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Date: 12/18/2015
WEST SPRINGFIELD – It’s West Springfield hosted a program for veterans, highlighting the benefits and programs they are eligible for the in the community at the Dante Club on Dec. 15.
The program included presenters from the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services, United Bank and Berkshire Bank, who walked veterans through benefits like Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, “welcome home bonuses” and the Women Veterans’ Network.
Nicole Darden, an outreach coordinator with Statewide Advocacy for Veterans’ Empowerment (SAVE) Team, said there are programs to give veterans “a hand up” when times are tough, financially, mentally or physically.
The SAVE Team allows for one-on-one “peer support, veterans helping veterans,” she said. The team works to provide family support, suicide prevention and crisis response.
“We’ve served. We’ve navigated the VA systems. We’ve been through the highs and lows,” Darden said. “We’ve acclimated to civilian life and we’re here to serve not only as support but as a link and referral to programs and services in the private sector, as well as linking people to programs.”
She encouraged veterans to seek out the veterans services office in their town for guidance navigating programs like financial and medical assistance through Chapter 115.
The goal, she said, is to make “the system fit the veteran, not the veteran fit the system.”
Representatives from United Bank provided information about applying for a VA loan and the benefits that comes along with it. Denise Gopin, Berkshire Bank West Springfield Branch Officer, highlighted special programs available to veterans through the bank. This includes unlimited check writing, a $10 minimum balance and a waived transaction fee at all ATMs.
It’s West Springfield President Roberta Page said she felt it was important to help educate veterans as to what benefits and services are available.
“It’s West Springfield really wants to make positive differences in people’s lives and in particular in veterans’ lives. They’ve served our country, and there are these services and products available and so we just want to make sure they know about them and can avail themselves to the products and services,” Page said. “This was a way for It’s West Springfield to sort of get the word out and help people know who to contact and how to contact them.”
For more information about the services discussed at the presentation or for copies for materials distributed, contact Page at ItsWestSpringfield@gmail.com or 279-4567.