1 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:11,560 Speaker 1: From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England 2 00:00:11,640 --> 00:00:14,200 Speaker 1: Weekend where each and every week right here we come 3 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:16,919 Speaker 1: together we talk about all the topics important to you 4 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:19,480 Speaker 1: and the place where you live. Thanks again for tuning 5 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:22,720 Speaker 1: in this week. I'm Nicole Davis. Recently, of course, we 6 00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:25,160 Speaker 1: marked Veterans Day to pay tribute to all the service 7 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:28,000 Speaker 1: members who give their time, health, energy and much more, 8 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:31,080 Speaker 1: all to keep our nations safe. However, veterans are in 9 00:00:31,120 --> 00:00:33,879 Speaker 1: need of resources and help all year round, not just 10 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:36,400 Speaker 1: one day, and here in New England they've got a 11 00:00:36,479 --> 00:00:40,200 Speaker 1: big ally in a Worcester nonprofit called Veterans Inc. From 12 00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:44,680 Speaker 1: housing programs to healthcare, suicide prevention to case management, Veterans Inc. 13 00:00:44,720 --> 00:00:47,600 Speaker 1: Covers it all in much more than that. Ray Carville 14 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:50,440 Speaker 1: is the public affairs manager at Veterans Inc. Ray, thank 15 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:52,479 Speaker 1: you for the time. First off, tell us a bit 16 00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:55,880 Speaker 1: more about the organization, your history and how this all works. 17 00:00:56,240 --> 00:00:58,720 Speaker 2: The surprising thing that everybody says about Veterans Inc. Is 18 00:00:59,320 --> 00:01:02,720 Speaker 2: where the large nonprofit provider of supportive services to veterans 19 00:01:02,720 --> 00:01:04,760 Speaker 2: and their families in New England that nobody's ever heard of. 20 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:08,720 Speaker 2: So this will actually be our thirty fifth year, which 21 00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:12,520 Speaker 2: is shocking. We're celebrating our thirty fifth anniversary next year. 22 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:16,680 Speaker 2: We began right here in Worcester, Massachusetts, back in nineteen 23 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:20,200 Speaker 2: ninety one, and when we originally opened up, we opened 24 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:23,199 Speaker 2: up in the historic National Guard Armory in downtown Worcester. 25 00:01:23,280 --> 00:01:26,679 Speaker 2: It was solely as a shelter for homeless veteran veterans, 26 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:30,920 Speaker 2: who at the time were predominantly Vietnam veterans, some Korean 27 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 2: War veterans, and of course all men, all men. In 28 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:37,800 Speaker 2: that thirty five years, our mission has changed extraordinarily. We 29 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:41,600 Speaker 2: realized that just providing housing to veterans, although that's a 30 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:44,640 Speaker 2: critical step. When you are able to house someone, you're 31 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:47,199 Speaker 2: able to give them an environment which they can begin 32 00:01:47,280 --> 00:01:49,560 Speaker 2: to heal, where they can begin to address the traumas 33 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 2: that they're going through and they can start creating a 34 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:56,200 Speaker 2: plan for getting themselves reoriented and reintegreated back into our communities. 35 00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:58,840 Speaker 2: But we realized housing wasn't enough, because how is that 36 00:01:58,880 --> 00:02:02,840 Speaker 2: person going to keep the housing they have unless you 37 00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:04,960 Speaker 2: give them a job, and not just a job, but 38 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:07,360 Speaker 2: a job where they can find dignity, where they can 39 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:09,720 Speaker 2: make a living wage, where they can afford to keep 40 00:02:09,760 --> 00:02:12,440 Speaker 2: that housing, and how can we expect our veterans or 41 00:02:12,480 --> 00:02:15,120 Speaker 2: anybody else to get up every day and go into 42 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:16,920 Speaker 2: the office to earn the money to pay for that 43 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:19,040 Speaker 2: housing that they already have if they don't have their 44 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:21,720 Speaker 2: mental wellness. And so that's become a big part of 45 00:02:21,760 --> 00:02:24,800 Speaker 2: what we do here too. Now we're very proud in 46 00:02:24,840 --> 00:02:27,800 Speaker 2: those thirty five years to have expanded to all six 47 00:02:27,880 --> 00:02:31,440 Speaker 2: New England states as well as Montana and North Dakota. 48 00:02:31,480 --> 00:02:33,639 Speaker 2: And I am so pleased to say that we have 49 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:36,480 Speaker 2: a grant program, a free program for veterans in their 50 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:39,640 Speaker 2: families for just about every situation that a veteran could encounter. 