We’re being required to move to make way for a new parking deck, as Allentown responds to the revitalization of city center. Not a bad thing all told though we liked our old digs at 39 S. Sixth St. for Read more…
For the first time, the Pennsylvania Veterans Foundation (PVF) “… is seeking to assist approximately ten Pennsylvania nonprofit organizations that help military veteran with grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. Specifically, the PVF is asking County Directors of Veterans Affairs and other community leaders to identify noteworthy organizations that are doing tremendous work yet need some extra resources to expand their effectiveness and reach,” states Mike Gould, the foundation’s Chairman of the Board. (more…)
Congress has mandated the Department of Defense to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Vietnam War during the years 2015 to 2017 (Public Law 110-181 SEC.598). It is seeking organizations to formally partner and “… commit to conduct at least two events each year during the commemorative period of 2015 – 2017 that will recognize, thank and honor our Vietnam Veterans and their families.” But there is a less official way to commemorate which is of equal value and a local township is about to prove this. (more…)
Persistence pays. VALOR Clinic Foundation, a member of the Lehigh Valley Homeless Veterans Action Committee (an LVMAC alliance) is conducting another one of its mini-stand downs in the Lehigh Valley. This time it will be on 16 August at Sand Island in the City of Bethlehem. It is its second attempt to reach out to the homeless in the Bethlehem area and its fifth stand down in the Lehigh Valley this year — the three other ones were conducted in the Allentown area. As related in a previous article, this nonprofit will serve any homeless person, not just veterans … but getting to our homeless veterans is its first priority. If you know of one, contact Bob Rapp (see flyer below). Transportation can be arranged. (more…)
Effective 1 July 2015, a little mentioned section of the Veterans Access, Choice, And Accountability Act of 2014 signed into law by the President on 7 August will have huge consequences to Pennsylvania’s public institutions of higher learning. It may well affect the well-being of about 25,000 veterans who are students and up to $300 million in state revenues from the federal government to Pennsylvania’s institutions of higher learning.
Section 702 of that law states:
… the Secretary shall disapprove a course of education provided by a public institution of higher learning (more…)
If needed, click on image to expand for reading. ### As of 5 August 2014
As most already know, Veterans Sanctuary unfortunately is no more. It ceased to be after a troubled ten months of operation last year. The building, which was the physical shell for a sophisticated therapeutic approach to treating our returning war veterans, both men and women, when they suffered from chronic addiction to drugs or alcohol and profound war-induced trauma, figuratively collapsed for lack of local county, state and federal government support – only the City of Allentown had assisted.
But a light still shines. (more…)
If you have been thinking of applying, you better move quickly; if you know someone who might be entitled, inform them quickly, for the deadline to apply for Pennsylvania’s Persian Gulf War Bonus is nigh and has not been extended. The deadline is still 31 August 2015. (more…)
It may not be as fashionable these days to talk about transition shelters for the chronic homelessness, with all the new emphasis on Housing First models (permanent housing with at least initial case management) and preventive services, but like shoes for feet, “one size does not fit all.” There is a place for this service which wraps itself around a chronically homeless veteran and assists him/her in recovery to the point that he/she resumes a productive life – and being concerned about the continuum of care often needed afterwards. (more…)
LAST CALL!
TIME CHANGE DUE SUMMER’S EXTREME HEAT
FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED
FLY FISHING OUTING
Tuesday July 15th 2014
BOB SAKS’ POND
4 PM TO 8 PM
Dear Vets and Volunteers,
A Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Mini-Outing is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15th 2014 at Bob Saks’ Pond between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. This is an informal day of fishing for fun. There will be no schedule to follow. The group will be limited to the first 10 vets and 10 instructors who return the pre-registration form below. (more…)