Day dedicated to Capital Region veterans, sharing resources

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - In Schenectady on Sunday, the entire day was dedicated to veterans. The county's Veteran Peer-to-Peer Network and Veterans Service Agency put on a veteran's fair to connect those who have served or are currently serving our country with the resources that are available in the Capital Region.

According to the organizers of the veterans day out, there are over 7,200 individuals that have served our country and call Schenectady County home. In support of Schenectady County Veterans, the region's leading veteran service agencies took action to make those veterans aware of what resources they have by setting up a gathering in Central Park.

Jesse Aragona, the peer-to-peer network coordinator at the county veteran services, said it has been a challenge, especially after the COVID pandemic, to make veterans and their families familiar with the resources out there. He said several organizations that are fully funded are just not getting utilized, which prompted the need for the gathering.

"So one of the problems with veteran services in general is that there are hundreds of resources and they are all scattered," Aragona said. "So we've tired to bring together a miss match of everybody we could. Whether it's from the VA itself, the Legacy Project, MVP Health Care. We've had every organization that I know personally that could be here was here."

At the park, representatives from local, county, and state organizations and agencies where working face-to-face with veterans, educating them on what resources and services are there to accommodate their needs. Some of the groups in attendance were: the New York State Office of Mental Health, Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, and Patriot Hills of New York.

And county leaders like Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara said he sees just how much of a struggle it has been to have these resources not be used to their full potential.

"For us it has always been a challenge, especially for older veterans, very difficult because sometimes they are not online, sometimes they don't do email," Santabarbara said. "Sometimes you don't have the resources where you can search online and find out where to connect and find out where to go and what to do; sometimes that's not an option."

Besides connecting veterans with the proper resources, organizers also hoped that veterans could be able to meet with others who have served and build relationships. Vietnam Veteran Bill Frank, was assisting those looking to learn more about AMVETS and spoke with others in need. He said he knows how much this veterans day can help out.

"That's what I love doing, is making a difference in veterans lives," Frank said.

To get further assistance, organizers recommend visiting the Schenectady County Veterans Service Agency and the Veterans Peer-to-Peer Network.