51 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:42,800 Speaker 1: That is incredible. And let's talk about the difference between 52 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:45,400 Speaker 1: what they have waiting for them when they come home 53 00:02:45,760 --> 00:02:48,800 Speaker 1: from service, what the federal government can give, or what 54 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:52,160 Speaker 1: the federal government doesn't always give, and how you're able 55 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:55,520 Speaker 1: to kind of come in and help them become that 56 00:02:55,639 --> 00:02:57,359 Speaker 1: whole veteran that you all talk about. 57 00:02:57,800 --> 00:03:00,520 Speaker 2: Sure, So so I'll speak about this as many of 58 00:03:00,560 --> 00:03:02,840 Speaker 2: the staff here do who are also veterans. You know, 59 00:03:02,880 --> 00:03:05,200 Speaker 2: I come at this from from a from an army perspective, 60 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:09,240 Speaker 2: and I went through that transitional period and experiencing it 61 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:12,160 Speaker 2: then and working with veterans. Now, you know, it's it's 62 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:15,120 Speaker 2: so obvious that that leaving the military is one of 63 00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:18,440 Speaker 2: the greatest inflection points that anybody will ever experience in 64 00:03:18,480 --> 00:03:21,720 Speaker 2: their lives. Why is that, Well, because in a very 65 00:03:21,760 --> 00:03:25,360 Speaker 2: short matter of time, you're leaving behind so many things. Right. 66 00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:27,920 Speaker 2: You're leaving behind your job, so that's a paycheck, right. 67 00:03:27,919 --> 00:03:30,760 Speaker 2: You're also leaving behind your health insurance. You're leaving behind 68 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:33,640 Speaker 2: where you lived, your comrades in arms, your friends. You 69 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:37,960 Speaker 2: know that that bond that's created amongst amongst soldiers, ceremony, airmen, 70 00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:41,360 Speaker 2: and Marines while they're in You're leaving behind that mission. 71 00:03:42,320 --> 00:03:44,960 Speaker 2: And what they give you is really not that much information. 72 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 2: They give you a transition course in a state where 73 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:50,760 Speaker 2: you're likely to never return, on a base that you're 74 00:03:50,840 --> 00:03:53,080 Speaker 2: never going to go on to again, and it doesn't 75 00:03:53,120 --> 00:03:54,840 Speaker 2: really address these things. Right, You're going to be coming 76 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:58,400 Speaker 2: back to your domicilliary state. You probably haven't been there 77 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:00,800 Speaker 2: in six seven years. Maybe the lands gape has changed, 78 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:04,400 Speaker 2: the streets are different, Your contact network, your support network 79 00:04:04,480 --> 00:04:06,600 Speaker 2: might not be there any longer. You may come back 80 00:04:06,600 --> 00:04:10,160 Speaker 2: and be crashing on a friend's house, crashing on your parents' couch. 81 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:14,000 Speaker 2: But there's such uncertainty. You've been thrust back into this 82 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:16,960 Speaker 2: world with very few resources. So what I hope, my 83 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:19,279 Speaker 2: hope for the future is that when the Department of 84 00:04:19,279 --> 00:04:24,400 Speaker 2: Defense transitions a military member back into the civilian force 85 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:27,800 Speaker 2: as a veteran, that they integrate with nonprofits and community 86 00:04:27,880 --> 00:04:30,080 Speaker 2: organizations that are on the ground and the states where 87 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:33,360 Speaker 2: their soldiers are going back to, because where the agile ones, 88 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:35,640 Speaker 2: where the responsive ones, and we can work with these 89 00:04:35,680 --> 00:04:38,040 Speaker 2: folks in real time to try and ensure that they 90 00:04:38,040 --> 00:04:40,600 Speaker 2: don't encounter these crises during their transition. 91 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:43,080 Speaker 1: To begin with, how have you seen that transition change 92 00:04:43,080 --> 00:04:45,880 Speaker 1: from when you left the service and now here in 93 00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:48,919 Speaker 1: twenty twenty five when we have people transitioning out now, 94 00:04:49,279 --> 00:04:51,679 Speaker 1: is it easier for them? Is it more difficult the same? 95 00:04:51,760 --> 00:04:52,520 Speaker 1: What do you see? 96 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:55,600 Speaker 2: Well, one of the most important things that I've discovered 97 00:04:55,760 --> 00:04:58,680 Speaker 2: I got out in twenty twelve, and since that time, 98 00:04:58,760 --> 00:05:02,160 Speaker 2: the discussion of men mental health and wellness and substance 99 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:07,600 Speaker 2: abuse amongst our veterans has has so increased and so embraced. 100 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:12,479 Speaker 2: The vast experiences the veterans encounter. Why when they go 101 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:15,920 Speaker 2: back out into the world because of experiences veteran their 102 00:05:15,960 --> 00:05:19,799 Speaker 2: experiences in the military. Veterans tend to have more traumatic 103 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:23,400 Speaker 2: situations that they've they've experienced in their lives and those 104 00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:25,320 Speaker 2: traumas and they don't have to be from the military. 