The California Department of Veterans Affairs and the California State Library are joining forces to help California veterans get connected to the benefits and services they’ve earned through military service. This year-long pilot program will create a Veterans Resource Center staffed by trained volunteers in the Redding Library, the Point Loma/Hervey Branch Library in San Diego, and the Beale Memorial Library in Bakersfield.

Volunteers will undergo an intensive one-day training provided by CalVet which will include information about veterans benefits and services, veteran reintegration challenges, listening and problem-solving skills, and meaningful information and referral techniques. This training will prepare volunteers to answer basic benefits-related questions for veterans and their families, to offer CalVet and other appropriate veterans benefits resources, and to provide a checklist of documents and information needed when applying for benefits through the County Veterans Service Office. If successful, the pilot program could be replicated in public libraries statewide.

“Veterans are often unaware of the services available to them, confused about the benefits they are entitled to, and unsure about how to take advantage of them,” said CalVet Secretary Peter J. Gravett. “We’re very excited about this program and grateful to the State Library for helping us reach and assist California veterans and their families. We’re confident this program will be effective and look forward to taking it statewide.”

Volunteers are sought who have an interest in serving veterans and their families, who can work a minimum of one two-hour shift per week in one of the partner libraries, and who will make a one-year commitment to the program. To view the full Veteran Resource Center volunteer position description and complete an application, go to http://libraries.volunteermatch.org.

This project is supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian."