Support Veterans with Canadian Legion Initiative

Your branch plays a crucial role in helping veterans access VAC benefits and support—but too many still don’t know where to turn. That’s where we come in. Avail Veteran, the official RED Friday partner for the Maritimes, is here to help promote your Legion branch and the services you already offer.

As a veteran-led social media powerhouse, we’re launching a coordinated RED Friday campaign to shine a spotlight on Legion branches across the region. Our team will create and share professional content to boost your visibility, highlight your branch’s frontline work, and connect you with veterans and families who need support.

We’ll also feature your branch through our Veteran-Owned Business Directory and mobile app—tools designed to drive more awareness, foot traffic, and impact in your community. Together, we can ensure that no veteran is left behind.

Your legion Branch

Who we are:

Red Friday Talks is a Veteran-owned initiative dedicated to honoring service, building community, and supporting mental wellness for Veterans, First Responders, and their families. We work hand-in-hand with Legion and ANAVETS branches to help you grow, thrive, and serve even more heroes.

How we can help your branch

Boost local engagement:

Host Red Friday public events,

BBQs, family days, and more.

Support Member Wellness:

Access peer support,

Support Our Heroes Software

mental health tips, and buddy checks.

We bring proven activities, tools, and support that help your branch grow stronger while honoring our shared mission.

📋 What's Included

(Easy checklist with simple visual ticks ✅)

✅ Red Friday Talks Event Templates (Posters, Invitations, Guides)
✅ Access to Our Heroes Mental Health App and Public Service safety Network
✅ Peer Support Training (Online and In-Person)
✅ Mental Wellness Resources for Members and Families
✅ Advocacy Training for Veterans Affairs Applications
✅ Extesnive online traing and socila media support
✅ Dedicated Support Team to Help You Succeed

Questions? Please contact or see all the details below.

Increase Branch Visibility:

Get new members, families,

supporters connected to your branch.

What our community gets by us working together

About RED Friday Talks

RED Friday Talks is a 20 year old organization and online platform dedicated to empowering communities through peer support. We primarily serve veterans, first responders, military personnel, and their families by offering training and resources to help them address trauma, stress, and related challenges. Its offerings are rooted in decades of experience in military and emergency services and are designed to foster resilience and well-being.

Mission and Purpose: The mission of RED Friday Talks is to provide free and accessible peer support training and to build strong networks that enhance mental wellness among those who serve and sacrifice. The platform emphasizes:

Empowerment through Education: By delivering training on active listening, recognizing emotional distress, and self-care strategies, the site aims to equip individuals with the skills needed to support themselves and others.
Advocacy and Community Building: It seeks to transform the original grassroots spirit of wearing red on Fridays—a symbol of support for deployed service members—into an ongoing movement of wellness and connection.

Historical Background and Community Roots

RED Friday Talks has its origins in the Red Friday grassroots movement. The concept began in the early 2000s when two military spouses, Karen Boire and Lisa Miller, initiated a simple act of wearing red on Fridays to show solidarity with deployed service members. This movement quickly spread across Canada, evolving from a symbolic gesture into a full-fledged community initiative. Today, the organization has expanded this legacy into a comprehensive peer support network, ensuring that those who serve receive the practical help they need.

Social Media and Extended Presence

Beyond the main website, RED Friday Talks maintains an active presence on various social media platforms including YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. These channels provide additional content, updates, and insights into their ongoing initiatives, such as commemorating milestones like their 20th anniversary.

youtube.com

RED Friday Talks effectively bridges the gap between a symbolic act of support and tangible mental health resources. Its comprehensive training programs—ranging from free introductory courses to advanced, certified modules—are designed to meet the unique needs of first responders, veterans, and service communities. With its clear mission, community-oriented approach, and accessible resources, the website stands out as a valuable tool for building resilience and fostering supportive networks among those who serve.

Why Your Branch Should Support This Initiative

For a one-time fee of $400 CAD (the first 100 branches in Canada), your branch can play a critical role in supporting veterans, first responders, and their families while also receiving significant promotional benefits. This initiative is more than just a directory—it is a community-driven movement that provides training, business opportunities, and peer support to those who have served. By participating, your branch will be recognized as a key supporter of this mission while gaining long-term exposure and engagement.

Your Branch Featured in the SupportOurHeroes Directory

As a participating branch, you will receive a dedicated listing in North America’s premier veteran-owned and supporter-funded business directory. This listing increases your branch’s visibility and establishes it as an active supporter of veterans and their families. Visitors to the directory will see your branch’s name among those committed to making a real difference in the lives of those who served.

Social Media Promotion & Visibility

Your branch will benefit from ongoing social media promotion through SupportOurHeroes.directory’s digital platforms. This exposure, if purchased separately, would cost over $2000 per year, but your branch will receive a minimum of three years’ worth of advertising for just $133 per year. This means that for a one-time contribution, your branch will gain consistent recognition and engagement within the veteran and supporter community, ensuring that its efforts are both seen and appreciated.

Participation in Red Friday Talks Events

By joining this initiative, your branch will have the opportunity to be part of the national Red Friday Talks movement. These events raise awareness about veterans’ issues and help build stronger community connections. If your branch is interested in hosting its own Red Friday Talks event, we will connect you with successful branches like Legion Branch 551, which have already developed best practices and strategies for organizing impactful gatherings. Through these events, your branch can increase local engagement and demonstrate leadership in veteran advocacy.

Support for Veteran-Owned Businesses

One of the most impactful aspects of this initiative is the free business directory listing offered to any veteran entrepreneur referred by your branch. Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be challenging, and for many veterans, owning a business provides a new mission, financial stability, and a renewed sense of purpose. By referring veterans to SupportOurHeroes.directory, your branch helps them take meaningful steps toward success, ensuring they have the visibility and customer reach they need to thrive.

Exclusive Access to Veteran and First Responder Support Programs

SupportOurHeroes.directory is not just about business—it is about providing essential support systems for veterans, first responders, and their families. We offer free peer support and family support training, focusing on the unique challenges faced by military families. Special attention is given to developing new coping strategies for spouses of veterans with PTSD, a group that is often overlooked in traditional support programs.

Through a groundbreaking collaboration with Avail Veteran, your branch will be supporting the launch of the world’s first Doctors Clinic & Peer Support Social Media Enterprise. This initiative will provide veterans and first responders with direct access to medical and mental health resources, ensuring that they receive the support they need. By becoming a part of this movement, your branch actively contributes to a first-of-its-kind support network that is shaping the future of veteran care.

Simple & Easy Participation Requirements

Participation in this initiative requires minimal effort. Your branch simply needs to repost at least two Red Friday Talks social media posts per month. These posts are designed to spread awareness, share important updates, and inspire community involvement. No additional work is required—SupportOurHeroes.directory provides all the content, so all your branch has to do is help amplify the message.

The Value of Your Contribution

For just $400 CAD (one-time payment), your branch receives over $6000 worth of social media promotions, three years of exposure in the leading veteran business directory, and recognition as a national supporter of veterans and first responders. In addition, your branch will have access to expert guidance for organizing Red Friday Talks events, free business listings for veterans you refer, and ongoing training programs that support military families.

This is more than just a promotional opportunity—it is a chance to create a lasting impact. Your contribution ensures that veterans and their families receive the support, resources, and recognition they deserve.