Three Oaks Opens Vet Resource Center
Patti Brady, on the board of Three Oaks Center, is credited as the driving force behind the opening of a Veterans Resource Center in Lexington Park, MD.
Fifteen months ago it was a dream. June 14, 2016, the doors will open at 11 am to the Three Oaks Multi-Purpose Building, housing the new Veterans Resource Center in Lexington Park, MD. A ribbon cutting ceremony is slated for 11:30 to be followed by a Mission BBQ hosted lunch at the new facility.
Located next door to the anchor facility of Three Oaks Center at 46907 Lei Drive, the new Three Oaks Building is designed to meet a “multitude of purposes,” says Patti Brady, a board member of Three Oaks Center. TOC, along with their partners, MEDSTAR and WARM, will be providing respite care for the Homeless. Additionally, this new building will house the Veterans Resource Center. Ms. Brady and Mr. Rice, according to Sasha M. Seenath, Three Oaks Program Coordinator for Veteran Services, has been major driving forces behind the vision, the materialization of the building, and the planning for its multiple purposes.
Ms. Brady shrugs this off a few weeks before the opening during an advance tour of the nearly completed center. “There were people who really wanted to do this. That’s why we did this in 15 months. You need that commitment.”
Scores of volunteers and organizations have coalesced to build the center. The two women say these efforts will assure every veteran in Southern Maryland can walk through these doors and in one place receive the information and assistance needed to overcome whatever obstacles they face.
“We want them to walk in the door and leave with help and direction,” said Ms. Brady. “We’re trying to say, ‘Don’t give up. Come in here and we will help you.’”
Whether employment related, health related, if there are legal questions or options, assistance with Veterans Affairs … the list goes on and on as the women describe the agencies, volunteers, and staff lined-up to provide guidance and immediate assistance in a huge array of areas.
“As a resource center we don’t know every request,” Ms. Brady said, “but we know we can help.”
Some services include: resume writing, applying for jobs on-line, specifically working with veterans to align skill-sets with opportunities on USAJobs, training, interview techniques, on-line certifications, and courses in Microsoft Products.
The center will offer an array of support services. Agencies including Legal Aid, Veterans Affairs, Disabled American Veterans, and the Maryland Department of Labor and Licensing will be represented at the center for direct interaction with veterans and their families. Additionally, PTS support groups/counseling will be available and the center will host multiple and varied support groups.
“We can provide information to our veterans and their families about education benefits, health care, compensation and pensions, and vocational rehab. We will have veteran volunteers at the center to mentor and share peer to peer camaraderie,” explained Ms. Brady.
Lunch hour discussions will be offered daily. The St. Mary’s County Public Library sought and received funding to support a book club.
As a single example, a lawyer, experienced in a number of the issues that face today’s veteran, will be at the center the third Thursday of the month. He will be able to help vets deal with their benefits, upgrading discharges, medical issues, and other concerns “with understanding,” Ms. Brady said, that comes from long experience in these particular areas.
In keeping with its broad and inclusive mission, the VRC is designed to provide services to veterans and their families, emphasizes Ms. Seenath, adding, “and even civilians.” The focus of the resource center is veterans, that includes active, reserve, and National Guard, and their families, but does not exclude anyone from the services offered.
To learn more about the Three Oaks Veterans Support Center contact Sasha M. Seenath Program Coordinator – Veteran Services: [email protected]
To learn more about Three Oaks Center visit their Leader Member Page.
