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03/09/2022 08:45 AMThe E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, in conjunction with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), is hosting three events this spring focused on veterans’ issues. These forums, beginning Tuesday, March 22, will focus on specific topics unique to area veterans and offer tangible solutions to issues our vets encounter.
Library Director Sunnie Scarpa said the grant provided by IMLS will provide a much-needed platform for area veterans to establish contacts and develop strategies for a host of issues service members currently face.
“We’re thrilled to receive this funding so we can reach out to the veterans in our area. We hope the information provided through this programming series will help connect those veterans with services and resources to support their future life goals,” Scarpa said. “It’s a small way we can thank them for their service and we’re really grateful for the opportunity.”
Scranton Adult Services Librarian Rachel Taylor said the three forums will be addressing a variety of matters that many veterans face and hopefully enable area vets to establish contacts and feedback for the issues that in many cases are unique to those who have served.
The initial forum on March 22 will focus on connecting area vets, according to Taylor.
“The first two events will be hybrid and be available in-person or remotely,” said Taylor.
On March 22 at 6:30 p.m., Veterans Connect at Scranton will feature four panelists: Frederick Ruhlemann of the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse, who will discuss social connections; Jeannie Gardiner of Department of Veteran Affairs, who will discuss veteran health benefits; Jacqueline Fonseca-Ramos of VA CT HealthCare System, talking about veteran health resources; and former service member Marcus Sledge, who will discuss using the G.I. Bill to pay for college education.
The second forum on Tuesday, April 12 is Financial Literacy for Veterans, which will cover a wide spectrum of financial issues veterans may encounter and how best to navigate the specific problems that veterans encounter in managing finances, said Taylor.
“This will be specifically about to how to manage your money as a veteran and how to take advantage of financial programs focused on veterans,” according to Taylor. “We really want to ensure that veterans can enjoy the best possible quality of life without spending too much of their own assets. We are bringing these resources to them rather than the other way around.”
The featured speaker is Heath Carelock, a professional financial counselor and program director at Prince George Community College who will discuss budgeting, credit, benefits, and more for veterans.
The last event at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 7 will be an in-person only event hosted outdoors at the library. This event will introduce vets to service animals and allow them to interact with service dogs. It will also provide information on how these types of animals can benefit vets and how veterans can begin the process to see if a service dog fits their needs, according to Taylor.
“We’ll be collaborating with Forever in My Heart Foundation located in Middletown and they train service dogs for veterans with a broad service of needs,” said Taylor. “The focus on a number of specialties unique to vets. The organization has been doing this for years so we are excited they will be collaborating with us.”
Taylor said it is an integral part of Scranton’s mission to provide programming such as this to Madison and the shoreline. The veterans’ programs are especially important in that they can make a direct impact on the lives of vets, according to Taylor.
“We really wanted to help out the veteran community in the greater New Haven and shoreline area by offering these resources and workshops because it’s not something you see much of around here. We really felt it was a need that was going unfulfilled,” said Taylor. “We feel strongly that we want to bring the best possible education and the best resources available. We’re very excited to be doing this and we hope to reach a very wide audience of veterans and hopefully we’ll be able to do that with this programming.”
Taylor also said the library has erected stations at the Scranton with paper, pens, and other materials so that children and adults alike can write letters of support and gratitude and thank-you cards to returned vets. These will be mailed to vets as part of the program’s objective to increase their wellbeing and mental and emotional health, as well as to acknowledge their incredible sacrifices and hard work, Taylor said.