Statewide, AZ – (Dec. 11, 2024) – In the Leader Lens series, we’re spotlighting the perspectives and visions of community leaders who are shaping a brighter future for veterans in Arizona. During a recent Team of Teams meeting, each leader was asked a thought-provoking question: If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about our work or our military and veteran community, what would it be? Each leader shared their vision, shedding light on a unique way to enhance support for veterans and their families. Today, we’re diving into Maureen McCarthy’s vision, which centers around increasing visibility for veterans’ resources and community support.

Maureen McCarthy is a dedicated community advocate, passionate about creating an environment where veterans can easily find support and be recognized for their service. For Maureen, a key factor in improving the lives of veterans lies in the power of visibility. She believes that increasing public awareness of available resources can lead to greater community involvement and help more veterans connect with valuable services.

One specific idea she proposed is to distribute Be Connected informational materials during the annual Veterans Day parades in Arizona. The parades would be a natural platform for the community to learn about the wealth of resources available to veterans and their families. Maureen envisions the parades as a proactive approach to outreach, where every person leaves with materials that could help connect a veteran to the right services.

The Vision: Increasing Visibility for Veterans’ Resources

Maureen’s vision highlights the importance of making veteran resources readily visible and accessible. She shares that while there are numerous services designed to help veterans, a significant portion of the community remains unaware of them. By bringing resources directly to the public, she believes we can bridge this gap and ensure that veterans know where to turn for assistance. The annual parades, as Maureen sees them, serve as a conduit for sharing essential information with veterans, their families, and their supporters.

At a Veterans Day parade, organizations could set up booths, hand out informational pamphlets, and engage directly with attendees. Through these interactions, attendees could better understand how they can support veterans and potentially even volunteer or get involved in veteran support initiatives. For veterans who attend, this could be a day of camaraderie and connection, with resources and friendly faces readily available.

Maureen’s vision is an inspiring call to action for the community. She reminds us that visibility is a crucial component of support—without awareness, even the best services cannot fulfill their purpose. We can all play a role in making this vision a reality. Imagine a future where each Veterans Day parade in Arizona serves as a beacon of support and information for veterans.

Further Reading

• We Asked, Amanda French Answered
• We Asked, Dee Person Answered
• We Asked, John Scott Answered
• We Asked, Lori Highberger Answered
• We Asked, Steve Sample Answered
• We Asked, Sylvia Preston Answered
• We Asked, Tara Bingdazzo Answered
• We Asked, Thomas Winkel Answered
• We Asked, Wanda Wright Answered