Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans

Social Centers on Community College Campuses

·        A summit was held on the campus of Central CT State University on October 12, 2007 hosted by Governor M. Jodi Rell and Commissioner Linda Schwartz.

·        The goal was to listen to this generation of new veterans and discover what their needs were in order to facilitate their transition back into civilian life.

·        The total number of veterans in Connecticut is 275,000 of which 14,600 are women.

·        There were many comments about a variety of issues affecting veterans.

·        From that came a recommendation for forming veterans’ centers or “Vets OASIS” on college campuses throughout the State, where returning veterans could meet and discuss among themselves the issues they are struggling with.

·        The Chancellors at all the State Colleges, including the Community Colleges, have agreed to make space available on their campuses, where veterans both students and non-students could gather to form their “oasis”.  The need for this type of meeting place is immediate as a way to help these veterans transition back into the civilian culture.

·        The premise for this proposal is to show the support of the Connecticut State Government and the people of the State.

·        These centers or “oasis” would allow veterans to get what they earned without a lot of delay and paperwork.  From this simple beginning a long-term goal would be the design and development of a virtual One-Stop Center with available benefits posted for all returning vets.

·        Presently all college campuses have a veterans officer whose main purpose is to handle paperwork.  These new centers would be manned day and night by student workers who are veterans and would be a place were veterans would learn of the services available to them.

·        Several goals of setting up these centers include making non-students feel welcome on campus so that in turn they will more than likely become students in the future.  They would offer a safe environment for veterans to meet and socialize.  Another would be having Mentors available to help veterans transition into the workplace.

What would be GFWC/CT’s involvement in this process be:

·        Helping monetarily with the set-up of these centers – i.e. furnishings, computers, etc.

·        Serving as Mentors at each campus – which should be easy as the campuses are located throughout the state near where our members reside.  Although these centers would be available to both men and women veterans and their families as a women’s organization we could direct our mentoring toward women veterans.

Commissioner Schwartz or representatives from the Veterans Affairs Department would be available to GFWC/CT and clubs as potential speakers.

Commissioner Schwartz or her representative would make a presentation at the May convention.

 Please feel free to contact the following members of the club for additional information:

          Gloria Hutchinson           GDePH@aol.com           203-743-9394

          Kathy Aiello           KAAIrish@aol.com         203-792-0421

Wish List

Computers Printers/copiers

TV's

Easy Chairs

Coffee Tables

End Tables

Lamps

Microwaves

Small Refrigerators

Coffee Makers

Brochure Racks

Military Themed Books and Magazines

Small Office Supplies (pens, paper, etc)