A Message from Veterans Outreach Center Executive Director - Spring/Summer 2019

Spring always brings a sense of renewal and excitement, a time to embrace new ideas and get a fresh perspective. At Veterans Outreach Center, we asked the men and women we serve, what is their greatest need? Their answers have helped formulate the program structure and launch of the new VOC Morale Center for Health and Healing.

The combination of unemployment, substance abuse, health issues, and a shortage of adequate treatment options creates the "perfect storm" of often debilitating challenges for veterans such as chronic homelessness, violence, incarceration, and even suicide. Our new Morale Center employs complementary health approaches designed to address the trauma-informed mental and physical health issues that our veterans face.

Veterans also commonly return home with an array of physical health ailments related to their service. These challenges can include chronic head and neck injuries/pain, for example, from carrying heavy packs of cargo on their shoulders and back; injuries to the joint and knees originating from jumping out of planes; back problems/pain, headaches/migraines, spinal cord injury, muscle spasms/pain, and more. Our homeless veterans in particular commonly lack access to places to engage in personal hygiene practices such as showers, hair washing, haircuts, and clothes washing–all tenants to overall good health.

The VOC Morale Center for Health and Healing includes Chiropractic care, Acupuncture, A hydro massage chair, yoga/meditative therapy, art therapy as well as accesses to laundry and barber services.  Additional services will be added as needs are identified.

The Morale Center is located at VOC’s North Campus at 449 South Avenue in the City of Rochester’s South Wedge All activities are conducted by a combination of staff, consultants, and volunteers, with VOC executive staff oversight.  We are grateful for the donations and in-kind contributions of our volunteers and community partners that will be key in the center’s operation.  All activities are available to veterans free of charge.

For more information on how you can be a part of this transformative opportunity for the men and women who have served our nation, please contact me.  I would welcome the opportunity to give you a tour of our facility and discuss possibilities.

Sincerely,

Laura Stradley
Executive Director
Veterans Outreach Center
U.S. Army Veteran