I Owe You

www.WisVets.com/IOweYou

I Owe You is designed to connect veterans and veterans’ families with the information they need to access federal veterans benefits.

Veterans! “I Owe You!” is working for you.

Because of changes in federal law, many Wisconsin veterans were not aware they were eligible for federal veterans benefits and Wisconsin was lagging far behind in federal support for its state veterans.

“I Owe You’’ has rebuilt their awareness and continues to do so. Wisconsin and its veterans are now receiving millions more each year in federal veterans funds than when the program started.

“I Owe You” is an integrated communications and outreach program, including:

• Veterans Benefits Supermarkets. These are one-day and two-day events held in communities around the state during which the WDVA reaches out to veterans and their family members. At meeting halls, armories, convention centers around Wisconsin, the WDVA coordinates with many state, federal and local agencies that serve veterans, the elderly and low-income people. Each “Supermarket’’ consists of dozens of information “booths’’ at which veterans can obtain everything from veterans home loan information to flu shots.

• Media outreach. “Supermarkets” are offered as a news event in each local community. When contacted by the WDVA, local newspaper, radio and television journalists show great interest in this program because veterans’ issues are a national and statewide story. Local television and radio morning programs and talk shows have also shown great interest in Wisconsin’s effort to serve its veterans. Each event is advertised in local media and accompanied by word-of-mouth and poster communication by county and tribal Veterans Service Officers who are tremendous partners in this effort.

• Poster campaign, local outreach. Veterans who don’t know they’re eligible are sometimes hard to reach. They may not have families or receive a local newspaper. We’ve created a poster that describes the Uncle Sam program that we’ve placed in post offices, community centers, banks, government offices, churches – every place where it is possible to reach those who otherwise might not learn about "I Owe You.’’

• It’s statewide and comprehensive. Since I Owe You began, we’ve had thousands of contacts with veterans and veterans family members at numerous one and two day Supermarkets around the state. Wisconsin today receives millions more in federal VA benefits and federal VA funding each year! I Owe You was entered in a contest by the Harvard Business School for effective program communication and the Council of State Governments Innovations Award program.