Metzger Continues Successful Resource Fair Series for Veterans and Service Members in Sullivan and Orange Counties

Middletown, NY...State Senator Jen Metzger (SD-42) made her way from the Sullivan County Government Center in Monticello to HONOR Shelter in Middletown yesterday, welcoming veterans, service members, and their families to resource fairs sponsored by her office in both counties.

Drawing in dozens of attendees across both events, fairgoers were able to connect with participating service organizations to receive legal, financial, and health-related support. Partners included: Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program, Action Toward Independence, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, Middletown Vet Center, VA Hudson Valley Health Care, Sullivan 180, Sullivan County Veterans Coalition, Sullivan County Veterans Service Agency Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association, and WestCOP Supportive Services for Veteran Families, among others.

“Thanks to an incredible group of participating county, state, and community organizations—many of which joined us on this whirlwind day at both resource fairs—my office was able to facilitate helpful connections between our veteran community and programs and resources available to them that veterans and their families might not otherwise know about,” said Senator Metzger. “I look forward to continuing these fairs in the new year and hope that those who couldn’t make it this time will join us at events in the future.”

Attendees at both events also had an opportunity to view the New York Warrior Promise Wall, a traveling memorial, organized by Laurene Sandstrom and Michael Flower, honoring the servicemen and women who have fallen to suicide.

Metzger has shown strong advocacy on behalf of veterans, service members and their families, having secured $200,000 in state funding this year to support Legal Services of the Hudson Valley’s Veterans and Military Families Advocacy Project (VMFAP), which provides free legal services to qualifying veterans, active military and their families on civil matters including navigating the Veterans Administration, among other systems. In September, Metzger announced new legislation to designate September 22 as “Veteran Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day” to remember those lost to suicide and raise awareness on the public health crisis to prevent the further tragic loss of life in our veteran community.