Civic Agenda: Whatcom County, community partners offer veterans services

Our country has established Nov. 11 as Veterans Day, a day to honor the men and women who have served our country. Veterans make up a diverse and robust part of Whatcom County. Many folks might not realize that almost 10 percent of Whatcom County residents have served in the U.S. armed forces. These veterans can be found working in our schools, hospitals, farms and fisheries, small and large businesses, and fill numerous positions in our private and public sectors. They are our family members, friends and neighbors. They are members of our community.

The Whatcom County Veterans Assistance Program would like to thank all veterans for their past service to our nation and for their ongoing contributions that help make Whatcom County great.

The transition from being an active duty service member to being a good community member is an individual growth challenge for each veteran. That transition can be a tougher journey for some veterans. The Whatcom County Veterans Assistance Program is part of our local veteran provider community that is here to help veterans with that process.

Whatcom County has dedicated an entire program to help our veterans, and it works year-long to help local veterans in need. The county-based program is funded through a small portion of local property taxes, and is staffed by veterans.

For veterans that are transitioning in our community or for those veterans who simply need some extra help, there are numerous services and resources available. These services and resources are coordinated through the Veterans Assistance Program. Here are some of the programs and services offered:

▪  Short-term financial assistance for basic needs such as monthly housing payments or utility bills, and assistance with household budgeting;

▪  Connection with the local Veterans Administration Subsidized Housing Program to ensure formerly homeless veterans have the housing, goods and services essential to create a home;

▪  Legal assistance through our partner, LAW Advocates, to help veterans with civil issues, for example navigating the Social Security system, or past legal issues such as a suspended driver’s license, in order to help get them job ready;

▪  Dental services through our partner, the Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement, to help a veteran gain a new smile and the confidence to go and get that job they have been wanting;

▪  Transportation to essential appointments through our partner, the Whatcom Volunteer Center and Disabled American Veterans, to ensure that veterans can attend their medical appointments or go to the grocery store;

▪  Working with Western Washington University, Whatcom Community College, and Bellingham Technical College to help facilitate a smooth transition for our student veterans and ensure they have what they need to succeed in school;

▪  Burial assistance to help veteran families lay to rest their loved one;

▪  Connection to mental health or addiction treatment;

▪  Connection to Social Service agencies, and especially our valued partner in housing, the Opportunity Council and its Homeless Service Center;

▪  Veteran service officers to help veterans file for the federal Veterans Administration compensation and benefits they have earned during service to our nation. We are able to do this through our hard working volunteers with Disabled American Veterans and Vietnam Veterans of America.

These various programs serve to offer a “hand up” to local veterans who are challenged with tough times. Our program is focused on assisting veterans in their journey toward self-reliance and the pride that comes with achievement. It is a privilege to do this work, and we have many wonderful community partners to help us.

In addition to these programs and services, Whatcom County is blessed with local grassroots veterans groups. The Veteran Navigator Program, headed by Doris Kent, is comprised of local veterans and family members who go out in the community to help veterans access their VA benefits. Growing Veterans, headed by local Iraq War veteran, Chris Brown, helps both veterans and civilians work together to find healing through camaraderie and working with the earth as they also learn essential business skills.

Whatcom County’s community is a vibrant one and we are grateful to be part of its veteran community and share in the successes of our veterans.

The Whatcom County Veterans Assistance Program office is located in Bellingham on the lower level of the Whatcom County Health Department at 509 Girard St. If you are interested in learning more about local veterans programs, please call the office at 360-778-6050.

This story was originally published November 7, 2015 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Civic Agenda: Whatcom County, community partners offer veterans services."