Vets and Families Invited to Dutchess County Veteran Town Hall
Jan. 24th event in Poughkeepsie will connect America’s heroes with support services, resources

POUGHKEEPSIE ... The Dutchess County Office of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Mental Health America (MHA) of Dutchess County invite veterans and their families to a Dutchess County Veteran Town Hall on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at American Legion Post 1302, 55 Overlook Road in Poughkeepsie. This free event will connect local veterans with local service providers for an open, informative discussion focused on the programs, services and supports available to local veterans, their loved ones and caregivers.

Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, “Our veterans have taken care of us and we in Dutchess County will always take care of them. That’s why we continue to expand our outreach and are co-hosting the Dutchess County Veteran Town Hall, to meet veterans where they are so they know they are heard and never alone. We want to hear directly from our veterans about their needs, concerns and experiences and help connect them to the resources they deserve.”

Attendees at the Dutchess County Veteran Town Hall will have the opportunity to:

• Familiarize themselves with the Dutchess County Office of Veterans Affairs, meet its director, Adam Roche, and the learn about work he and his staff perform daily to advocate for local veterans;
• Hear from local VHA leadership about benefits, enrollment and services, along with other important updates about how they are putting veterans at the center of everything they do;
• Connect with fellow veterans offering shared lived experience support through MHA’s Vet2Vet peer support program;
• Ask questions directly of veterans service providers and leaders; and
• Access guidance on navigating benefits, claims and local resources.

Staff from the Office of Veterans Affairs will be on hand to explain the full range of services Dutchess County offers, including benefits counseling, claims assistance, transportation support, outreach initiatives and referrals to community partners.

This town hall is part of Dutchess County Office of Veterans Affairs’ continued effort to expand outreach to veterans. Dutchess County Veterans Affairs also recently added a “mobile” Veterans Service Officer (VSO), who is available in the community during evening hours to help veterans and their families receive in-person assistance with understanding and applying for the benefits they’ve earned. The VSO has scheduled outreach at the Marine Corps League Post 861, 413 Main Street in Beacon, on Jan. 15 and at VFW Post 7765, 30 Elizabeth Street in Red Hook, on Feb. 9; both outreach sessions are scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m., and more are being scheduled throughout Dutchess County in the coming weeks and months. Upcoming VSO outreach sessions will be listed on the Veterans Affairs calendar of events: https://www.dutchessny.gov/Calendar-Page.htm?myselectedDeptid=213.

The Dutchess County Office of Veterans Affairs helps veterans and their families understand, apply for and receive the benefits they’ve earned through their service. For more information about the Dutchess County Veteran Town Hall or County Veterans Affairs’ services, residents can call the office at (845) 486-2060.