105 00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:27,640 Speaker 2: They could be an adverse childhood experience. They could be 106 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:31,359 Speaker 2: trauma that happened after the military. But between the injuries 107 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:34,640 Speaker 2: physical and mental injuries that they suffer during their service 108 00:05:34,680 --> 00:05:37,520 Speaker 2: and that trauma that tends to feed into some pretty 109 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:41,160 Speaker 2: tough substance use issues. And when you combine post traumatic 110 00:05:41,160 --> 00:05:44,800 Speaker 2: stress disorder with substance use, it's a very difficult co 111 00:05:44,839 --> 00:05:49,160 Speaker 2: occurring situation to address. We realized that this is one 112 00:05:49,200 --> 00:05:52,039 Speaker 2: of the predominant drivers of suicidality, it's one of the 113 00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:55,600 Speaker 2: predominant drivers of homelessness and of unemployment. It's that it's 114 00:05:55,680 --> 00:05:58,640 Speaker 2: mental health and wellness and substance use disorders, and so 115 00:05:58,760 --> 00:06:01,040 Speaker 2: veterans inc. We were very proud to about eight years 116 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:04,720 Speaker 2: ago open the first in the nation long term recovery 117 00:06:04,760 --> 00:06:07,320 Speaker 2: program for veterans and their adult family members who are 118 00:06:07,320 --> 00:06:12,360 Speaker 2: experiencing co occurring post traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder, 119 00:06:12,440 --> 00:06:18,000 Speaker 2: and that medically assisted treatment program does wonders it saves lives, 120 00:06:18,040 --> 00:06:20,960 Speaker 2: it changes lives. I'm so lucky to be a part 121 00:06:20,960 --> 00:06:25,000 Speaker 2: of an organization that sees the difficulties and the challenges 122 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:27,560 Speaker 2: that veterans in their families face every day and have 123 00:06:27,680 --> 00:06:29,599 Speaker 2: taken measurable steps to address them. 124 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:32,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's all about finding that purpose I feel once. 125 00:06:32,839 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 1: I've never served, so I can't speak to this firsthand, 126 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 1: but I feel from the other veterans I've spoken to 127 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:40,200 Speaker 1: and other nonprofits I've spoken to, it's about finding that 128 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:43,000 Speaker 1: purpose that when you're in the service every day, you 129 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:45,160 Speaker 1: know you've got a job to do, you've got deadlines 130 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:46,520 Speaker 1: to meet, you've got to be here, you've got to 131 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:49,560 Speaker 1: do this. You're working all toward the same goal. And 132 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:52,799 Speaker 1: then you come home and it's like, what is my goal? Now? 133 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:55,080 Speaker 1: What am I doing with my life? And that is 134 00:06:55,120 --> 00:06:57,599 Speaker 1: a big question for anybody, much less somebody who is 135 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:01,599 Speaker 1: just segueing out of such a big role in their lives. 136 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:03,520 Speaker 2: You know, I think there's two matters to that. I 137 00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:05,800 Speaker 2: think the first is dignity and the first is purpose. 138 00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:08,560 Speaker 2: You know that there's for a veteran to be fully 139 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 2: reintegrated back into their communities. It's an opportunity for them 140 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:15,520 Speaker 2: when they are able to take care of and be 141 00:07:15,600 --> 00:07:18,000 Speaker 2: part of their families, take care of and be part 142 00:07:18,040 --> 00:07:21,240 Speaker 2: of their communities, work an honest job that pays a 143 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:23,640 Speaker 2: livable wage, and get up in the morning. When they're 144 00:07:23,680 --> 00:07:28,120 Speaker 2: able to see themselves like that, it's truly a remarkable transformation. 145 00:07:28,600 --> 00:07:30,600 Speaker 2: They they really do go back to that moment when 146 00:07:30,600 --> 00:07:32,640 Speaker 2: they raise their hands and they took their oath, and 147 00:07:32,680 --> 00:07:35,720 Speaker 2: they see themselves once again with that same agency, with 148 00:07:35,840 --> 00:07:39,480 Speaker 2: that same ability to drive their own lives and the 149 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:43,000 Speaker 2: direction that they want to go in. And you know, 150 00:07:43,040 --> 00:07:45,320 Speaker 2: and the second part of that is purpose too. Rite 151 00:07:45,560 --> 00:07:48,160 Speaker 2: what does one do when one's mission ends? And I 152 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:51,000 Speaker 2: try and tell every veteran that I meet, your service 153 00:07:51,080 --> 00:07:53,920 Speaker 2: is not over yet, your service to yourself, your service 154 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:56,880 Speaker 2: to your family, your service to your community. And a 155 00:07:56,920 --> 00:07:59,760 Speaker 2: big part of that is is, you know, lowering these 156 00:07:59,840 --> 00:08:02,720 Speaker 2: day distances between all of us, getting out of this isolation, 157 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:06,240 Speaker 2: going out and finding communities of veterans other veterans that 158 00:08:06,280 --> 00:08:09,160 Speaker 2: you can interact with and create bonds and create these friendships, 159 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:13,920 Speaker 2: create stable support networks of people with lived experience that 160 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:16,520 Speaker 2: can rely on each other. We need to do this 161 00:08:16,720 --> 00:08:19,960 Speaker 2: because we are our best allies. And advocates, and if 162 00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:23,200 Speaker 2: anybody is going to stop this scourge of veterans suicide, 163 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:27,040 Speaker 2: it's first and foremost going to be veterans on the 164 00:08:27,040 --> 00:08:27,600 Speaker 2: front line. 165 00:08:27,720 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 1: Absolutely, So let's talk about the people you serve. You 166 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:34,239 Speaker 1: mentioned all six New England states, which is really incredible 167 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:37,160 Speaker 1: because we are a small part of the country but 168 00:08:37,280 --> 00:08:39,520 Speaker 1: still a very big part of the country. At the 169 00:08:39,520 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 1: same time, there's a lot of ground to cover, but 170 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:44,680 Speaker 1: also Montana and North Dakota. So I've got to ask 171 00:08:45,240 --> 00:08:48,760 Speaker 1: why randomly Montana in North Dakota or not so random, 172 00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:49,800 Speaker 1: but why so? 173 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:53,720 Speaker 2: Our chairman and CEO, Lieutenant Colonel Vin Peroni, is a 174 00:08:53,760 --> 00:08:56,280 Speaker 2: former lieutenant colonel and the Air Force, and he was 175 00:08:56,320 --> 00:08:59,480 Speaker 2: stationed out in Montana in North Dakota, and he had 176 00:08:59,520 --> 00:09:01,959 Speaker 2: some oportu tunities to work out there with the local 177 00:09:02,040 --> 00:09:06,240 Speaker 2: veteran communities and with the communities on the Native American reservations, 178 00:09:06,720 --> 00:09:09,480 Speaker 2: and his experience out there just demonstrated that the need 179 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:12,679 Speaker 2: was there all across the country that while the you know, 180 00:09:12,760 --> 00:09:16,360 Speaker 2: while the individual circumstances may be different, the challenges are 181 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:19,079 Speaker 2: still there the exact same kind of challenges that a 182 00:09:19,160 --> 00:09:22,199 Speaker 2: veteran faces in Massachusetts. They face in Montana and North Dakota. 183 00:09:22,640 --> 00:09:24,400 Speaker 2: But I think it's important to highlight that, you know, 184 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:27,760 Speaker 2: veterans I got out in twenty twelve. Veterans don't look 185 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:33,880 Speaker 2: like me, right. Veterans are predominantly younger. Of course, female 186 00:09:33,960 --> 00:09:36,559 Speaker 2: veterans are the fastest growing sub section of veterans in 187 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:38,960 Speaker 2: the United States. And two hundred thousand to three hundred 188 00:09:38,960 --> 00:09:41,800 Speaker 2: thousand veterans are created each and every year. That's what 189 00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:43,720 Speaker 2: some people forget, right, even in a time of peace, 190 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:47,240 Speaker 2: we're creating these veterans every year. But they are demographically 191 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:50,640 Speaker 2: representative of our entire country. What does that mean that 192 00:09:50,679 --> 00:09:54,040 Speaker 2: their personal experiences, their cultural experiences, the way that they 193 00:09:54,120 --> 00:09:55,720 Speaker 2: view the world, the way that they interact with the 194 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:58,960 Speaker 2: world is going to be different based on where they 195 00:09:58,960 --> 00:10:02,320 Speaker 2: grew up, their genders, their national origin, whatever it might be. 196 00:10:02,920 --> 00:10:04,640 Speaker 2: And we need to meet them where they are. We 197 00:10:04,679 --> 00:10:07,560 Speaker 2: need to meet them on the ground with respect, with 198 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:11,439 Speaker 2: cultural appropriateness. We need to really give them the opportunity 199 00:10:11,480 --> 00:10:16,240 Speaker 2: to drive this, to focus this effort to reintegrate them back. 200 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:18,280 Speaker 2: And that was a really poor explanation for that. What 201 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:19,880 Speaker 2: I really wanted to get at is that it's so 202 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:23,559 Speaker 2: very important to meet that veteran, see them as an individual, 203 00:10:23,559 --> 00:10:25,880 Speaker 2: and see them as a human being, and really have 204 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:27,840 Speaker 2: them drive the whole process. 205 00:10:28,160 --> 00:10:30,520 Speaker 1: So then what do you do to make that happen. 