Veterans Issues: PTSD (Click on a picture on the player to view video)

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to one or more traumatic events that threatened or caused grave physical harm.  It is a severe and ongoing emotional reaction to an extreme psychological trauma.  This stressor my involve someone's actual death, a threat to t the patient's or someone else's life, serious physical injury, an unwanted sexual act, or a threat to physical or psychological integrity, overwhelming psychological defenses.

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Outreach Center Information

FutureWorks offers Financial Assistance and Funding for training and education to its members through The WIA (Workforce Investment Act) which provides funds for training and education by combining VWIP and TITLE 1 TRAINING FUNDS depending upon the Educational, Income and Employability guidelines and upon the timely completion of required research and documentation.

Veterans can now receive assistance at the center in finding employment and/or housing opportunities.  The Outreach Center has put together a vast network of preferred employment opportunities and housing opportunities for veterans in conjunction with various Corporations, Housing Agencies, Property Management Companies and Private Home Owners in and around the Pioneer Valley.

The Jorge Oterro Barreto Homeless Veterans Transitional Program located at 52 Maple Court in Springfield is open to homeless and/or displaced veterans to assist them in the transition from their current situation back into mainstream society. This program is available for any veteran honorably discharged that meets the criteria and is in need.  Veterans needing assistance can call the Western Massachusetts Bilingual Outreach Center at 413-731-0194

Cpl. Zayas Bi-lingual Veteran's Outreach Center              (Boston Satellite Office)

719 Tremont Street

Boston MA 02118

 Phone (617) 778-1310  Fax (617) 778-1309

The Corporal Zayas Bilingual Veterans Outreach Center is our Satellite Office in The City of Boston Mass offering the same quality service to the Boston Area Veterans.  Headed by Accredited Service Officer Jorge Pagan, a Veteran of the Army National Guard and the Persian War, the center reaches hundreds of veterans filing Pension/Compensation Claims, supplying valuable information and hosting a number of events in an around the Common Wealth. 

Jorge is on hand everyday Monday thru Friday to welcome you and assist you with your needs, stop in anytime!

2008 STAND DOWN A SUCCESS!

The Western Mass Bilingual Veterans Outreach Center hosted this years 2008 Stand Down at the Greek Cultural Center in Springfield Ma serving over 300 plus veterans.  Veterans showed up in numbers to take advantage of over 70 free service from area providers.  Stand Down Chairman and Executive Director of the Western Mass Bilingual Veterans Outreach Center Mr. Gumersindo Gomez said this years event was blessed by God as the event went off without a hitch.  Everything from the Opening Ceremony to the music which veterans enjoyed throughout the event were perfect.  Veterans received a hot breakfast and breakfast bar and an Italian style hot lunch prepared by The Hogar Crea Rehabilitation Program and served by the Women's Auxiliary of the VFW in Springfield Ma.  State Representative Ms. Cheryl Rivera was on hand to support the event as well as other Government Officials and Mayors from the surrounding communities.  Veterans also received Free Clothing and Services. For a look at the event as it happened click here.                                                                           

The ladies of the VFWA along with Ms. Jackie Martinez and Edwin Vazquez from the Center volunteered to help with clothing issue for homeless and low income vets.  The Center provided clothing donated from the Big Lots Department Store to all vets participating at Stand Down 2008.  Items issued ranged from underwear, socks, sports shoes, sweat suits, sweat shorts, shower shoes, towels, survival items such as tooth paste, shaving kits, first aid kits, sleeping bags and much more!

Veterans from all over Western Massachusetts came and took advantage of the event and walked away with a huge bag of much needed items.  Smiles and thank you's filled the gymnasium at the Greek Cultural Center as the veterans expressed their gratitude to the Western Mass Bilingual Veterans Outreach Center for the donations. 

The Donations where originally slated for the veterans serving in Iraq but for reasons beyond the Big Lots Corporations control the shipment never made it to our vets.  Mr. Gumersindo Gomez caught wind of the situation and sprang into action.  Believing that the shipment meant for our Gulf War Vets did not have to go to waste as the Big Lots Corporation planned to destroy the items, Mr. Gomez contacted the Corporation and told them of many state side veterans here in the Bay State which would benefit immensely from the items.  Big Lots agreed and donated the shipment to the Bilingual Veterans Outreach Center for Stand Down 2008.  Tons of merchandize arrived at the center and was held until the event began.

Veterans lined up an hour early to receive the item giveaway and where not disappointed.  When told of the history of the donations and how it was intended for our gulf war vets one veteran became teary eyed and choked up and wanted to refuse the donation saying "our gulf war veterans need and deserved this stuff...".  This shows the unselfish and patriotic nature of all veterans putting their fellow veterans first. 

 The Western Mass Bilingual Veterans Outreach Center is committed to serving "All Veterans from All Wars and Peace Time" and will welcome them to next years Stand Down 2009.

