ABOUT US

The Minnesota Paralyzed Veterans of America was granted chapter status in1993. Our office is located within the Minneapolis VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN. Our current membership is over 300. The Minnesota PVA is an IRS, tax exempt - 501 (c) 3 organization registered with the State of Minnesota and as such all gifts are tax deductible.

 The National Paralyzed Veterans of America was founded in 1947, with a total membership of over 21,000 in all 50 states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. PVA is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of individuals with spinal cord injury or disease.

                                   

PVA MISSION STATEMENT

Founded in 1946, the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) is a national organization dedicated to serving former members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have suffered catastrophic paralysis as a result of spinal cord injury or disease. By Public law 92-93 (1971), the U.S. Congress charted PVA.

 

KEY OBJECTIVES

The key objective of the Paralyzed Veterans of America is to take those actions necessary to restore spinal cord injury or diseased victims’ bodies and life potentials as closely as humanly possible to those Americans not suffering spinal cord dysfunction. This will be accomplished by the coordinated efforts of the PVA organization through programs to:

• Advocate for and monitor the delivery of high quality and appropriate health care benefits and services
• Assist to identify and secure veterans’ benefits and other benefits for paralyzed veterans and others as appropriate
• Promote medical research to cure spinal cord dysfunction and other related problems
• Educate society about the attitudinal, physical, and legal barriers that confront persons with disabilities in order to influence the removal of those barriers
• Provide information and opportunities for health promotion, recreation, employment, sports, services, and camaraderie for paralyzed veterans and others as appropriate
• Cooperate with and see the support of other groups and individuals that share PVA’S objectives
• Acquaint the public with the current and ongoing needs and current and past contributions of America’s veterans
• Acquaint the public with simple and effective means for reducing the risk of or preventing spinal cord injury
• Promote involvement of the public in national and local activities that support PVA’S mission

 

PROGRAMS

MNPVA serves its’ members by providing a variety of programs that fulfill our organizational mission. In specific, MNPVA is mandated by charter to discharge (8) eight nationally directed programs:

 

Administration

MNPVA maintains an administrative office within the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, one Veterans Drive, 4th floor, room 131, Minneapolis, MN 55417, to service the needs and interests of the membership. The office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Richard Jost (Executive Director) and Dianna Way (Office Assistant) are happy to assist MNPVA’s membership.

Advocacy

MNPVA advocates for our members and the disabled community by remaining cognizant of local and national disability issues. We remain actively vigilant in assisting and representing our members regarding anything affecting their civil rights when issues regarding disabilities arise. MNPVA also maintains a vocal and visible presence on disability related issues in the community. We strive to vocally promote fair opportunity and equal access.

Communication

MNPVA maintains active communication with our members and the disabled community through a variety of resources. We provide a by-monthly newsletter, hold meetings of the membership at various locations throughout the State of Minnesota, do special mailings to the membership when necessary and work with local disability organizations to ensure national and local information regarding disabled issues are provided to our membership.

Fundraising

MNPVA has a contract with Insight Teleservices to raise funds within the State of Minnesota to assist our members as help is needed. We also continue to sell the Kelly Leg Bands (leg retainers) and Minnesota Bowling Ramps.

Liaison

MNPVA continues to have an excellent relationship with the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. The patients are visited Monday through Friday by some of our members and the National Service Officer visits them twice a week. MNPVA visits each VA Facility in the state to visit with patients there. We continually provide support for several recreational programs within our hospital and Veterans Homes throughout the State.

Membership

MNPVA has an active membership throughout the state of Minnesota. We have general membership meetings throughout the state, the annual picnic is held in June and our annual banquet is held in September every year. We actively pursue new members and volunteers.

Sports and Recreation

MNPVA maintains an active sport and recreation program for its members and all persons with disabilities, the ability to be active in sports or become involved with a recreational event. Our primary goal is to get the members involved whether young or old, and newly injured or long time wheelchair user. This program provides health benefits by keeping active, support among the members during each event and the camaraderie developed among the athletes at each event is priceless.

Service Office

We currently have a full time service officer (Jason Stephenson Senior NSO) to deal with veterans’ benefits and health care. Complete information is listed in the “Contact Us” link.