DOVER, Del. — Veterans from across Delaware came together Monday for a resource fair aimed at connecting fellow veterans and their families with the support they need.
The event, held at Delaware Technical Community College in Dover, was hosted by Delaware's congressional delegation and the Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans and their families had access to federal, state, and local agencies offering services related to homelessness, employment, transportation and mental health.
Many of the organizations on hand were staffed by veterans themselves.
Michael Ferver, a community outreach coordinator with VMC, an organization that works with homeless veterans, said the culture of self-reliance ingrained in military service can make it hard for veterans to ask for help.
"As a veteran myself, I can say that absolutely all of us come from a culture of self-reliance, where we're trained from basic training all the way through to adapt, improvise, overcome, to lead the mission no matter what," Ferver said.
Don Dressler, who served 22 years active duty in the Air Force said events like this are crucial.
“We don't know what's out there until we come to an event like this, and find it,” said Dressler. “Maybe some folks aren't on social media. But word of mouth, and you know just kind of being out there and seeing all these organizations in one location.”
Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs staff say only one in three Delaware veterans are signed up for benefits they have earned.
Bryan Clarke, a 38-year Army National Guard veteran and member of Canines Assisting Service Heroes, said awareness is the biggest hurdle.
"Having a program like this, it helps them to be able to know that there are resources out there that can support them in whatever way they need it. But the biggest thing is that we get the information out. Sometimes it's a friend or family member that can help convince them that this is really what's going to support them," Clarke said.
In August, state and federal veterans affairs organizations plan to host a clinic in Dover where veterans can file a claim or enroll in VA health care.
