Military Veteran Project Announces 2026 Strategic Restructuring and Kansas-Focused Mission5/13/2026  The Military Veteran Project returns its focus home to Kansas while launching new programs to strengthen veteran support across communities
The Military Veteran Project (MVP) announced today a strategic restructuring for 2026 that will focus the organization’s efforts on serving veterans and military families across Kansas through community-driven programs and partnerships. Originally founded in honor of Staff Sergeant Jamie Jarboe, the Military Veteran Project has spent more than a decade connecting veterans with resources, support and peer networks. As the organization enters its next chapter, leadership is refocusing its mission closer to home, strengthening local relationships and building programs that empower communities to better support those who served. “This next chapter is about bringing the mission home,” said Melissa Jarboe, Founder & Executive Director . “Kansas is where our journey began, it's our home, and we believe communities here have the power to make a lasting difference in the lives of veterans and military families.” A Community-Based Approach to Veteran Support As part of the restructuring, the Military Veteran Project is launching several initiatives designed to strengthen connection, education, and community engagement across the state. These programs aim to ensure veterans and military families have stronger networks of support where they live, work, and raise their families. Key Programs Launching or Expanding in 2026 Military Prevention Initiative The Military Prevention Initiative focuses on building stronger connections between veterans and the local resources available to them. Through outreach efforts across the state, the Military Veteran Project works to connect: • Mental health providers • medical facilities • community organizations • veteran service organizations • local support networks By strengthening collaboration between these resources, the initiative helps ensure veterans can more easily access the care and support they need before challenges become crises. Guardian Network A community training initiative that equips civilians, organizations, businesses, churches, and schools with the knowledge and tools to better support veterans and recognize when someone may be struggling. The Guardian Network helps create local community guardians who understand the challenges veterans face and are prepared to step in with support and connection. Mission Reintegration A 12-week peer-led course designed to help veterans and military families process reintegration, rebuild connection, and strengthen emotional resilience in a supportive group environment. Through guided discussions and shared experiences, participants work together to rediscover purpose, rebuild relationships, and move forward with hope. Flags for the Fallen -Flags Forward A national volunteer initiative that honors fallen veterans by placing flags on their graves during Memorial Day while bringing communities together in remembrance and service. Flags Forward also serves as a powerful opportunity for younger generations to learn about service, sacrifice, and the importance of honoring those who came before them. MVP Day of Service in Honor of Staff Sergeant Jamie Jarboe An annual volunteer event dedicated to restoring dignity to veterans’ final resting places while honoring the legacy of those who served. Community members gather each year to clean headstones, remove debris, and ensure veterans’ resting places are treated with the respect they deserve. Strengthening Partnerships Across Kansas A central focus of the 2026 restructuring is building stronger collaboration with local organizations, schools, businesses, faith communities, and civic leaders across Kansas. Rather than operating as a distant support organization, MVP is working to empower local communities themselves to become part of the solution. “Veterans live in every community,” Jarboe shared. “When communities understand their challenges and step forward to support them, we create environments where no veteran feels alone.” Honoring the Past. Building the Future. While the Military Veteran Project continues to evolve, its core mission remains unchanged: supporting veterans and military families through connection, understanding, and community. By bringing the organization’s focus back to Kansas and strengthening partnerships across the state, MVP is working to build a sustainable model that ensures veterans and families have access to support for years to come. Looking Ahead As these initiatives expand across the state, the Military Veteran Project invites community members, volunteers, and organizations to join the mission. Whether through training, volunteering, or community partnerships, everyone has a role to play in supporting those who served. Because when communities come together, healing becomes possible. "Honoring the fallen. Uniting the living. Inspiring the next generation."
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 Today, the Military Veteran Project had the opportunity to meet with Harvesters to discuss an issue impacting more military and veteran families than many people realize — food insecurity.
