Maryland Joins Forces

The Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs believes veterans and active service members are more likely to thrive in Maryland when their families are healthy and resilient. Maryland Joins Forces (MJF) is an initiative designed to mobilize partners across sectors to meaningfully address issues affecting veterans and military families. MJF is centered around five focus areas.

Focus Areas and Desired Outcome

(1) Employment: Reduce veteran & military spouse unemployment and make it easier for spouses to transition to the state without career disruptions.

(2) Food and Housing Insecurity: Ensure no military connected family experiences food insecurity and eliminate homelessness amongst veteran families.

(3) Education: Members of the military-connected community gain the skills and credentials they need to find meaningful employment and contribute to a thriving Maryland economy.

(4) Health and Wellness: Military connected families live healthier lives – both physically and mentally with increased access to health and wellness resources.

(5) Volunteer Service: Increase the number of opportunities for members of the military connected community to serve alongside their non-military connected neighbors to reduce the civil-military divide.

Organizations that have joined MDVA/Maryland Joins Forces with a Memoranda of Agreement include:

American Corporate Partners
American University
Blue Star Families
Elizabeth Dole Foundation
Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council
Operation Homefront
Platoon 22
Team Red, White, & Blue
United Through Reading

“We want to do everything we can to keep our heroes and their talents here at home after their military service ends,” said Maryland’s Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Woods. “Maryland Joins Forces will go a long way in allowing us to achieve exactly that.”

To get in contact with Maryland Joins Forces, please email Ross Cohen, Deputy Secretary, at ross.cohen@maryland.gov.