The Center for Minority Veterans is a space by the Department of Veterans Affairs whose goal is “to ensure all Veterans receive equal service regardless of race, origin, religion, or gender.” It gives an opportunity for minority Veterans and their families to be educated on the resources available to them. Suggested read:Heroic Black Medal of Honor Recipients Had To Fight for Recognition

Who Does the Center for Minority Veterans Serve?

The VA Center for Minority Veterans offers many resources to different minority groups in the military. They provide programs and assistance to all minority Veterans, including:

• Alaskan Native Veterans
• Asian American Veterans
• Hispanic Veterans
• African American Veterans
• Black Veterans
• American Indian Veterans

What Resources Do They Offer for Minority Veterans?

The VA Center for Minority Veterans offers services such as education and training programs to help Veterans continue their education and pursue careers after their service in the military. Their educational benefits allow Veterans to undergo specialized education or job training that’s eligible to be covered through the GI Bill. There are also programs where Veterans can study at a foreign school, and the Center for Minority Veterans can cover tuition and fees. On top of the educational benefits that the Center for Minority Veterans offers, they also provide employment programs that minority Veterans can look into. There are employment programs for every minority group, and the VA website contains a link providing the necessary information and resources that minority Veterans can reference whenever they want to seek employment. Here are more programs and services that they offer:

• Minority Veterans Program Coordinator (MVPC): a coordinator will work with you to help you understand all the VA benefits and services at your disposal. They’ll also advocate on behalf of minority Veterans and suggest improvements for all Veteran facilities.
• Advisory Committee On Minority Veterans (ACMV): a direct link to Congress and the Secretary that advocates for Veteran benefits and ensures the government is aware of the scope of Veteran issues. Also works to ensure transparency between government entities and Veterans.
• Veteran Business and Economic Development Outreach: helps Vets understand the processes involved in startups and assists them in gaining basic knowledge of contracting, certifications, and legal structures.

All Veterans Deserve Equity

The Center for Minority Veterans offers different resources to different minority groups, and the VA’s website gives these groups an opportunity to leverage their resources to find their own path and purpose after their service in the military. Each minority group – including Alaskan Native Veterans, Asian American Veterans, Hispanic Veterans, African American Veterans, Black Veterans, and American Indian Veterans – can check out the website and explore the services that the center provides. There are links included to all the resources they offer, and minority Veterans can visit to see which ones apply to them. Though the website does lack some information, as some links bring you to a generalized page that is commonly found in other categories of minority groups in the Center for Minority Veterans website, there are still great programs and resources you should take advantage of. You can also consult with a representative to get more accurate information and applicable resources by calling 1 (202) 461-6191 or emailing them at vacocenterforminorit@va.gov. Read next:New Study Surfaces Detailing Racial Discrimination in the Military