During our conversation, we discussed the growing need to better understand how veterans, active duty service members, Guard/Reserve families, and military-connected households are being supported within existing food assistance systems across Kansas communities. One of the biggest concerns identified was the lack of consistent military-specific tracking and data collection. While many organizations are working hard to serve their communities, there is currently limited information available to determine how many military-connected families may already be utilizing food resources — or how many may still be falling through the cracks. At the Military Veteran Project, we believe this conversation matters. Food insecurity is not just about food. It is connected to stress, transition challenges, financial instability, isolation, family wellness, and long-term prevention efforts. Sometimes people do not ask for help until they are already overwhelmed. Sometimes a family struggling quietly with groceries is also struggling with transition, connection, or emotional wellness behind closed doors. That is why we believe a small regional pilot initiative could help communities better understand: • whether military-connected families are being identified • where gaps may exist • what barriers prevent access to support • and how community partnerships can work together to strengthen outreach and prevention efforts We are grateful for organizations like Harvesters that are willing to have honest conversations about where support systems can continue to grow stronger. The Military Veteran Project looks forward to continuing discussions with community partners throughout Kansas to help identify needs, strengthen awareness, and ensure military-connected families know they are not alone. Because prevention starts with connection. And stability matters. #MilitaryVeteranProject #Kansas #MilitaryFamilies #VeteranSupport #FoodSecurity #CommunityConnection #PreventionMatters #BehindEveryNumberIsAName  Financial stress is often one of the first warning signs that a veteran or military family may be struggling. Financial stress doesn't always look like a crisis at first.
Sometimes it looks like missed bills. A veteran avoiding the mailbox. A family trying to stretch groceries another week. A service member silently carrying the weight of debt, transition, uncertainty, or fear of asking for help. At the Military Veteran Project, we believe suicide prevention begins long before a moment of crisis. It begins through connection, education, community support, and helping veterans navigate the everyday challenges that can quietly overwhelm them over time. That’s why MVP is proud to introduce and share a valuable FREE resource available to veterans and military families across the nation: The FINVET – National Veterans Financial Resource Center. Developed through the VA Office of Suicide Prevention, FINVET was created to help veterans strengthen financial wellness through trusted tools, education, and support resources. FINVET provides: • Budgeting and financial planning tools • Debt and credit guidance • Housing and employment resources • Scam and fraud prevention education • Benefits navigation information • Emergency support connections • Financial wellness education for veterans and families Financial stress can impact mental health, relationships, stability, and overall wellness. By helping veterans gain access to practical resources early, we can help strengthen hope, resilience, and long-term well-being before struggles escalate into crisis. At MVP, we remain committed to connecting veterans and families with trusted resources that support prevention through education, awareness, and community-based support. Because behind every number is a name. And every veteran deserves support before they feel alone. #MilitaryVeteranProject #FINVET #VeteranSupport #SuicidePrevention #FinancialWellness #MentalHealthAwareness #BehindEveryNumberIsAName #VeteranResources #CommunitySupport #KansasMilitaryPreventionInitiative  The Military Veteran Project is honored to begin building a meaningful relationship with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansasas we continue strengthening prevention, connection, and community engagement efforts throughout Kansas.
Recently, MVP leadership had the opportunity to meet with members of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas team to discuss the future of community partnership, veteran engagement, and collaborative efforts that support military families and veterans across our state. One of the first initiatives Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas will be participating in is our Flags Forward | Flags for the Fallen effort leading up to Memorial Day. Together, volunteers will gather at Mount Hope Cemetery to honor those who served by placing American flags at veterans’ gravesites ensuring remembrance, connection, and community remain at the heart of what we do. What began as a conversation quickly became something much larger: a shared belief that stronger communities are built through connection, engagement, and support before crisis ever occurs. As the Military Veteran Project continues restructuring and returning its primary focus home to Kansas, partnerships like this help strengthen our vision for initiatives such as the Guardian Network, Mission Reintegration, the Kansas Military Prevention Initiative, and additional community outreach efforts designed to support veterans and military families throughout Kansas. We are incredibly grateful for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas’ willingness to engage, listen, and stand alongside our military and veteran communities. This is only the beginning, and we look forward to growing together in meaningful ways that continue honoring service while strengthening our Kansas communities for years to come. #FlagsForward #FlagsForTheFallen #MilitaryVeteranProject #KansasMilitaryPreventionInitiative #MissionReintegration #GuardianNetwork #CommunityConnection #HonorTheFallen |
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SERVING OUR MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES SINCE 2012
The Military Veteran Project is a non-profit 501 (c)3 organization, IRS identification number 46-0877378. Donations made to the Military Veteran Project are tax deductible in the U.S. ·