July 2024 Convening: Unplanned/Medical Separations: How to find a partner through the journey

Posted on: July 31, 2024  |  Posted in: Community Blog

Convening Topic:

“Unplanned/Medical Separations: How to find a partner through the journey”

We had an amazing July convening where we heard from awesome organizations discussing our topic of “Unplanned/Medical Separations: How to find a partner through the journey”.  We had real conversations about:

• The significance of having a “professional partner” that will help walk and navigate through an unplanned separation from the military.
• The stressors and anxiety that come with an unplanned separation.
• The importance of protecting our servicemembers and their families by referring them to established organizations vice companies that assist for a large fee.
• How government policies can help shape support for future servicemembers in this situation.

It was a great space for us to listen, reflect, ask, and learn.  Thank you to all the speakers, organizations, and individuals that attended!  We also had a BUNCH of flyers and announcements full of free family events and assistance opportunities (Our flyer table was jam packed!).  We wish we could upload them, but you’ll have to attend the convenings to get all the information! 

Thanks to our wonderful panelists!

Ashley Camac, Chief Executive Officer for Zero8Hundred and Adjunct Professor at National University

Ashley Camac has more than 20+ years of Professional leadership and Military Lifestyle Experience. Ashley currently serves in the role of Chief Executive Officer for Zero8Hundred, a premier non-profit organization that supports Veterans and their families transitioning to Civilian life and as an Adjunct Professor at National University teaches courses within the Department of Letters and Sciences. Ashley is dedicated to being a servant style leader within her community, she is an active participant and member within several organizations including San Diego Regional and East County Chamber of Commerce, Fleet Week San Diego Foundation, YMCA of San Diego County, San Diego Veterans Employment Council, North County Philanthropy Council, SDG&E Predictable Power Coalition, University Club Public Policy Council, and PLNU MAOL Alumni Association.

Louie R. Estrada Jr., Outreach Specialist for Wounded Warrior Project

Louie Estrada has been an advocate for service members and their families for the better part of the last decade. In his current role with Wounded Warrior Project, Louie provides connections and resources to ill, injured or wounded service members embarking in life after their military service. By creating collaboration and impactful programing with organizations at the local and national level, Louie has been able to assist military families as they begin their journey of transition and a new chapter in their lives post military. Louie served as an Electronics Technician in the US Navy, joining out of his native Chicago. Currently Louie volunteers in various roles with military service organizations at the local and regional level. An avid sports fan and outdoor sports, you can find him scuba diving of the Southern California coast.

CONVENING MATERIALS AND RESOURCES

Due to technical difficulties, the materials and resources cannot be uploaded at this time.  Please message sdmilitaryfamilycollaborative@gmail.com.

SDMFC Website Revamp!  We need your thoughts!

SDMFC has partnered with UCSD’s Design Co UP-Grade Project to re-design our SDMFC website!  The project is scheduled to be completed 6 September 2024.  We want to hear from you and know your thoughts on what you want to see from our website!  We hope to make our website more interactive and a space where organizations and families go to obtain tools, resources, and information about events (both civilian and military) in one location!  The survey will take less than 5 minutes, so please do your part!  Click HERE for the survey! 

Some organizations you could have connected with during this convening!

Fleet and Family Support Centers (EFMP), Marine Corps Community Services (MCRD), KPBS, San Diego Unified School District, San Diego Center for Children, Armed Services YMCA San Diego, County of San Diego Home Visiting Nurses, Blue Star Families, Navy Child Youth Program, Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) San Diego, Rady’s Childrens Hospital San Diego, Zero8Hundred, Wounded Warrior Program, Outside the Lens, National University, University of California – San Diego, Harmonium, Thousand Branches Wellness, and Team Red, White, and Blue (TRWB).  We also had amazing San Diego citizens attend as well!

Join us at our next monthly convening on Friday, 23 Aug from 10am-12pm at the same place (National University at 9388 Lightwave Ave.)  Our topic for August will be focusing on military dependent teens transitioning into adulthood and we have exciting speakers lined up with amazing resources.  Please invite your co-workers, friends, and families!