Huntington Helps Veterans Find Services, Opportunities

The Town of Huntington held its first Veterans Services Day last week to help veterans learn about and take advantages of services available to them.

The first scheduled monthly event, which is in sponsorship with Suffolk County, had 23 service providers on hand to offer assistance on food, shelter, health care, legal services, job counseling and educational programs.

“What is our obligation when [veterans] return home here?” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said in a press release. “For those of us who did not sacrifice in that way, our obligation is to them and their families, to make sure that we are doing everything we can to help them.”

Veterans Services Day was held Friday, Sept. 9 at the Huntington Opportunity Resource Center.

One of the driving forces behind the Opportunity Resource Center, Huntington Councilwoman Tracey A. Edwards, said transportation for veterans can sometimes be a problem, so that’s why the Town brought all the services to them.

“Having all of the not-for-profits and all the organizations in one location is a great opportunity for our veterans,” Councilwoman Susan A. Berland said. “Now we need to reach out to our veterans, tell them they need to come here on Veterans Services Day and bring five of their veteran friends. It is up to each of us to spread the word and make sure veterans come so they can take advantage of all the opportunities we have to offer here.”

The Huntington Opportunity Resource Center is located at 1264 New York Ave. The Veterans Services Day hours will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the next scheduled days are October 14, November 4 and December 9.

The agencies represented at the first Veterans Services Day included American Legion Greenlawn Post 1244, Angels for Warriors, Assurance Wireless, EOC of Suffolk SSVF Program, Grant Associates Inc., Hope for Warriors, Long Island Cares, National Grid, New York Legal Assistance Group, Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center, PFC Joseph Dwyer Peer Supports Project, PSEG LI Consumer Advocate, Services for the Underserved, St. Joseph’s College Military and Veterans Affairs, Suffolk County Bar Association, Suffolk County Department of Labor, Suffolk County Department of Social Services, Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk County Veterans Agency, Supportive Services for Veterans & Families/Black Veterans for Social Justice Inc., United Way Vet’s Build, United Veterans Beacon House and Veterans Alliance of Long Island.

Image via Town of Huntington: (l-r) Capt. Brendan Forte, Suffolk County Police Department; Greenlawn American Legion Post 1244 acting adjutant Edward O’Shea; County Legis. Steve Stern, Councilwoman Susan A. Berland, County Executive Steve Bellone; Councilwoman Tracey A. Edwards; Supervisor Frank P. Petrone; Suffolk County Labor Commissioner Frank Nardelli, Beth Murphy, senior deputy commissioner, Suffolk County Labor Department; Greenlawn American Legion Post 1244 finance officer Bob Santo.