Lyndon State College will be hosting the Northeast Kingdom Veterans Summit on March 15, 2014. Registration is now open. The purpose of the summit is to bring veterans, their families, and veteran service organizations together to build relationships, stronger connections, and an enhanced regional support network in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and Northern New Hampshire. Some of the Summit highlights are listed below. Many more additions will be added in the coming weeks including an excellent array of speakers. Breakout Sessions will address the following topics:
PTSD and TBI
Therapy Dogs and PTSD
Women Veterans
Veterans Employment Benefits and Opportunities
Government Consulting and Entrepreneurship
Navigating Veterans Benefits
Education Benefits 101 for Student Veterans
Student Veterans Panel
Highlights
The Stand Down: The Department of Veterans Affairs will be hosting a one-day Stand Down in conjunction with the NEK Veterans Summit. Stand Downs are one part of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ efforts to provide services to homeless veterans. Stand Downs are typically one to three day events providing services to homeless Veterans such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings, VA and Social Security benefits counseling, and referrals to a variety of other necessary services, such as housing, employment and substance abuse treatment. Stand Downs are collaborative events, coordinated between local VAs, other government agencies, and community agencies who serve the homeless. The first Stand Down was organized in 1988 by a group of Vietnam Veterans in San Diego. Since then, Stand Downs have been used as an effective tool in reaching out to homeless veterans, reaching more than 200,000 veterans and their family members between 1994-2000.
The Mobile Vet Center: Available throughout the Summit, the Mobile Vet Center is a 30 foot long bus and is operated by the White River Junction Vet Center. It provides readjustment counseling and information resources to combat veterans. Like community-based veteran centers, Mobile Vet Centers focus on services that help combat veterans make the transition between military and civilian life.
Exhibitor Booths: Over 40 Veteran Service Organizations will have information booths providing a one-stop-shop for veteran services, clubs, and resources.
To keep this event free to veterans and their families, organizers are looking for sponsorships. Learn more how your organization can provide support here.
To register: https://events.lyndonstate.edu/Register/NEKVeteransSummit To reserve booth space: https://events.lyndonstate.edu/Register/NEKVeteransSummitExhibitors Please visit the NEK Veterans Summit Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/400210426791973/
For more information, contact Thom Anderson at 802-751-9815 or at thomas.anderson@lyndonstate.edu.