Joe Brooks, Executive Director of the Veterans Multi Service Center, discussed their vital work in serving the veterans who were broken by their service, providing emergency shelter, addiction services and needed documentation; working to ensure they receive the benefits they are entitled to receive, navigational help with medical benefits and care through the Veterans Administration and educational and other funds they are due. He discussed its founding, by Vietnam vets as a direct service provider to other vets, to a tri-state regional provider with nine offices and shelter facilities.
We discussed their work in employment for vets, ranging from shelter and medical and addiction intervention through job training, resumes and coaching. While some vets will not be able to establish a career, he encourages employers to hire vets for steady, committed employees, who understand teamwork and schedules and notes that 91% of his vets gain life-changing employment. Joe addressed the myth that homeless or vulnerable vets are alone, many vets are supporting families. He described the need for services for the entire vet family. We also spoke of their programming for female vets; they will soon make up 20% of the population. He discussed their unique programming for women, addressing the sexual trauma many experienced they offer direct services administered by women and shelter exclusively for women.