Have you seen this ‘One-stop shop’ to open for wounded veterans?

2015-09-23T15:48:06-04:00

Have you seen this ‘One-stop shop’ to open for wounded veterans?

Check out this video - Urbana, IL moving forward for veterans!

https://youtu.be/hUMn4aKvUpw

http://www.dailyillini.com/article/2015/09/one-stop-shop-to-open-for-wounded-veterans

Veteran and student Garrett Anderson is excited for veterans on campus to have a “one-stop shop” to to find resources, guidance, counseling and more on campus.

The Center for Wounded Veterans in Higher Education is hosting an open house for veterans on campus Thursday.

“In the military you’re very structured. So when you throw these guys into college, they don’t have a set schedule so it’s hard for them to conceptualize how to set their own study routines,” said Anderson, a veteran and a graduate student in AHS. “So what we are going to do here is teach them those skills.”

The new facility will serve the approximated 350 veterans on campus as well as 150 dependents.

“We’ll be introduced to the center and be able to use it (Thursday),” said Jennifer Warning, a veteran and junior in LAS. “We’ll be more informed after the open house.”

The center offers transition and academic services, counseling, employment services and other programs aimed at helping veterans succeed in college and in the workforce.

“Our goal is to help student veterans with a disability to stay enrolled, perform academically well and to graduate and go into meaningful work,” said Nicholas Osborne, interim director for the center.

A New Home for Wounded Veterans

The new Center for Wounded Veterans is the largest and most comprehensive of its kind in the country. Students are offered specialized programs, counseling a...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2015 3:49 PM

2015-09-23T15:49:27-04:00

This is awesome! Thanks for posting it COL Mikel J. Burroughs

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 23 at 2015 3:49 PM

2015-09-23T15:49:48-04:00

No i have not

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Sep 23 at 2015 3:59 PM

2015-09-23T15:59:40-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs thanks. I really enjoy reading postive articles about Wounded Warriors.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 23 at 2015 4:01 PM

2015-09-23T16:01:56-04:00

No I had not seen this home for wounded veterans COL Mikel J. Burroughs. I am aware of several homes the USMC and the US Army built and staffed to help wounded veterans recover with their families and Samaritan's Purse has a place in Alaska where wounded military/veterans go with their spouse to help restore their marriages.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2015 4:08 PM

2015-09-23T16:08:59-04:00

This is totally awesome! We need this all around the country and to stop letting illegals and refugees to take from veterans who are in need.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2015 4:16 PM

2015-09-23T16:16:17-04:00

You always bring forth great items of interest, thanks!

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Sep 23 at 2015 4:45 PM

2015-09-23T16:45:23-04:00

Good read maybe some how we could get more going?

Response by SPC Nick Lai made Sep 23 at 2015 5:06 PM

2015-09-23T17:06:46-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs if this workout they should consider more of this type of One Stop Shop through out the country. Veterans can go handout and talk to other Veteran, this might help out veterans that have PTSD, I also think this could be better than VFW and American Legions.

Response by SN Alex Tufail made Sep 23 at 2015 6:22 PM

2015-09-23T18:22:45-04:00

I like to concept, but I think it needs to go nation wide. There are too many companies and the field of Veteran resources is developing into a more competitive market where it really needs to be about the Veterans, and not about the corporations ( for profit or not) hitting quotas. the reason I am bringing this point up is because companies like the WWP have a lot of funding, but are focused on Veterans that have physical issues, and receive funding because their Vets have wounds that can be seen. What about the guys who have invisible scars? A Vet about to self inflict a bullet wound is, in my mind, just as important as someone who lost a leg or arm in Iraq or Afghanistan.

When a Veteran losses themselves and become unable to sustain a life; that's a huge issue. Not all Veterans can students even if they have earned the benefits. The guidance definitely helps, but how about implementing programs that are not "scholastic education" based and just education based? Tracks to help Vets who want to become Outdoor Professionals where no formal education can really help, but is mainly experiential based? What about programs for the Vet's that can barely walk out of there house because they have experienced years of Trauma and no long feel like they belong in society?

The programs that currently exist are great, and they help out a lot of people, but they don't help EVERY VET. I understand that developing specialized centers is a huge task and requires ample financial backing, but what if we started small? Getting Veterans who want to be outside, outside. Helping guys who can't quite put their finger on what their life needs, but they know it needs some team work, and not team work with 19-22 year old's who can not even fathom the lives we have lived. Getting guys to work as a team with other members of the Armed Forces who know what Honor, Courage, Commitment, Integrity mean. Individuals who can make a difference because they are motivated, they are ready to go to work, but for the right reason.

What if we built centers that gave Veterans who feel they no longer have purpose the chance to find purpose through experience, and training. I am all for Degrees and formal education, but it's not for everyone. There is also the fact that not every Resource Center knows exactly 100% what resources are available. Companies across the country that are willing to take Veterans on Multi-day Backpacking Trips, Climbing Expeditions, Survival Outings and courses. There are companies that will teach Veterans how to become Industry Professionals. However, These companies never get their name out because they don't have the skills to connect with organizations to get these guys outside. It seems that the companies with the largest marketing budget are able to get their name out, but the companies that truly want to make a difference regardless of the profits struggle to find the Vets, and the Vets struggle to find their outlet.

There doesn't seem to be much focus on homeless Veterans. A lot of the Homeless Veterans I have met were OTH or DISHON discharges, but what about the Veterans that are just too messed up to help themselves? What about the Veterans who are so helpless that life is meaningless? There must be a program developed to turn a burden into a productive member of society by helping the helpless become helpful.

Change is happening, but I don't think it's always happening for the right reasons, or for the right people.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2015 10:48 AM

2015-09-24T10:48:09-04:00

This is great news and looks like a super project. Thanks for sharing COL Mikel J. Burroughs

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Sep 24 at 2015 10:58 AM

2015-09-24T10:58:15-04:00

Great stuff...

Response by GySgt Bill Smith made Sep 21 at 2016 5:36 PM

2016-09-21T17:36:00-04:00

I work on campus as the Veteran Student Support Services Coordinator at UIUC and the Center is a great model for other campuses to follow. If anyone has any questions or interest please contact me.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2016 8:30 PM

2016-10-14T20:30:01-04:00

Fantastic. I am going to bookmark this page. Lord knows we all need someone at some time. Good deal. COL Mikel J. Burroughs. Sorry abt your dad...

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Dec 20 at 2017 12:29 AM

2017-12-20T00:29:26-05:00

That's great they need more of them around the country.

Peace!