Sea Legs - Additional Resources
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is a worldwide communications network available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It can place emergency messages to or from Coast Guard service members and their families. When regular communications break down, the Red Cross can also report on the welfare of individuals.
The American Red Cross works in partnership with the military aid societies, including the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance. This alliance helps to provide financial assistance for emergency travel that requires the presence of the service member or his or her family, burial of a loved one, or with assistance that cannot wait until the next business day, such as food, temporary lodging, urgent medical needs, or the minimum amount required to avoid eviction, utility shut off, etc.
In addition, the Red Cross collects, processes, distributes and ensures a safe blood supply. Contact the Red Cross at its local chapter listed in your phone directory for more information.
The American Red Cross
National Headquarters
431 18th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20006
www.redcross.org/
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA)
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance rescues the Coast Guard community in times of need by providing essential financial aid through interest-free loans, grants, and financial counseling. Established in 1924, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance is an independent non-profit charitable organization, operated by Coast Guard people for Coast Guard people.
Assistance Categories:
- Disaster assistance
- Unexpected financial needs and personal loss
- Needs arising from pay, allotment, and travel claim problems
- Emergency travel
- Essential vehicle repair
- Housing needs
- PCS Support
- Education programs
- Baby supplies
- Adoption assistance
- Unanticipated medical bills
- Budget counseling and debt management
Whether helping members with emergency home repairs due to fire or flood, or emergency travel to witness the birth of a child, or to visit the bedside of a critically ill parent, Mutual Assistance is ready to look after our own. Help from Coast Guard Mutual Assistance offers a helping hand to Coast Guard members and their families coping with a short-term financial crisis to restore financial stability and ensure mission readiness.
Need Assistance? Contact your local CGMA Representative.
800.881.2462
cgmahq.org
Coast Guard Foundation
The Coast Guard Foundation, a civilian-based, national nonprofit organization, works closely with United States Coast Guard leadership to define the needs of Coast Guard members and families.
The Foundation’s programs support Coast Guard members, spouses and families, and dependent children. These programs include:
scholarships for college and professional certifications to help make the dream of a higher education a reality for Coast Guard family members and those who serve; morale and wellness support to strengthen Coast Guard members’ service and build community among families;
tragedy assistance for Coast Guard families when faced with a member’s critical injury or death;
disaster relief support following the devastation of natural disasters.
A more comprehensive list of programs and how they benefit Coast Guard members and families can be found on the organization’s website. Application deadlines and program eligibility are updated regularly online and on social network channels, and communication about Coast Guard Foundation programs is shared through the Ombudsman’s network, Coast Guard Spouse Clubs, Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association and ALCOAST messages.
Coast Guard Foundation Headquarters
394 Taugwonk Road Stonington, CT 06378
Phone: 860-535-0786
www.coastguardfoundation.org
Fisher House
Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military & veterans’ families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital.
These homes are located at military and VA medical centers around the world.
Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room.
Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $407 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.
Fisher House Foundation also operates the Hero Miles program, using donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members as well as the Hotels for Heroes program using donated hotel points to allow family members to stay at hotels near medical centers without charge. The Foundation also manages a grant program that supports other military charities and scholarship funds for military children, spouses and children of fallen and disabled veterans.
For more information on the Fisher House program, visit www.fisherhouse.org/.
National Military Family Association
The National Military Family Association (NMFA) is dedicated to identifying and resolving issues that are of concern to military families. Issues include compensation, dental and health care, relocation and housing, Reserve benefits, childcare and education, retiree and family member benefits.
NMFA represents active duty, Reserve and retired personnel and their families from all the services, as well as the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NMFA is an independent, nonprofit organization staffed by volunteers and financed by tax-deductible dues and donations.
National Military Family Association
3601 Eisenhower Ave, Suit 425
Alexandria, VA 22304
703-931-6632
www.nmfa.org
Naval Services FamilyLine
Naval Services FamilyLine (NSFL) is a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for sea service families. All Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard spouses are automatically considered as members. It is staffed by spouse volunteers and is financed solely through donations. NSFL was established in 1965 by a group of Navy wives who wanted to establish a channel of communication for all Navy spouses, officer and enlisted. It offers a continuum of education for Navy spouses at every milestone of their spouses’ career through free publications, seminars and mentoring.
NSFL is here to help and to share lessons that have been learned by those who have been in their shoes. They can answer questions about the military lifestyle via e-mail or telephone; provide information and referrals to any family member; distribute booklets and brochures free of charge; and offer educational programs for sea service spouses. NSFL also has field representatives at bases around the world to serve as local points of contact for NSFL. Most of NSFL’s publications can be viewed or downloaded at nsfamilyline.org/.
Naval Services FamilyLine
1043 Harwood St., SE, Bldg 154, Suite 100
Washington Navy Yard, D.C. 20374
202-433-2333, DSN 288 or toll-free 877-673-7773
http://nsfamilyline.org/; email: info@nsfamilyline.org
Navy Wives Clubs of America, Inc.
The Navy Wives Clubs of America, Inc., (NWCA) is the country’s only national federation of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard enlisted spouses. Chartered in 1936, with a federal charter being granted in 1984, NWCA is governed by an annually-elected National Board of Directors.
The purpose of NWCA is to promote a friendly, compassionate relationship among the spouses of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard enlisted personnel, to provide welfare and educational projects for families among the military and civilian communities, and to extend relief assistance to members in need, as well as other families of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel.
Membership is open to all spouses of enlisted sea service personnel serving on active duty, in the active or non-active Reserves, retired, honorably discharged or deceased. Associate membership is available to those who do not meet regular membership status.
NWCA is known for their National Scholarship Foundation that awards more than 30 scholarships a year to family member children of enlisted sea service personnel, as well as scholarships for family member spouses wishing to further their education. For more information on the NWCA, contact:
Navy Wives Clubs of America, Inc.
P.O. Box 54022
NSA Mid-South
Millington, TN 38054
www.navywivesclubsofamerica.org/
SkillPort
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contracted with SkillSoft, an on-line course provider, to provide unlimited access to Internet-based courseware. These courses are available without charge to all Coast Guard active duty, Reserve and civilian personnel along with their dependents.
The courses include 130 courses directly related to the Coast Guard’s Leadership Competencies. Coast Guard Employees must access SkillPort through the CG Portal. SkillPort provides access to “Books 24x7”; a collection of hundreds of books in three general categories: Business Professional, IT Professional and Office Essentials.
The Coast Guard provides access to SkillPort for the spouse and dependents of Coast Guard active duty, Reserve and civilian personnel. This program was created to help spouses and dependents develop career skills that are in demand in all job markets. Training is available in information technology, financial services, human resources and more. Spouse and dependents have access to all SkillPort resources after account approval and verification.
The Coast Guard members/employees must apply for an account on behalf of their spouses/dependents via CG Portal. After applying for an account, SkillPort administrators will verify your status in Direct Access before approval. Once administrators verify your status, login information will be emailed to you.
United Services Organization (USO)
The USO operates more than 130 centers around the world for military personnel and their families. USO programs and services include free Internet and email access, libraries and reading rooms, housing assistance, travel assistance, support groups, game rooms, nursery facilities and family crisis counseling. The USO operates airport centers, family and community centers and mobile canteens. Visit www.uso.org for a listing of USO centers in the United States and overseas.
USO World Headquarters
888-484-3876
www.uso.org
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) offers compassionate care to all those grieving the loss of a loved one who died while serving in the Armed Forces or because of his or her service. Since 1994, TAPS has provided comfort and hope 24/7 through a national peer support network and connection to grief resources, all at no cost to surviving families and loved ones.
TAPS provides a variety of programs to survivors nation and worldwide. The National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp is held annually in Washington, D.C., over Memorial Day weekend. TAPS also conducts regional survivor seminars for adults and youth programs at locations across the country, as well as retreats and expeditions around the world. Staff can get you connected to counseling in your community and help navigate benefits and resources.
The TAPS 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline is available toll-free with loving support and resources at 800-959-TAPS (8277).
TAPS
3033 Wilson Blvd. Third Floor
Arlington VA 22201
www.taps.org
Disclaimer: Links to non-federal entities are provided at this official Coast Guard web page as an administrative convenience only. The linked organizations might engage in fundraising activities. The Coast Guard cannot and does not officially endorse non-federal entities or their fundraising activities and the Coast Guard does not urge anyone to donate to any linked non-federal entity.