Vet Center to help local veterans to be dedicated tomorrow

Posted: Nov 2, 2012 4:24 PM by Jeanette Trompeter

The San Luis Obispo Vet Center will hold a dedication of their building on Nov. 3, at 2:00 p.m. at the SLO Vet Center to honor central coast Veterans and families.

"We care," said Mr. Steven Reeves, Pacific Western Regional Manager for the Vet Center Program. "We are here within this community to support each and every combat Veteran, including their families and significant others who walk through the doors of the San Luis Obispo Vet Center. If you are a combat Veteran, allow us an opportunity to meet you, discuss your service, answer your questions, but most importantly, to welcome you home. Whatever your war-era experience, just ‘Walk on In.'"

Vet Center services are earned through military service in a combat zone or area of hostility and are provided at no cost to Veterans or their families. They are staffed by small multidisciplinary teams, which may include social workers, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, master's-level counselors and outreach specialists. More than 70 percent of Vet Center employees are Veterans themselves, a majority of who served in combat zones.

SLO County is one of several communities nationwide receiving a VA Vet Center following Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric K. Shinseki's announcement on Aug. 14, 2009 that combat Veterans will receive readjustment counseling and other assistance in 28 communities across the country, where the Department of Veterans Affairs will establish additional community-based Vet Centers.

Vet Centers also conduct community outreach offering counseling on employment, family issues and education to combat Veterans and family members. Staff also offers bereavement counseling for families of service members killed on active duty and counseling for Veterans with military sexual trauma.

SLO Vet Center is at 1070 Southwood Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Veterans and families may also call 805-210-6634 to make an appointment. Staff is also available to offer evening and weekend services on appointment for the convenience of Veterans.

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