Mass. National Guard Unit in Concord Awarded a Family Readiness Group Start-up Grant from Guard Support

Guard Support of Massachusetts has awarded a Family Readiness Group start-up grant of $500 to the 182nd Medical Company Mass. National Guard unit in Concord, Mass.

"This GSMA Family Readiness Group grant was very helpful in providing the resources for us to produce a great Family Day, and the remaining funds will go far in ensuring the success of our holiday party in December. Thanks to Guard Support of Massachusetts, we can put on some great events to bring our families closer together," says 182nd Medical Company Commander Major Michael Lazo.

Family Readiness Groups assist commanders in maintaining readiness for the service members, families and communities by promoting self-sufficiency, resiliency and stability during both peace and wartime.

Lazo explains: "Even though we are not currently deployed, a mission could arise at any moment. Having our Family Readiness Group funded and established prior to deployment will go along way in ensuring the success of the Group and easing the minds of the soldiers parting from their families."

GSMA Family Readiness Group grants provide funding for family group meetings, programs, mailings, materials, family events, send-off ceremonies and homecoming celebrations.

About Guard Support of Massachusetts (www.guardsupport.org)

Guard Support of Massachusetts was founded in July of 2007 to help the families of the men and women serving in the Massachusetts National Guard. Since September 11, 2001 the Massachusetts National Guard has deployed over 6,000 soldiers and airmen in support of the global war on terror. Families frequently need emergency financial assistance after one spouse deploys overseas, and Guard Support was originally founded to help meet this need.

To date, approximately 60% of Guard Support grants have been for direct emergency assistance to the families of the men and women of the Massachusetts National Guard. Examples include rent payments, electric bills, car payments, gas and heating bills. The remainder of GSMA grants awarded support unit Family Readiness Group meetings, programs and family events, including send-off ceremonies and homecoming events; as well as links between the men and women of the Guard and their families, examples include, subsidized transportation on leave, subsidized internet links and internet phone links for units in Iraq.

In 2010, Guard Support plans to expand the services offered to meet the needs of the returning troops, to include; entrepreneurship training and support (especially in the current economic environment of unemployment, and underemployment), job training, and other education programs.