206 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:33,880 Speaker 1: Let's talk about how you get into these communities. You've 207 00:10:33,880 --> 00:10:37,319 Speaker 1: got little outposts in all the different states, and as 208 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:39,880 Speaker 1: you mentioned earlier, it's important to be on the ground, 209 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:42,280 Speaker 1: be local because nobody knows you like the people you 210 00:10:42,920 --> 00:10:45,600 Speaker 1: spend time with and grow up around. When a veteran 211 00:10:45,679 --> 00:10:47,880 Speaker 1: comes home. How do you get involved. 212 00:10:48,200 --> 00:10:50,520 Speaker 2: Well, we work very closely with the Executive Office of 213 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:53,560 Speaker 2: Veteran Services here in Massachusetts, and we have partnerships with 214 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:58,720 Speaker 2: state and city and nonprofit organizations throughout New England whereby 215 00:10:58,760 --> 00:11:00,760 Speaker 2: we can identify some of our veterans that are at 216 00:11:00,840 --> 00:11:04,480 Speaker 2: higher risk. We know that they've already intersected with law 217 00:11:04,559 --> 00:11:08,040 Speaker 2: enforcement enforcement, if they're having difficulty finding housing, or they've 218 00:11:08,040 --> 00:11:10,960 Speaker 2: been looking for employment for a long time. So to 219 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:13,720 Speaker 2: those clients, So those potential clients, I say you reach 220 00:11:13,800 --> 00:11:16,520 Speaker 2: out today. One of the biggest issues to overcome with 221 00:11:16,640 --> 00:11:19,080 Speaker 2: veterans is that every veteran that you will meet out there, 222 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:22,719 Speaker 2: when offered health ber assistance, will say no, thank you, 223 00:11:22,760 --> 00:11:24,720 Speaker 2: thank you very much. But there's someone who needs it 224 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:28,720 Speaker 2: more than me. One of the biggest challenges is getting 225 00:11:28,720 --> 00:11:31,440 Speaker 2: the word out to these veterans that they deserve this. 226 00:11:31,559 --> 00:11:34,920 Speaker 2: They've already earned it when they raised their hands, signed up, 227 00:11:35,120 --> 00:11:38,199 Speaker 2: when they went into the military, they earned these benefits, 228 00:11:38,280 --> 00:11:43,199 Speaker 2: and it's critical to reinforce to them that this is theirs. 229 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:45,520 Speaker 2: This is theirs and if they don't use these benefits, 230 00:11:45,559 --> 00:11:47,720 Speaker 2: no and will. But the other kind of client that 231 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:49,480 Speaker 2: I want to get the word out to are those 232 00:11:49,480 --> 00:11:52,080 Speaker 2: that might not be in crisis right now. Maybe they 233 00:11:52,120 --> 00:11:54,280 Speaker 2: have a stable job, maybe they have a place to live, 234 00:11:54,320 --> 00:11:56,560 Speaker 2: they might want a better job, or they might not 235 00:11:56,640 --> 00:11:59,000 Speaker 2: even be aware of the benefits and the bonuses that 236 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:01,480 Speaker 2: have already accrued to them that the federal, state, and 237 00:12:01,520 --> 00:12:04,400 Speaker 2: local governments are just waiting to give them. I encourage 238 00:12:04,440 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 2: those people to get ahead of this, reach out to us, 239 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:11,240 Speaker 2: find out the ways that we can provide benefits you 240 00:12:11,280 --> 00:12:13,559 Speaker 2: might not even realize you and your family are eligible for, 241 00:12:14,360 --> 00:12:15,240 Speaker 2: because we're here for you. 242 00:12:15,600 --> 00:12:17,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, I've got your website up right now, and I'm 243 00:12:17,800 --> 00:12:20,680 Speaker 1: just taking a look at all the different options for 244 00:12:20,800 --> 00:12:23,440 Speaker 1: assistance that you provide. I mean, we are talking everything 245 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:26,640 Speaker 1: from services for women you mentioned female veterans a short 246 00:12:26,679 --> 00:12:30,360 Speaker 1: time ago. Families for veterans, because families, you know, they 247 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:34,880 Speaker 1: go through their own reintegration as well. You've got health 248 00:12:34,880 --> 00:12:38,560 Speaker 1: and wellness support, physical and mental. This is a lot. 249 00:12:38,920 --> 00:12:40,800 Speaker 1: And how have you been able to pull all this 250 00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:43,360 Speaker 1: together over the years, because you've got to lean on 251 00:12:43,400 --> 00:12:46,960 Speaker 1: a lot of different to other community not just nonprofits 252 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:51,360 Speaker 1: but community doctors and nurses and lawyers and advocates. How 253 00:12:51,400 --> 00:12:53,480 Speaker 1: do you get all these resources in one place. 254 00:12:54,360 --> 00:12:57,600 Speaker 2: Well, it's it's the tireless effort of our outreach folks 255 00:12:57,600 --> 00:12:59,680 Speaker 2: that go out every single day into the communities and 256 00:12:59,720 --> 00:13:02,360 Speaker 2: tell people about our programs and what we have available 257 00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:05,360 Speaker 2: and give people the word not only to give to 258 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:09,040 Speaker 2: other veterans, but to educate them about who veterans are 259 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:10,679 Speaker 2: and what kind of people they are, and how wonderful 260 00:13:10,679 --> 00:13:12,400 Speaker 2: they are and how they should hire them and give 261 00:13:12,440 --> 00:13:15,120 Speaker 2: them housing and spend time with them because they are great. 