ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Escanaba’s Veteran Center is supporting servicemembers in more ways than ever at its new facility.
The Vet Center has moved to a new location at 301 North 30th Street, after outgrowing its former building.
“One of the reasons we decided to relocate was our services were expanding with the veterans that we’re seeing,” said Vet Center Director Jim Harsh. “We were looking at a place that would be like a home environment for veterans.”
The Vet Center serves war zone veterans and their families who are seeking help.
“We are a confidential counseling program through the VA,” said Harsh. “Veterans talk about their experiences in a confidential place, taking away a lot of the stigma about recovering from war zones.”
The center offers a variety of one-on-one, group, and whole health therapy options to meet veterans where they are. In this larger facility, the Vet Center can provide even more services.
“We’re able to offer more whole health opportunities,” Harsh said. “Yoga, Tai Chi, music therapy.”
Harsh says plans are in the works to establish other programs in the future.
“We’re hoping to host more groups for fellowship, recreation,” he said. “We’re creating a craft group, and other opportunities might be tying flies for fly fishing. As they’re doing that activity, they’re also practicing ways of coping with frustrations–how do we manage our anger and moods when things don’t go the way we want them to?”
With a guarantee of privacy, support from others who have served, and the freedom to come in without an appointment, Harsh says the Vet Center is a safe space for each veteran who visits.
“We’re a place that gives the veteran an opportunity to tell their story,” he said. “It’s a non-clinical kind of environment. They can come in, grab a cup of coffee, sit down with a counselor. It’s a non-threatening kind of experience compared to walking into a stale clinic.”
For more information on services available at the Escanaba Vet Center, click here.
