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Veterans assistance fairs set
YOUNGSTOWN
A series of three all-day job, training and benefits fairs devoted to veterans will offer a convenient one-stop shop for consultations with multiple agencies. Same-day eligibility determinations can be made for those who bring the necessary documents.
The fairs, with a theme of “Veterans: We Salute You,” will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday May 26 and June 23 at Oakhill Renaissance Place, 345 Oak Hill Ave., Lobby B.
Robert E. Bush Jr., Mahoning County Job and Family Services director and a Marine veteran of the Vietnam War, said he decided to conduct these fairs after hearing his fellow veterans complain “about the red tape and the hassle” in dealing with government agencies.
“I just thought about putting together something where they could come one day and have most of these agencies they deal with here, and get in and get out, with no waiting,” he added.
“The experts will be here,” concerning benefit and entitlement programs of multiple agencies, he said.
“We’re not talking about cutting corners. We’re just simply doing all we can to accommodate that veteran and make a determination right then and there,” Bush explained.
“We wanted to give them a day where we’re honoring them and making sure, in one day, they can get their questions answered and have some idea of where they’re headed,” said Melissa Sellers, special programs administrator at JFS.
Organizations that will be represented at the veterans’ fairs will include JFS, the county Veterans Service Commission, the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority, the Youngstown State University Veterans Services Office, ITT Technical Institute and Ohio Means Jobs, the state’s job-placement agency.
Veterans’ organizations also will be represented.
Those wishing same-day eligibility determinations for benefits, including health care, food or child care assistance or medical transportation, should bring a photo identification; proof of income; proof of veteran status using a DD 214 form; proof of residency, using a utility bill, mortgage book or lease agreement; documentation of assets; child-care receipts and documentation of medical expenses.
Atty. James Denney will volunteer his time to offer veterans free legal advice at the fairs, concerning a wide variety of topics, including bankruptcy, wills and powers of attorney.
Veterans attending the fairs will be able to take with them a list of agency contacts and phone numbers for future reference.
In conjunction with the first fair, the Mahoning County commissioners will conduct their regular meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Oakhill auditorium.
“Hopefully, the people who aren’t already in touch with the services can make their way over here,” said Susan Skrzynski Krawchyk, county Veterans Service Commission director.
“Even if you have been here before, try coming again, and maybe things have changed so that you might now be eligible” for benefits or services, she urged veterans.
“Sometimes, the law changes,” she added.
For more information about the fairs, call Sellers at 330-740-2600, extension 8605.
The Mocha House will donate coffee; the Classic Bakery will donate cookies and the Balloon Doctor will donate balloons for the events, Sellers said.