#154: Benefits Breakdown – VA Center of Faith and Opportunity Initiative

The VA understands that sometimes, faith is the best way to reach a Veteran. Therefore, VA set up a resource that educates local clergy on Veteran concerns and Veteran benefits so they can be the one to tell the Veteran what is available to them. In this episode we talk with the center's acting director, Marine Veteran Conrad Washington. In addition to breaking down the center's purpose and goals, he explains how his career and his faith eventually let him to his current role.

Show Notes

The VA Center of Faith’s and Opportunity Initiative’s mission is “engage, inform and educate faith-based, nonprofit and community/neighborhood organizations in VA programs to better serve the needs of Veterans, their families, survivors, caregivers and other beneficiaries.” Basically, VA understands that sometimes, faith is the best way to reach a Veteran. Therefore, VA set up a resource for local clergy so they can be the one to tell the Veteran what is available to them.

The current leader spearheading this initiative is the acting director of VA Center of Faith and Opportunity Initiative, Conrad Washington. In this episode he breaks down how your local clergy can get involved with the program. Through partnerships, resources and outreach events, the Center of Faith currently have multiple ways for faith-based leaders to get involved.

In addition, he breaks down his own career. Conrad is a former Marine Corps administrator and drill instructor. After leaving service, Conrad went from a security guard to specializing in security education as an Information Security Specialist for the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency – in the same building. Currently in seminary school, he explains how his career combined with his faith eventually landed him in the VA Secretary’s Office and into his current role as the acting director for the VA Center of Faith and Opportunity Initiative.

Enjoy.

Additional Links to this week’s Episode:

• https://www.va.gov/CFBNPARTNERSHIPS/index.asp
• https://www.va.gov/cfbnpartnerships/fbnpContacts.asp
•  https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/62668/va-overhauls-religious-spiritual-symbol-policies-protect-religious-liberty/
•  https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/54166/faith-opportunity-engages-community/
• https://thewarriorsjourney.org/
• https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/

#BtBattle Veteran of the Week:

• Army Veteran  Sydney Hunnicutt

What is Borne the Battle?

Borne the Battle recognizes each battle, challenge, and sacrifice our Veterans endure during and after their service, as well as spotlighting important resources, offices, and benefits VA offers our Veterans.

The Department of Veterans Affairs does not endorse or officially sanction any entities that may be discussed in this podcast, nor any media, products or services they may provide.