Empowering Veterans: Kentucky VEAC event produces unforgettable success stories

In the heart of Louisville, Kentucky, from June 27 to 29, an extraordinary event unfolded, igniting a sense of empowerment, camaraderie and hope among Veterans and their families, caregivers and survivors.

The Veterans Experience Action Center (VEAC) was a beacon of support, providing invaluable resources and services to those who have selflessly served their country. With a particular focus on rural and women Veterans, the VEAC event showcased the collective efforts of organizations and notable speakers and guests, and inspired success stories that left a lasting impact on all who attended.

Fostering a sense of community and support

At the core of the VEAC event lay the fundamental objective of fostering a sense of community among Veterans and their support networks. Throughout the event, attendees were immersed in an environment teeming with empathy, understanding and the shared bond of service. Notable guest speakers, including Jim Wartski, executive director of the Veteran, Family, and Community Engagement Directorate of VA’s Veterans Experience Office; Dr. Silas Session, executive director of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA); Lyndon Pryor, president and CEO of the Louisville Urban League, and Congressman Morgan McGarvey offered their invaluable insight and support, fostering inspiration and gratitude among the participants.

Collaboration of key organizations

The VEAC event showcased a collaborative effort involving various organizations dedicated to enhancing the lives of Veterans. The Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, National Cemetery Administration and Veterans Experience Office provided comprehensive support and services. But events such as the VEACs would be impossible without the tremendous impact added by VA’s state and local partners. KDVA emerged as a significant contributor to the event’s success, ensuring that the needs of Kentucky’s Veterans were met. Additionally, employers seeking to hire Veterans, community service providers and many other organizations joined forces to offer a wide array of resources and opportunities.

While there were so many people who played important roles in the success of this VEAC, a couple of key players really should be called out by name. Tammy Yarbrough, the Veterans Experience Officer from the Louisville VA Medical Center, and Anita Vincent, the Change Management Analyst from the Louisville Regional Benefits Office, were critical in the ability of the entire team to provide the amazing level of support shown to all our Veterans, family members, caregivers and survivors who attended this event. Without the leadership, insight, and dedication of Tammy and Anita, the level of support shown at this event might not have been possible.

Empowering initiatives

The VEAC event went above and beyond in its commitment to supporting Veterans. Innovative initiatives, such as on-the-spot claims review and health care adjudication, provided attendees immediate access to vital services. Employment support programs aimed to connect Veterans with meaningful job opportunities, leveraging their unique skill sets and experiences. The VEAC event also focused on the PACT Act, ensuring that Veterans and their families received the help they deserved.

Unforgettable success stories

Throughout the event, attendees shared powerful success stories, highlighting the profound impact of the VEAC experience. Michael Bell, a Veteran, recounted how he learned about the event: “A guy was riding around on a bicycle, and he came up to me and told me about what was going on with VA over here with Norton Healthcare. He told me to come over here and check it out!”

Another Veteran, Larry Childers, who drove over 100 miles with his wife of 53 years to attend the event, expressed gratitude for VA’s life-changing cornea transplant. This procedure would have otherwise been financially burdensome: “I was blind for over 30 years; then they transplanted two corneas from two donors. This surgery would have been $118,000 per eye, but VA took care of it.”

Brandy Mundo and her mother found solace and assistance in navigating the benefits process after the passing of Brandy’s father: “My dad died in April, and the process to file for benefits for my mother has been confusing, so it was wonderful to come here and have someone help us. We are all super grateful.”

Veteran Nick Winters highlighted “the efficiency of getting things done. I’ve been trying to get a claim done for over two years, and I’ve been denied, left on hold for hours and un-helped. And coming here took a few hours, but we got everything straightened out, and I now have a pathway for getting everything done and getting help. It’s crazy, but everything here went smoothly, and leaving here everyone knew my name, which blew my mind after four hours. And the way the folks here took me and introduced me to the people I needed to meet, not just sending me across the room. It was great.”

A Marine Veteran who was present for all three days of the event shared that “Everything is here, so you don’t have to navigate a phone system or a website to get to talk to someone. That’s the important part for me. This VEAC is the Disneyland of VA because everything is here under one roof.”

Finally, amid the transformative atmosphere of the VEAC event, a homeless Air Force Veteran found renewed hope. Recognizing the Veteran’s inherent goodness and work ethic, his compassionate boss brought him to the event, seeking the assistance he deserved. Leesa Barley from the Louisville Regional Benefits Office and Eileen Ward from KDVA guided the Veteran through the process. Their unwavering dedication resulted in a rating decision that brought about a retroactive payment of $4,000 and enrollment in the HUD-VASH program. With ongoing support from VA and KDVA, the Veteran and his employer left the VEAC event with smiles that reflected the newfound path toward stability and well-being.

These stories, along with the experiences of countless others, exemplify the life-altering outcomes that unfolded at the VEAC event.

The power of centralized support

One of the remarkable aspects of the VEAC event was its ability to bring together an extensive range of benefits and information in one centralized location. Participants expressed their awe and appreciation for the efficiency and accessibility of services, with 95.6% of VEAC customers finding it easy to obtain the information and support they needed. The overwhelmingly positive responses continued, with 94.8% acknowledging the effectiveness of VA and its partners in delivering services. Equally impressive were the sentiments of participants who felt valued and respected during the event (99.6%), placed their trust in the VA and its partners (92.1%) and enthusiastically recommended the VEAC to other Veterans (99.2%).

The Kentucky VEAC event will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of the Veterans and their families, caregivers and survivors who experienced its transformative power. With a particular focus on rural and women Veterans, the event exemplified the unwavering dedication of many organizations, the wisdom shared by notable guest speakers, the implementation of groundbreaking initiatives and the countless success stories that emerged. By centralizing a vast range of resources and support, the VEAC event truly embodied the spirit of empowerment and unity that is vital for the well-being and thriving of our brave Veterans.

VA and its state and community partners will bring this same level of energy and dedication to VEACs in Texas, July 18-20; Colorado, Aug. 22-23; and the Pacific region, Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 (in-person) and Sept. 6-7, 2023 (virtual).