County, SSVF partner to help veterans in NCW region

CHELAN VALLEY - Number 22.

For people that work for a veterans affair system, that number hits home.

“We know that 22 veterans commit suicide daily,” Veterans Service Coordinator for Chelan County Tony Sandoval said after a meeting at Apple Cup Cafe on Thursday, July 13. “There are two demographics, the younger generation coming back from war, and also veterans on the tail end of the Korean and Vietnam war. They all have a lot of pain and (are) not getting much help, but if vets get plugged into a VA system, that number goes down to 10.”

Around 48,000, or about 8 percent of the homeless population nationwide are veterans.

Although that number is a 35 percent decrease since 2009, homeless populations in Wenatchee have spiked in recent years.

“Wenatchee is becoming a hub for a growing number of homeless because there are so many services there,” Veterans Outreach Coordinator Shea Morgan said. “So we just want to make our selves available. If we can help you get into housing, that will help you get whatever else you need. If we can get you off the street then you are more likely help yourself.”

Sandoval, Morgan and other Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) members meet around the NCW area ever second Thursday in hopes of meeting veterans in the area.

“What we do essentially is formulate a little team between SSVF and the County and help veterans and families get health, education, disability, our housing claims,” Sandoval said. “So we facilitate these meetings and veterans can come in and have a doughnut, or just chat, and we try to sign them up for health care, employment or housing.”

After starting in February, Sandoval has assisted, talked or facilitated claims with over 200 veterans in Wenatchee, Chelan, Entiat, Ardevoir, Leavenworth and Cashmere.

Their hope is that with the growing number of services, veterans will come in to receive some help.

“We’re just trying to get these people off the streets and trying to get people with injuries and illnesses through the VA,” Sandoval said.

Zach Johnson can be reached at lcmeditor@gmail.com or (509) 682-2213