, rank, or education. Sign up:

Welcome to the enrollment page for the Providence Clemente Veterans' Initiative. You can enroll in the PCVI by clicking the button below and filling out the form: