Will County Board
302 N. Chicago Street
Joliet, Illinois 60432
815-740-4602
countyboard@willcountyillinois.com
  • Home
  • About the Board
    • Board Members >
      • Steve Balich
      • Julie Berkowicz
      • Daniel J. Butler
      • Natalie Coleman
      • Elnalyn Costa
      • Katie Deane-Schlottman
      • Janet Diaz
      • Mica Freeman
      • Vince Logan
      • Raquel M. Mitchell
      • Meta Mueller
      • Sherry Newquist
      • Judy Ogalla
      • Destinee Ortiz
      • Annette Parker
      • Frankie Pretzel
      • Mark V. Revis
      • Jim Richmond
      • Jacqueline Traynere
      • Joe VanDuyne
      • Sherry Williams
      • Denise Winfrey
    • District Maps
    • Mission, Vision, Values
    • Policies
  • Meetings
    • Board Meetings
    • Caucus Meetings (Democratic)
    • Caucus Meetings (Republican)
    • Committees >
      • Capital Improvements Committee
      • Committee of the Whole
      • Diversity & Inclusion Committee
      • Executive Committee
      • Finance Committee
      • Land Use & Development Committee
      • Legislative & Judicial Committee
      • Public Health & Safety Committee
      • Public Works & Transportation Committee
    • Meetings Calendar
    • Meeting Videos
  • Contact
    • Will County Offices
  • Resources
    • COVID-19 >
      • American Rescue Plan Act
      • CARES Act
    • FAQ
    • Legislative
    • Will County Master Plan >
      • Capital Projects >
        • Animal Control Facility
        • County Office Building
        • Health Department Facility
        • Public Safety Complex >
          • Public safety complex bids
        • Will County Courthouse
      • Transportation >
        • Transportation Studies
  • News
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
    • 2009
    • 2008
    • 2007/6
  • New Page

Shining a light on military caregivers

10/22/2021

 
JOLIET –The Will County Board hopes to increase support and funding for caregivers of disabled veterans and service members by becoming a Hidden Heroes community. The Board passed a resolution today that moves the County closer to that designation. Hidden Heroes communities are eligible for funding for military caregivers and have access to more national support networks.
​
“This is something that is very near and dear to me,” said County Board Member Natalie Coleman (Plainfield). “My father was a veteran and I’m also a veteran.”
Coleman and fellow Board Member Mica Freemen (Plainfield) learned about the Hidden Heroes program when they attended an annual conference of the National Association of Counties (NACo) in Washington, DC earlier this year. They both reached out to the Superintendent of the Will County Veterans Assistance Commission, Kristi McNichol, to see what steps the county could take to become a designated Hidden Heroes community. 

Freeman’s Aunt, Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught, helped to found the Military Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C. for American women veterans. She said that the county has an opportunity to provide resources and support for a group of people that sometimes fall through the cracks.

“Brave women and men like my Aunt Wilma, risk their lives every day in defense of our nation. Upon their return home, some need assistance from caregivers,” said Freeman. “To honor her legacy and the service of others like her, I wanted to do something here at home in Will County. As a Hidden Heroes Community, Will County will be able to provide additional resources and a support network for these Hidden Heroes. I am proud to have played a role in this step toward honoring our nation’s service members.”

Hidden Heroes is a program of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, which is dedicated to strengthening and empowering the nation’s military and veteran caregivers. Caregivers are encouraged to register with Hidden Heroes at www.HiddenHeroes.org so that community leaders can better understand their unique needs and help connect them to helpful resources and support.
​
 “Many of our veterans are young – 20, 30, 40 years old – their lives may have been dramatically changed by an injury and they need a lot of care,” said Coleman. “We don’t always consider the individuals that provide the care for a disabled veteran. It’s often a spouse or parent or child and they also need support. This doesn’t cost the county anything and it has the potential to do a lot of good.”

Comments are closed.
    Picture
    Contact:
    countyboard@willcountyillinois.com

    Archives:

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

    RSS Feed

Copyright (c) Will County Board