Included among the very important populations that Home Front Military Network (HFMN) serves are members of the Colorado National Guard (CONG) and their families.
While they are extremely busy and challenged much as active-duty service members are, members of the CONG don’t receive the benefits that active-duty service members do unless they are currently under federal orders. This is where HFMN comes in!
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve advocates for the rights of guards and reservists with their civilian employers. But when they or their family members are struggling, or if services can’t be provided by the CONG Family Programs, HFMN steps in to fill the gaps.
HFMN assists members and their families directly and through the CONG’s Family Program Office. Included in our services is financial support when needed. For example, some guard members are underemployed with only their guard duty salary. Or, if they are deployed, those salaries may be lower than their civilian jobs. We also connect family members to appropriate community support.
HFMN’s support includes outreach activities supporting Yellow Ribbon events and other resource fairs and events hosted by the Family Program Office.
On July 16th, HFMN held a mid-deployment fair for family members of the CONG who are currently at the midpoint of a nine-month overseas deployment. The event included a staffed information table and a presentation about HFMN resources and services. The event’s purpose was to let family members know where to seek help before they are in crisis.
Formed in 1860, The Colorado National Guard is the first military response during state emergencies, including natural disasters and mountain search and rescue efforts, and supplements active-duty missions. It has more than 5,500 citizen soldiers and airmen from all walks of life and dozens of communities within the state who commit one weekend per month and at least two weeks per year to train and ensure their skills are up to date for missions during peacetime and war.
The CONG is different from other reserve forces because it has a dual state and federal mission, and more than two-thirds serve part-time.
For example, the CONG recently completed an 800-day mission to provide support to the state’s COVID-19 response efforts. The mission included vaccine and medical planning, vaccine site management, building and managing urgent care outreach, medical analysis of COVID-19 trends, and support for the Colorado Department of Health and Environment State laboratory in Lowry.
Members of CONG also recently participated in a large-scale military exercise across eastern and northern Europe.
Home Front Military Network connects active-duty service members, members of the CONG and reserves, veterans, and their families to resources and emergency financial assistance through our trusted community partners. Contact us for more information.
