The Rotary Club of Lynnwood Wounded Veterans' Committee met to discuss how to assist local wounded veterans. Representatives from various veteran assistance organizations presented on the services they provide, such as housing, employment assistance, and connecting veterans to benefits. Areas of unmet need identified included mentorship, gap funding for expenses, service dogs, and housing. The committee agreed the club's project should not duplicate existing services and should focus on veterans with visible and invisible wounds. They planned next steps like having speakers to explain the need and determining a next meeting.

1. Rotary Club of Lynnwood
DRAFT Minutes – Wounded Veterans’ Committee Meeting
February 9, 2012
Rotarians Present: Kirk Greiner, Matt Hoffman, Staser Holcomb (Rotary Club of Edmonds), Pam LeMay,
Stan McKenzie, Jim Morino, Tom Sehrer, Adrienne Seirarra, and Nicola Smith
Agency Representatives Present: Listed below with organization
Kirk opened the meeting at 11:10am; welcomed those in attendance and asked each to make an
introduction; and gave the background of this proposed project.
The draft minutes from the January 12, 2012 were reviewed and approved. With the purpose of the
meeting to continue gathering information about what services are provided to local wounded veterans
and what services are needed. The following present individuals offered a summary of their
organizations:
Donald Larchman, Washington Department of Veterans Affairs
Assistance provided through special programs: justice/incarceration; homeless and reintegration to
civilian life; medically ordered service therapeutic dogs for disabled vets; behavioral health services.
WDVA also provides an excellent statewide call center as well as long term care, domiciliary and
transitional housing, Vets Corp and service partnerships with Catholic Community Services. They could
provide list of vets in our target area.
Kevin Marshall, Catholic Community Services
Assistance provided: employment and housing assistance through STEP (target group Vietnam era vets
who were homeless at one time and in current subsidized housing) and HVRP (target group are Post
Vietnam Era vets/Gulf War who are homeless and trying to reintegrate into society—being provided
with employment and educational assistance but no housing) programs; referral for basic needs
including food; housing/emergency lodging; assistance with application for vet benefits.
Raymond Miller, Therapeutic Health Services
Assistance provided: specialists in outreach and veterans benefits with expertise in the application
processes for disability compensation, pension, voc rehab, healthcare, education, burial and housing
purchases.
Bob Reese, Volunteers of America
Assistance provided: housing and food; 211 Resource Referral; 24/7 Care Crisis Response Services;
Dispute Resolution Center services (free or sliding scale) including divorce and renter certification to
repair renter’s record; early learning services for families. VOA could provide the committee with data
collected from 211 calls which could identify need requests by zip code, age and other demographics.
Mike Schindler, Operation Military Family and Military Veterans Promotion Network
Assistance provided: workshops, seminars and training; support for vets and their families by
connecting them to critical services using mobile and web-based technology including V APP an
interactive application to provide resource referral for vets and case managers; events and educational
materials for families; and a model for merchants to offer discounts and promotions to military
personnel/families. OMF could provide the committee with expertise to set-up a research study on the
effectiveness of the project the club undertakes. www.operationmilitaryfamily.com
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2. Peter Schmidt , Veterans Training Center Assistance provided: resources and training for direct service
providers who work with vets. Peter can provide mentorship training and could speak at a club meeting
re the needs of vets. http://veteranstrainingsupportcenter.org
Hannah Schoepp, Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Assistance provided: employment services;
eliminating barriers that prevent employability.
Steve Swanson, Heartbeat Serving Wounded Warriors
Assistance provided: emergency services including “gap” funding for expenses such as rent, car, airfare;
morale building especially around the holidays or through activities scuba as scuba diving and equine
programs which include therapists. www.heartbeatforwarriors.org
Kirk also provided a written recommendation made by Randi Jensen, The Soldiers Project NW who
recommended Boots to Shoes, a nonprofit that pairs employers as mentors. Additionally, she shared an
observation made at a meeting she attended that “no more programs be encouraged (to help vets) and
that more cooperation and joining of existing ones should be the goal. www.thesoldiersproject.org
Areas of unmet need suggested at the February 9th Meeting:
o Immediate Need: Mentorship especially to increase employability that will result in
employment; summer jobs between quarters
o Immediate Need: Providing “gap” or “bridge” funding, especially during break between
educational quarter/semesters and while waiting for paperwork to be processed
o Top Priority: Sponsorship of highly trained therapeutic service dogs for wounded vets. See King
TV story at http://www.king5.com/news/cities/bellingham/Bellingham-group-130943528.html
o Adopt a wounded vet’s family or vet for scuba or equine program
o Available housing and emergency shelter per Kevin Marshall. Hotel vouchers for single
individuals would satisfy a great need.
Areas of unmet need suggested at the January 12th Meeting:
o Basic needs, especially hygiene items although these are provided by shelters and service
agencies like the WDVA (per Donald Lachman).
o Educational scholarships to children or activities for families of disabled or deceased veterans.
(Donald commented that there are already a variety of programs making scholarships available.)
o Co-sponsoring educational/social activities offered to disabled vets, including participating with
or providing transportation to the event (Donald commented that a growing number of groups
focused on social and recreational activities for disabled vets including DAV and other national
organizations working closely with the Wounded Warriors Battalions.
o Hands-on repair/maintenance of the vet’s home or medical assistance equipment if not
provided by VA.
o Emergency funds (gift cards better than cash) to assist while paperwork is being processed
which can be anywhere from 3-24 months. This is similar to the need for “gap” funding.
o In Snohomish, transportation assistance is available from a variety of resources including CCS
and American Legion.
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3. Committee Agreements:
A. It would be beneficial for Peter and others as identified (ie Donald with a vet and service dog) to
be a speaker at a club meeting to provide an overview of why a project for wounded vets is
needed.
B. Whatever the club decides to undertake, it should be simple and not replicate services already
being provided by other agencies/organizations.
C. 85-95% of vets do well adjusting to civilian life. The emphasis of this project will be for vets with
visible and invisible wounds in the local county.
Action Items:
1. Peter will provide Pam with the article “Next Mission—Employment.”
2. Pam disseminate draft minutes as well as copies of Peter’s report and the above article to those
interested.
3. Kirk will determine the next meeting date/time/location (March) and provide invitations to
those who have indicated an interest in serving on the committee as well as recommended new
attendees.
Respectfully submitted by Committee Scribe, Pam LeMay
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