Inside The Center:

    Client Host Agent Orange Website Presentation of Honor at the Center  New Computers Enhance Service  

VVA National Website

VVA Bay State Vets

Outreach Center Celebrates 21st Anniversary

On Monday August 18, 2008 The Western Mass Bilingual Veterans Outreach Center celebrated its 21st anniversary.  The staff at the bilingual veterans outreach center Executive Director Mr. Gumersindo Gomez, Ms. Madeline Landrau, Mr. Marshall Mudge Jr., Mr. Wilfredo Melendez, Mr. Nathaniel P. Patterson III, Mr. Edwin Vasquez, Ms. Jacqueline Martinez and Ms. Dalyn Torres along with Board of Directors Mr. Heriberto Colon and Ms. Evelyn Martinez all helped to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Center.

Mr. Gomez made an emotional speech of how he and  his constituents started the organization and what he has learned from it throughout the years.  In a touching display of gratitude and emotion, each of the staff and board members made speeches recounting how Mr. Gomez and the Organization came into their lives at what was the lowest point of each persons life and made the difference. 

One thing for sure is that everybody is appreciative to Mr. Gomez for his compassion and inspiration..  "Because of him we are able to start the progression of our dreams of helping our Veterans in our community"...(Ms. Jacqueline Martinez)

After  the ceremony the staff and board members all enjoyed a smorgasbord  of Chinese Cuisine.  Keeping in line with his Military Bearing  the always SFC Gumersindo Gomez was the last to partake of the meal stating "A good drill sergeant will never eat before his troops and if there is nothing left after the troops have finished, he had better have a can of sea rations!..." 

Springfield Office Celebrates 21st Anniversary

Heriberto Colon, (left) President of the Board of Directors at the Western Mass Bilingual Veterans Outreach Center addresses the Staff at the centers private anniversary celebration.  One of the Centers oldest supporters, Mr. Colon gave an inspiring speech to the staff of the "Early Days" at the center and its accomplishments and advancements.

Marshall Mudge Jr., (right) VVA Senior Accredited Service Officer recounts his hiring by Executive Director Gumersindo Gomez and what the center has provided in his life.  Mr. Mudge, President of the Vietnam Veterans of America Springfield Chapter and VVA Senior Accredited Service Officer at the center was moved by the celebration as he recapped his first year at the center.

Wilfredo Melendez (left) VVA Accredited Service Officer was next speaking on team work and working together as one unit to meet a common goal which is the in best interest of our clients.  Detail oriented, Mr. Melendez has been with the center for over 5 years now and has earned the trust and respect of his clients and staff.  Mr. Melendez thanked Mr. Gomez for his guidance, support and opportunity at the center.

Madeline Landrau (right) Assistant Program Director and Second in Command of the Outreach Center gave thanks to Mr. Gomez and the Organization for helping her to realize that a mother of two young children can still be successful with a career.  Mimi has been with the organization for over 8 years starting out as the "Office Secretary" and gradually working her way up to Assistant Program Director.  Ms. Landrau is currently pursuing her degree at a local college.

Former client and newest Case Manager Nathaniel Patterson (right) flanked by current board member Ms. Evelyn Martinez and President of the Board Mr. Heriberto Colon spoke about his days as a client in the Jorge Oterro Barreto Homeless Veterans Transitional Home where he served as House Manager and was later hired by Mr. Gomez to join the staff at the center.  Since then Mr. Patterson as been a valuable part of the team acknowledging Mr. Gomez for his compassion in giving him an opportunity at what was the lowest point of his life to join the team at the center. "I am forever loyal and grateful to this man for what he has done in my life and will do whatever I can to support him and repay his kindness in helping me to have a future..."

PRVA's NEWEST EMPLOYEE'S

JACQUELINE MARTINEZ /OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Jacqueline Martinez affectionately known as "Jackie" has joined the PRVA Staff at the Outreach Center bringing with her over 10 years of Customer Service and Administrative experience to the table.  A Certified Office Administrator, Jackie is also a loving mother of two beautiful daughters Yamari age 14 and Maricruz age 7.

OUTREACH VOLUNTEERS

Dalyn Torres (Jackie's sister) is our office volunteer helping with all task's in and around the Outreach Center.  As a valuable part of our team Dalyn fits in perfectly with the staff by performing such duties as filing, copying, mailing correspondence and performing office maintenance helping our Center to run more efficiently and effectively for you.  Dalyn is currently pursuing an Associates Degree from a local college.

Nairoby Melendez Crucetts (Left) comes to the center as a volunteer.  Nairoby is a Three (3) year veteran of the Army Reserve and a single mom with a 3 year old son.  She is currently seeking to enhance her education via the Montgomery GI Bill by enrolling into a two year college course seeking an associates degree in Business Administration.

Noemy Ramos (Right), a mother of three with an Associates Degree in Human Resources and an experienced Case Manager volunteers her time at the center.  Noemy is currently pursuing her Bachelors Degree Sociology.

Kevin Rodriguez (Left) has been volunteering at the Center for the past two months.  He brings a wealth of skills and knowledge to the center as a A+ Computer Tech and an  IT Tech.  For the past four years Kevin has been servicing personal computers for both business and personal use.  Kevin plans to pursue his Bachelor of Arts Degree as a Microsoft Engineer in the near future.

We Serve, Because You Served!

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