A Plan to Better Serve Our Veterans

This week, at an event at the Italian American War Veterans’ post in East Boston, I laid out my plan to address issues facing Boston’s Veterans.  I was joined by State Representative Carlo Basile, who serves as Chairman of Joint Committee on Veterans & Federal Affairs at the State House, and Andrew Biggio, founder of Boston's Wounded Vet Run.

We must improve our city services to meet the needs of our returning heroes. As mayor, my priorities for serving our veterans would include:

• Establishing a unified veteran’s council within city government to help provide coordinated services to veterans of all generations.
• Supporting state legislation filed by Rep. Carlo Basile that would fund home modifications for returning veterans whose injuries require home remodeling and establishing a city-funded program to match such funds.
• Strengthening connections with Boston’s non-profits and hospitals to expand access to successful programs like Mass General’s “Home Base” program that provides clinical services to veterans and their families.
• Ensuring that Boston’s two VA medical facilities continue to receive the support of city government and that veterans are able to connect with services designed to supporting them.
• Supporting initiatives that encourage the hiring of veterans.
• Supporting programs that help veterans to complete their education, like the Veterans Upward Bound Program at the University of Massachusetts-Boston.
• Ensuring that all veterans have access to quality mental health care services through community health centers and ensuring that all mental health care providers are trained to serve veterans.
• Organizing job and benefit fairs like Boston VA’s Veterans’ Expo 2013 to help connect Veterans with prospective employers, schools and city officials who can assist them.
• Connecting working with organizations like the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans and Boston Healthcare for the Homeless to ensure that all of our veterans have access to the housing and services that they need.
• Making sure that the city partners with and supports veterans’ causes like the Boston Wounded Vet Ride and collaborates with VFW and AMVETS posts.