A Place For All Veterans: Stamford Opens New Veterans Resource Center

STAMFORD, CT — For generations, countless men and women have given back to the country by serving in the armed forces.

Now, it's time for Stamford to give back to veterans.

On an unseasonably warm Wednesday morning in front of Old Stamford Town Hall, elected officials, veterans and members of the community gathered to celebrate the opening of the Stamford Veterans Resource Center, which will be housed on the second floor of the building at 175 Atlantic St.

The dedicated space, fittingly across the street from Veterans Park, will allow veterans in Stamford and lower Fairfield County and their families better access to government resources, programs and community support services, as well as the opportunity to engage with other veterans and community partners in Stamford.

A brief presentation was held outside before the crowd moved inside for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour.

"This is such an exciting resource for our city. The purpose of this center is to give back to the brave men and women who have given so much to our country," said Mayor Caroline Simmons, noting that the center has been "long overdue."

She said there are 3,500 veterans in Stamford, and many more from surrounding towns who can take advantage of what the center will offer.

"We can continue to build on this so we can really be a model city to serve our veterans and give back to them the way they've given back to our country," Simmons added.

The center will operate under the direction of Stamford Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Carmen Hughes.

For Thomas Patterson, a Gulf War era veteran and U.S. Army specialist who was based at Schofield Barracks in the 25th Infantry Division, the Stamford Veterans Resource Center has the potential to change lives, he told Patch.

"Like myself, I was on a long journey for over 20 years trying to figure out and navigate through the VA system about benefits and services that I didn't know about, whether it's education, health care, housing, compensation," Patterson said. "This resource center is going to make a large impact on veterans, and it could possibly change their lives and help their families."

Patterson is now affiliated with the American Legion, and will volunteer as an aide at the center. He said veterans can expect to get help with things like securing veteran benefits and help with energy assistance or housing placement.

There will also be workshops centered around veterans' mental health and dealing with PTSD, and other issues.

"This has been a long time coming," Patterson said.

State Rep. Hubert Delany (D-144), a veteran himself who served in the U.S. Army, said the center is a symbol and a home.

"A symbol that we as a community and we as a government are willing to put in the effort to take care of those who take care of us, and a home for those veterans, those service members and their families to come and receive that help," he said.

Delany went on to say that the center is about helping people with their problems, "person by person, soldier by soldier, service member by service member, family by family."

Fellow state Rep. Matt Blumenthal (D-147), who is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps Reserves, said in many cases, military and political leaders have failed to provide the resources that veterans so desperately need. But Stamford is now doing its part to give back.

"What matters about today is not everyone standing here and what we're doing today. What matters is what's going to happen behind us in the days to come," he said.

The Rev. Winton Hill spoke briefly before the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Hill has served as a pastor at AME churches, and as a VA Hospital and U.S. Army chaplain.

He called the center a "wonderful dream."

"We thank the leadership of or state, we applaud the leadership of our city for this place where veterans whose wounds can not always be seen but who are indeed wounded can come and receive the support that they've earned and the support that they deserve, and the support that a grateful nation always gives to those who stood in harm's way," Hill added.

Hughes said that this is only phase 1 for the Stamford Veterans Resource Center.

Bginning next week, the center will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m., to 1 p.m., Hughes said. As the center grows and offers more programming and events, hours will expand.

Guests can enter Old Stamford Town Hall through the front door, or a side entrance on Bank Street to gain access to a ramp and elevator.

Anyone with questions can call 203-977-7993, or email veteransresourcecenter@stamfordct.gov.

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