Loveland, Ohio – Democracy In Action (DIA), a local Democrat Club, is hosting a first of what they hope will be annual Veterans Resource Event, Saturday, June 15 from Noon until 4 PM. The event brings together several local and regional organizations and businesses that provide support to Veterans and their families from job placement to physical health, addiction recovery to emotional well-being, and education to homeownership.
The event is free and open to all Veterans and their families regardless of where they reside and will be held on the Loveland Primary School lawn at 550 Loveland-Madeira Road.
“Folks ask why DIA is hosting this event, and the answer is simple: this is our community, our friends, families, neighbors, and in some cases, this is us,” said Jane Gonzales, DIA President, and Loveland resident. “We believe that our role as a community club is to actively support the diverse members of the Greater Loveland area regardless of political leaning.”
The Veterans Resource Event will have information and representation from the following:
- University of Cincinnati—Office of Veterans Programs & Services
- Clermont County Veterans Service Commission
- Hamilton County Veterans Service Commission
- Cincinnati-Hamilton County Public Library (Loveland Branch)
- Ohio Department of Jobs & Family Services
- Joseph’s House
- FCM Loans
- Team Red, White & Blue
- Erin Harper, Comey Shepherd
- West Chester Dog Training—TADSAW (Train a Dog, Save a Warrior)
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 120 Camp Dennison
- Cincinnati Veterans Center
- Cincinnati VA Hospital
- Greater Cincinnati Women’s American Legion Post 644
More participants are being added weekly according to the organizers.
“The idea sprang from a DIA member’s knowledge of the Stand Down program, begun in 1988 by two Vietnam Veterans to provide support specifically to Veterans experiencing homelessness in San Diego,” Gonzales said. “We were also concerned that the Veterans Administration (“VA”) estimates on average 17 Veterans die each day by suicide. Roughly seven percent of the City of Loveland residents are Veterans, which does not count the many Veterans living in the Greater Loveland area, which includes Miami, Symmes, and Deerfield Townships. To think that our neighbors might be at risk or struggling was a great concern to the members of our club. Together, we can ensure that our local Veterans continue to have the resources needed to remain a strong part of our community.”
The event—which DIA hopes will grow annually—pulls together the resources Veterans told the planning committee they would most like to see addressed based on what they are experiencing in their daily lives.