262 00:13:15,440 --> 00:13:19,000 Speaker 2: They have so many wonderful skills of being leadership and 263 00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:23,160 Speaker 2: gold driven and veterans are such great people. And so 264 00:13:23,280 --> 00:13:26,640 Speaker 2: part of it has been educating our lawmakers, our legislators 265 00:13:26,640 --> 00:13:31,120 Speaker 2: into why veterans are disproportionately affected by different types of 266 00:13:31,120 --> 00:13:36,560 Speaker 2: marginalization in different structural barriers to getting services, and then 267 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:39,640 Speaker 2: coming up with creative ways to solve those problems. We've 268 00:13:39,679 --> 00:13:43,400 Speaker 2: been very lucky to have an amazing delegation of legislators 269 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:45,800 Speaker 2: in every state where we exist who are focused on 270 00:13:45,840 --> 00:13:47,680 Speaker 2: the needs of veterans and their families and they support 271 00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:51,480 Speaker 2: us dramatically. But I cannot go without saying that all 272 00:13:51,480 --> 00:13:54,280 Speaker 2: of this is based on community relationships, relationships at the 273 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:59,080 Speaker 2: ground level to understand what's happening, where the resources are needed. 274 00:13:59,240 --> 00:14:01,520 Speaker 2: This isn't something that can be done from a strategic 275 00:14:01,679 --> 00:14:03,280 Speaker 2: level from on high. This has to be on the 276 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:06,720 Speaker 2: ground and tactical. It's the it's the organizations all throughout 277 00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:09,320 Speaker 2: Western County that we deal with, Althrow out Massachusetts, all 278 00:14:09,320 --> 00:14:11,920 Speaker 2: throughout New England. It's a network of people that are 279 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:15,120 Speaker 2: standing by ready to support our veterans, and those are 280 00:14:15,679 --> 00:14:16,640 Speaker 2: people we like working with. It. 281 00:14:16,800 --> 00:14:19,320 Speaker 1: Sure, what are the challenges getting into the more rural 282 00:14:19,360 --> 00:14:22,440 Speaker 1: areas like in Maine, you've got a rusta county, for example, 283 00:14:22,480 --> 00:14:25,240 Speaker 1: the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Green Mountains of Vermont. 284 00:14:25,520 --> 00:14:27,760 Speaker 1: Even here in southern New England, we've got some areas 285 00:14:27,760 --> 00:14:29,640 Speaker 1: that are a little bit more rural that you might 286 00:14:29,640 --> 00:14:32,640 Speaker 1: not be able to have touch points in per se. 287 00:14:32,720 --> 00:14:35,640 Speaker 1: How are you working to make sure you reach veterans 288 00:14:35,680 --> 00:14:36,720 Speaker 1: all around the region. 289 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:40,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, and isolation. I know I've mentioned isolation before, 290 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:44,120 Speaker 2: but you know it affects our veteran population, particularly our 291 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:48,080 Speaker 2: elderly veteran population. So one of the challenges is creating 292 00:14:48,120 --> 00:14:52,880 Speaker 2: opportunities to outreach with telecontacts, creating a network where we 293 00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:57,320 Speaker 2: can allow technology to bridge some of those distance gaps. However, 294 00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:01,120 Speaker 2: technology infrastructure in some hearts of Maine and some parts 295 00:15:01,120 --> 00:15:03,760 Speaker 2: of Vermont and New Hampshire can be challenging. So how 296 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:06,640 Speaker 2: do you get the message out to these veterans? How 297 00:15:06,720 --> 00:15:08,560 Speaker 2: do you work with them? Sometimes we'll have to meet 298 00:15:08,600 --> 00:15:12,640 Speaker 2: them at a local VFW or a local barbershop to 299 00:15:12,680 --> 00:15:14,200 Speaker 2: talk to them, if they don't have a computer, if 300 00:15:14,240 --> 00:15:16,920 Speaker 2: they never used an email before. But it's one of 301 00:15:16,920 --> 00:15:19,560 Speaker 2: the things that we could constantly advocate for with our 302 00:15:19,640 --> 00:15:22,360 Speaker 2: legislators at the state national level is an increase of 303 00:15:22,600 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 2: support for creating that telehealth infrastructure where by veterans and 304 00:15:26,800 --> 00:15:30,800 Speaker 2: their family members can access resources when they're in rural 305 00:15:30,880 --> 00:15:33,840 Speaker 2: or hard to get to areas. The barriers to access 306 00:15:33,840 --> 00:15:37,000 Speaker 2: should not be higher for a veteran getting assistance based 307 00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:38,040 Speaker 2: on what their zip code is. 308 00:15:38,320 --> 00:15:40,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, and I really appreciate that. A few minutes ago 309 00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:43,120 Speaker 1: you mentioned how you want people who may not even 310 00:15:43,160 --> 00:15:46,400 Speaker 1: be in crisis yet to reach out because a veteran, 311 00:15:46,400 --> 00:15:48,120 Speaker 1: I feel, might come home and they've got their family 312 00:15:48,160 --> 00:15:50,200 Speaker 1: and they settle into a job, and they've got money, 313 00:15:50,240 --> 00:15:52,200 Speaker 1: and they think, you know, I don't really need any 314 00:15:52,240 --> 00:15:55,400 Speaker 1: of these services. I'm going to leave them for other veterans. 