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Veterans Life and Recreation Center

caution sign The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 7 years ago.

We are excited to share with you the details of a new development. By digitizing
filing procedures and maximizing the efficiency of our existing space; The Veterans’ Services Department
is developing “The Veterans’ Life and Recreation Center”. When completed, The Veterans’ Life and
Recreation Center (VLRC) will be a Trauma Informed space complementing the department’s regular
hours, and services. A Trauma Informed directive means adapting services to respond empathetically to the
needs of trauma survivors, and ensuring the presence of a physically and emotionally safe environment.
With this informed directive in mind, the VLRC is being created for two purposes:

Purpose One: Socializing in a Safe and Trauma Informed Environment. This is the primary function.
Simply put, we are building on an experience which already occurs in the space. This experience being
a culture of healthy socialization and the sense of community and support for our veterans and our clients.
The challenge has been that the office environment has been ill-equipped to meet this important need, nor
met it from a Trauma Informed perspective. Instead of sitting or standing in The Department waiting room,
in close proximity to staff operations and personal VA claim screenings, our veterans and clients will have a
more appropriate space for recreational activities like quiet reflection, reading, and socializing. There is
great value in having a space for you attached to our office, yet removed from our regular intake operations
for benefits and services.

Purpose Two: Health and Life Skills Programming. We are collaborating with other City Departments and
conducting research on what programming is most successful to support, connect, and heal our veterans,
especially those who struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Post-Deployment
Reintegration limitations. We have met with department heads and reviewed programming which may
complement or inform ours. Some providers and vendors are already employed by the City and some have
expressed an interest to collaborate. These professionals would bring us structured programming ideas like:
A Writers Workshop, Fitness & Nutrition, Financial Literacy, Life Coaching, Occupational & Art Therapy,
and Meditation. We have envisioned these to be scheduled as 2 to 4 classes for six-weeks in the spring and
in the fall. These will be for groups of 6 to 8 veterans and their allies. Full capacity will be easier to
determine once the space is complete. As the focus is on health and life skills training; such as writing,
meditation, and discussion, we anticipate it will be a quiet space. Some non-structured activities which
veterans may organize are board game gatherings, book club discussions, and other focused discussion or
networking groups. See the reverse of this page for a sample of one workshop being developed!
We are excited to be providing this space to veterans and their advocates. We invite you to share this notice
amongst veterans and their support networks to come by for a tour, or call and share their ideas!


For a list of workshops and to signup for a workshop click here.

Page was posted on 5/8/2018 5:18 PM
Page was last modified on 7/25/2023 1:59 AM
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