Beyond The Yellow Ribbon Program

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is a comprehensive program that connects military service members and their families with community support and resources. We do this by:
  • Creating a community support network
  • Coordinating local organization, agencies and companies
  • Engaging the entire community
We Are With You Every Step of the Way
The Meeker County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Community Partnership is committed to connect local military family members with a community network of support a system that:
  • Is understood and trusted by military families
  • Ensures military residents and their families are recognized and can access information and services during the deployment cycle
  • Is sustainable for future military families as deployment becomes necessary
We believe the effects of deployment do not end when the soldier returns home and the family is reunited. This process can take months for some families, and years for others.

How Important a Yellow Ribbon Community Is
"When my service member was deployed I felt so alone. I was home with the kids and just had to make things work. But there were days it took everything in me to make it through... when the toilet was plugged on a Saturday night, or our 2-year-old couldn't be calmed as I tried to shovel the car out of the driveway and get her to daycare on time. To know someone was willing to support me... if my community would have been behind me in his absence, it would have made all the difference." - The spouse of a Minnesota service member.

Communities Served
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon serves Meeker County, including all township and cities of:
  • Cedar Mills
  • Cosmos
  • Darwin
  • Dassel
  • Eden Valley
  • Grove City
  • Kingston
  • Litchfield
  • Watkins
Key Areas of Focus
  • County and city leadership
  • Yellow Ribbon Steering Committee
  • Public safety / judicial
  • Faith based organizations
  • Veteran / Civic organizations
  • Businesses / Employers
  • Social services / medical providers
  • Education / Youth
Available Services
These are just some of the services available to military service members and their families either while the service member is deployed or upon his/her return home. We are committed to supporting the often difficult transitions experienced by our fighting men and women.
  • Employment assistance
  • Marriage and family counseling
  • Chore services (e.g., lawn care, snow removal, plumbing, and electrical)
  • Prayer support
  • Parades and ceremonies that honor our military service members
  • Veterans Day programs at area high schools
  • Transportation, medical equipment, and monetary assistance
  • Special coupons for discounts at local businesses
  • Job counseling, entrepreneur support and business assistance
  • Provide money and debt management counseling, budgeting help, and tax preparation services
  • Support and help ensure successful return to work
  • Resources for youth and children with deployed parent(s)
Mission Statement
In continuing Minnesota's proud history of supporting our nation's military, Yellow Ribbon supports efforts in key areas within local communities to leverage existing support activities, build awareness, make commitments and take action to recognize and support service members, military families and employers in Meeker County.