315 00:15:55,520 --> 00:15:59,960 Speaker 1: But they deserve these services just as much as anybody else. 316 00:16:00,040 --> 00:16:03,600 Speaker 1: I mean, I'm grateful that they have that support, but veterans, 317 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:07,400 Speaker 1: every veteran deserves all this support, and you know, the 318 00:16:07,480 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 1: things like we'll talk about this in a moment, the 319 00:16:09,120 --> 00:16:12,240 Speaker 1: holiday harvest. Every veteran deserves at the very least a 320 00:16:12,320 --> 00:16:14,960 Speaker 1: Thanksgiving dinner for what they've done, you know, and I 321 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:17,400 Speaker 1: really appreciate that you all focus on that as well. 322 00:16:17,480 --> 00:16:20,000 Speaker 2: Let me just give an example. You know, the relationship 323 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 2: between video games and veterans is well known. Veterans love 324 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:26,120 Speaker 2: video games. We're so pleased to partner with the Call 325 00:16:26,160 --> 00:16:28,520 Speaker 2: of Duty Endowment. Call of Duty, the video game maker. 326 00:16:28,560 --> 00:16:32,160 Speaker 2: Call of Duty has a wonderful program. And we have 327 00:16:32,200 --> 00:16:34,760 Speaker 2: an employment program that will get you the job today. 328 00:16:34,840 --> 00:16:36,320 Speaker 2: If you need a job, if you need a job, 329 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:39,280 Speaker 2: it'll get to you today. CODE is a program focused 330 00:16:39,320 --> 00:16:41,520 Speaker 2: on post nine to eleven veterans. And these are the 331 00:16:41,520 --> 00:16:43,440 Speaker 2: folks I'm talking about. It might not be in crisis, 332 00:16:43,760 --> 00:16:46,960 Speaker 2: but boy, come in and CODE will focus on you. 333 00:16:47,080 --> 00:16:49,800 Speaker 2: It'll focus on your skill set. What are your dreams. 334 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:51,960 Speaker 2: You may have a job today, but what is the 335 00:16:52,040 --> 00:16:54,240 Speaker 2: career that you want to be in tomorrow. What kind 336 00:16:54,280 --> 00:16:56,920 Speaker 2: of training do you need to get there? Upskilling? What 337 00:16:57,400 --> 00:16:59,080 Speaker 2: is it that will get you this job? And how 338 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:00,680 Speaker 2: can we get you in touch with the people who 339 00:17:00,720 --> 00:17:02,640 Speaker 2: can give it to you. And those are the kind 340 00:17:02,680 --> 00:17:07,320 Speaker 2: of career reinforcement, career building, workforce development things that I 341 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:09,959 Speaker 2: encourage veterans to take part in because they have the 342 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:12,439 Speaker 2: soft skills and they have the hard skills to do 343 00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:13,320 Speaker 2: all of these jobs. 344 00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:16,119 Speaker 1: Yeah for sure. All right, let's then talk about the 345 00:17:16,160 --> 00:17:19,040 Speaker 1: holiday harvest. This is coming up here pretty soon here 346 00:17:19,080 --> 00:17:19,879 Speaker 1: in a couple of weeks. 347 00:17:20,200 --> 00:17:21,000 Speaker 2: My favorite event. 348 00:17:21,200 --> 00:17:23,879 Speaker 1: Oh well, and Thanksgiving dinner? How could it not be? 349 00:17:24,720 --> 00:17:26,360 Speaker 1: Tell me all about it? Yeah? 350 00:17:26,440 --> 00:17:29,280 Speaker 2: Sure, So you know, the basic idea is is that 351 00:17:29,480 --> 00:17:32,040 Speaker 2: you know, no veteran or their family members should go 352 00:17:32,119 --> 00:17:35,639 Speaker 2: hungry on Thanksgiving or any part of the year, of course, 353 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:37,760 Speaker 2: but this is an opportunity for us to get together 354 00:17:37,800 --> 00:17:40,960 Speaker 2: as an organization and bring all of our community partners 355 00:17:40,960 --> 00:17:46,360 Speaker 2: in to provide Thanksgiving dinners, a fresh Thanksgiving dinner to families, 356 00:17:46,440 --> 00:17:48,880 Speaker 2: veteran families in need. How do we do that, Well, 357 00:17:48,880 --> 00:17:52,120 Speaker 2: we partner with local organizations to provide more than eight 358 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:55,000 Speaker 2: hundred and fifty turkeys and all of the fixings to 359 00:17:55,080 --> 00:17:57,679 Speaker 2: veterans in their families. So that means fresh vegetables, it 360 00:17:57,760 --> 00:17:59,600 Speaker 2: means you know, you get your your mash, well, you 361 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:01,280 Speaker 2: get to take you can turn them in mash paters, 362 00:18:01,359 --> 00:18:03,960 Speaker 2: gravy stuff in cranberry sauce, you get the whole nine 363 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:07,880 Speaker 2: yards and even a pie from Tabletalk pie of your choice, 364 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:11,840 Speaker 2: and we take our We're in this beautiful National Guard Armory. 365 00:18:11,880 --> 00:18:15,320 Speaker 2: It's a historic building downtown in Worcester, mass and we 366 00:18:15,400 --> 00:18:18,639 Speaker 2: convert the enormous drill hall inside into this farmer's market, 367 00:18:18,720 --> 00:18:20,880 Speaker 2: so each station is set up like a little farmer's 368 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:23,280 Speaker 2: stand and the veteran and their family can go around 369 00:18:23,280 --> 00:18:27,000 Speaker 2: and actually shop for their own Thanksgiving meal, right that's 370 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:31,240 Speaker 2: what we're talking about. Dignity, dignity and providing services, creating 371 00:18:31,280 --> 00:18:34,760 Speaker 2: that experience, that wonderful family experience for the veteran to have. 372 00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:37,800 Speaker 2: It's such a wonderful day and you know, if there 373 00:18:37,800 --> 00:18:39,720 Speaker 2: are people out there that would like to be involved 374 00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:41,520 Speaker 2: in it, I encourage you to check it out on 375 00:18:41,560 --> 00:18:44,399 Speaker 2: our website. There's also an opportunity to donate. There's a 376 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:46,520 Speaker 2: turkey button. With a click of a button, you can 377 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:49,080 Speaker 2: donate a turkey to a veteran or and their family 378 00:18:49,160 --> 00:18:52,800 Speaker 2: this year. Find out how you can become involved in volunteer. 