Notes from the Parent Foundation
If you missed last week’s newsletter - so did I!
Sometimes, we all need a day off, whether it's due to sick kids, that was my excuse for missing last week's newsletter, or the chaos that life can sometimes throw our way. We understand, and we're here to support you. Thank you for understanding as I took the day to cuddle mine on a much needed day of rest and recovery.
As we turn our attention to this week, we'd like to remind you that we are off on Friday as our observed Veterans Day, allowing extra time to be with your loved ones. OTA is proud to be part of a military town, and we're privileged to have many military families among our students and staff. We also have a special partnership with our neighbors at the Aspire Center,a residential treatment facility for Veterans, where we celebrate the service and recovery of our Veterans through collaboration and support.
If you are looking for somewhere to honor, celebrate, and thank the men and women of the military through a major public event, Fleet Week is still going strong and there are lots of activities this weekend! Including the Boat Parade on the 12th!
On behalf of the OTA Parent Foundation, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the Veterans, Service Members and military families who have made sacrifices for our country. Their dedication and service should never be taken for granted. If you are out and about this weekend, don’t forget to thank a Veteran, thank our Service Members and maybe most importantly their families for the often invisible support they provide day in and day out!
Don’t be surprised if it’s weird though. If you thank a Veteran and it’s shrugged off, please remember that service of our country can be complicated. It’s no small thing. There is pride and love but also loss and experiences that don’t belong in polite company. It's important to be sensitive to this reality.
During this weekend filled with sales and free lunches, we encourage you to check in on your Veterans, Service Members and military families. These individuals deserve our care and attention, not just on Veterans Day, but every day.
If you are in crisis, or know someone who is, there is help. We've compiled a short list of local and national resources that can offer support and assistance. We hope this helps.
Community Resources
Blue Star Families of San Diego
Blue Star Neighborhood is an online community for military and Veteran families to get connected and feel empowered to thrive.
The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at VVSD in San Diego
The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Veterans Village of San Diego provides confidential, high-quality therapy, and local referral support services to: post-9/11 veterans, service members*, National Guard and Reserves, and their family members, including spouse or partner, children, parents, siblings, caregivers and others. Care is available regardless of discharge status, role while in uniform, or combat experience. Insurance or ability to pay will never be a barrier to care.
Veterans Village of San Diego
VVSD helps thousands of our most vulnerable veterans to reclaim their lives through programs that offer transitional and permanent housing, mental health counseling, substance use treatment, and employment and training services.
Nationwide Resources for Veterans
The Veterans Crisis Line offers free, confidential support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Dial 988 and Press 1
Chat online
Text 838255
Resources for Family Members or Friends of Veterans
Coaching Into Care
This VA program provides guidance to Veterans’ family members and friends for encouraging a reluctant Veteran they care about to reach out for support with a mental health challenge.
Free, confidential assistance is available by calling 1-888-823-7458 Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET, or emailing [email protected].
Thank you for being part of the OTA community, and let's all come together to honor our Veterans, our Service Members and military families this week and every week.
Additional resources can be found at: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/get-help/index.asp
