Eastern Oklahoma VA Hosts Fair to Connect Veterans and Families with Resources
Veterans traveled from all over eastern Oklahoma on May 25 to attend the latest Veteran Resource Fair hosted by the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System (EOVAHCS) in collaboration with community partners.
Upon arrival Veterans, caregivers, families, and members of the community were greeted with warm smiles and the opportunity to learn about different programs, services, and resources available to them at the health care system and many other community organizations as well.
Daphne Hillhouse and Andrea Jones, suicide prevention coordinators for EOVAHCS, were excited to see such a great turn out in their new location. They facilitate the event each year in collaboration with the Caregiver Support team and other VA services.
“This is the first time we have held the resource fair at this location, and it has gone really well!” said Hillhouse. “Being in a more exposed location allows those who may have missed the announcement to see the event and stop in and learn about valuable resources available to them!”
Many health care system representatives from a variety of programs and departments were available to Veterans during the fair including, but not limited to: Suicide Prevention, Caregiver Support Services, Human Resources, Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program, Telehealth, Whole Health, Volunteer Services, Community Residential Care, Outpatient Palliative Care, Eligibility & Enrollment, Post 9/11 services, various Social Work programs and more!
The first 100 Veterans to arrive at the event were also treated to a free burger from JJ’s Burgers and Dawgs food truck, sponsored by TCCU Federal Credit Union. Many Veterans commented on about how much they enjoyed the treat. Air Force Veteran Howard Hill was enjoying his burger while talking to the Human Resources team.
“All of the people here have been so friendly and helpful,” said Hill. He also added, “and the burger tasted good!”
Rose Hodges attended the fair with her husband Steve, who is an Army Veteran. The couple traveled many miles to attend the event for a special reason. Hodges recently participated in the Virtual Caregiver Support Class and found such value in it that she wanted to meet the team that facilitated the class.
“We drove 50 miles to meet the girls with Caregiver Support,” said Hodges. “The virtual group I did with them was so helpful and convenient for me with our hectic schedule. During the class I learned that I wasn’t alone and there were others out there like me who are going through some of the same experiences we are. It’s so nice to have additional support and I wanted to talk to them in person.”
To learn more about the Caregiver Support Program and other services offered at the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System, please visit https://www.va.gov/eastern-oklahoma-health-care or call 1-888-397-8387.