379 00:18:52,920 --> 00:18:55,720 Speaker 2: We have so many events on our home page. Following 380 00:18:55,720 --> 00:18:58,880 Speaker 2: Holiday Harvest this year, in partnership with Ocean State Job Lot, 381 00:18:59,280 --> 00:19:02,560 Speaker 2: a wonderful organization will be giving out over six thousand 382 00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:07,120 Speaker 2: warm winter coats and five thousand children's toys to veterans families. 383 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:09,560 Speaker 2: And boy, it just this season doesn't get any better 384 00:19:09,560 --> 00:19:11,760 Speaker 2: for me. I get to give out turkey's toys and 385 00:19:11,800 --> 00:19:14,240 Speaker 2: warm winter coats to veterans in their families. 386 00:19:14,240 --> 00:19:17,200 Speaker 1: We love that. Can't beat that, honestly, really kid, really 387 00:19:17,280 --> 00:19:20,840 Speaker 1: kid phenomenal. So yeah, let's talk about money, because a 388 00:19:21,119 --> 00:19:24,000 Speaker 1: food is expensive right now, like more expensive than it's 389 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:27,480 Speaker 1: spending quite some time. You're putting together Thanksgiving dinners for 390 00:19:27,560 --> 00:19:31,400 Speaker 1: eight hundred and fifty veterans families. How can people besides 391 00:19:31,440 --> 00:19:35,000 Speaker 1: bringing a bird for this effort, and between that and 392 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:37,919 Speaker 1: the coats and the toys, what can people do to 393 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:38,960 Speaker 1: help your efforts here? 394 00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:41,520 Speaker 2: Well? So I encourage you to go on to our 395 00:19:41,560 --> 00:19:43,719 Speaker 2: web page. We'll always have a list of things that 396 00:19:43,760 --> 00:19:48,360 Speaker 2: we're looking for on there, whether it's seasonal, seasonal hygiene 397 00:19:48,359 --> 00:19:51,959 Speaker 2: products and clothing for veterans in their families. Could be 398 00:19:52,119 --> 00:19:54,240 Speaker 2: warm winter coats in the winter, could be summer clothing 399 00:19:54,280 --> 00:19:56,520 Speaker 2: in the summer. Different things we need at different times 400 00:19:56,520 --> 00:19:57,920 Speaker 2: a year. But I encourage you to go on there 401 00:19:57,920 --> 00:20:00,320 Speaker 2: and check it out. There's always going to be a thing, 402 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:01,919 Speaker 2: a list of things that we would love to have 403 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:05,440 Speaker 2: donated that would help our veterans and families so very much. 404 00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:07,800 Speaker 2: And we really do rely on members of the community 405 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:11,120 Speaker 2: to take part and take an opportunity to give back to. 406 00:20:11,040 --> 00:20:14,879 Speaker 1: The veterans rya Veteransinc Dot org. If somebody happens to 407 00:20:14,920 --> 00:20:18,640 Speaker 1: be listening and they are hearing this and thinking I 408 00:20:18,720 --> 00:20:21,560 Speaker 1: really could use this assistance, I am at a point 409 00:20:21,560 --> 00:20:24,159 Speaker 1: where I need help. How can they reach out to 410 00:20:24,160 --> 00:20:27,080 Speaker 1: you besides social media? Is is email better? Is a 411 00:20:27,119 --> 00:20:29,600 Speaker 1: website better? A phone number? How should they go about that? 412 00:20:29,920 --> 00:20:32,239 Speaker 2: Anybody in the country can reach out to one eight 413 00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:36,000 Speaker 2: hundred four eight two two five six five, And I 414 00:20:36,040 --> 00:20:38,560 Speaker 2: mean anybody, doesn't matter if you're in New England, Montana, 415 00:20:38,640 --> 00:20:40,920 Speaker 2: or North Dakota. If you're a veteran and you're facing 416 00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:44,000 Speaker 2: a challenging issue, give us a call. If we're not 417 00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:46,440 Speaker 2: in your backyard, we will give you a warm handoff 418 00:20:46,480 --> 00:20:48,440 Speaker 2: to somebody where you are that can help you out. 419 00:20:48,480 --> 00:20:51,240 Speaker 2: So I really encourage one eight hundred four eight two 420 00:20:51,320 --> 00:20:54,720 Speaker 2: two five sixty five. Go to our web page www 421 00:20:54,760 --> 00:20:58,160 Speaker 2: dot Veteransinc dot org. Find out how you can help out. 422 00:20:58,200 --> 00:20:59,880 Speaker 2: Find out how you can get help, find out how 423 00:20:59,880 --> 00:21:02,520 Speaker 2: you come down and volunteer. Be part of the change, 424 00:21:02,600 --> 00:21:04,199 Speaker 2: be part of reintegrating veterans. 425 00:21:04,440 --> 00:21:06,920 Speaker 1: Love that all right? Well, Ray from Veterans Inc. Thank 426 00:21:06,960 --> 00:21:09,359 Speaker 1: you so much for what you're doing. We appreciate it. 427 00:21:09,640 --> 00:21:11,280 Speaker 2: Thanks so much. I appreciate your time. 428 00:21:13,280 --> 00:21:15,680 Speaker 1: Have a safe and healthy weekend. Please join me again 429 00:21:15,720 --> 00:21:18,359 Speaker 1: next week for another edition of the show. I'm Nicole 430 00:21:18,440 --> 00:21:21,560 Speaker 1: Davis from WBZ News Radio on iHeartRadio.