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Date: 11/3/2021
EAST LONGMEADOW – Veterans and family members are invited to stop by the Pleasant View Senior Center for coffee, conversation and potentially life-changing resources.
Michelle Barrett, Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for Eastern Hampden County Veterans’ Service District, will be hosting a monthly “coffee hour.” The first meeting took place Nov. 4, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Barrett, who serves the towns of East Longmeadow, Hampden and Wales, said, “I serve over 2,100 [veterans] and East Longmeadow is the biggest part.” One of her primary purposes as VSO is to explain to veterans what benefits are available to them under MGL Chapter 115 and help them sign up. Barrett said Western Massachusetts has resources that many veterans don’t know about. For example, she said, there is a free grocery store for veterans set up in the former 99 Restaurant at the Eastfield Mall. “No one knows about these services,” she said.
The VSO noted that some veterans are hesitant to seek out help, but said encouragement from a friend or family member can make a difference. “This is for friends, family who can reach out to veterans they know to say ‘stop by and see Michelle. She has information that can help,’” Barrett said. The coffee hour presents a no-pressure situation for veterans or their loved ones to look into services and resources.
Outreach can sometimes be difficult, so Barrett said that she takes any opportunity to lett veterans know she can help them. She shared that when she sees someone in the community wearing a veteran’s hat, she will introduce herself, thank them for their service and hand them her card. Barrett will even visit homebound veterans, to help set them up with services, if needed.
In the meantime, Barrett is hoping to connect people with what they need over some coffee.
The Pleasant View Senior Center is located at 328 N. Main St. in East Longmeadow. Barrett can be reached at 525-5400 ext.1416.