Staff photo / Bob Coupland
Mike Chambers of Warren Township, left, a Veterans Association volunteer, John Bower of Youngstown, chaplain for Grace Hospice, and Jason Menz of Cortland, case manager for supportive services for veterans, discuss information for veterans at a recent Vet to Vet Cafe held the second Thursday of each month at Warren Scope Center.

The new program, which started this summer, runs from 2 to 4 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the senior center, 375 N. Park Ave.

The free cafe is sponsored by Grace Hospice and SCOPE Senior Service.

John Bower, chaplain for Grace Hospice, said there are educational programs focused on veterans, including assistance with therapy access, acquiring necessary items such as hearing aids and utilizing services offered by the Veterans Association.

“We started in June as an opportunity to get veterans together for conversation or educational programs,” Bower said. “There is a program at Grace Hospice called ‘We Honor Veterans,’ and I wanted to have a program to bring veterans together to help them with issues and concerns with health care and veterans services.”

The programs are geared to veterans or family members of veterans.

Chuck Ciapala, veterans services officer of the Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission, spoke at the July gathering on veterans’ benefits and services.

“I tell veterans what benefits, health care and disability they are entitled to when they come home from service. I let them know of new things the VA is doing to help veterans,” Ciapala said. “I want to make sure they are up to speed on what is taking place and new programs and services.”

Bower said Disabled American Veterans will be at the September meeting.

“We encourage veterans to come so we can help them with any questions or concerns they may have,” Bower said,

Mike Chambers, a VA volunteer, said he attends to learn from the speakers so he can share information with veterans he knows.

Autumn Lopez, administrator for Grace Hospice, expressed enthusiasm for organizing the Vet to Vet Cafe with participating veterans.

“The goal is to connect veterans with the services and programs that are out there to help them,” she said.

Lopez said there is a program planned for September to honor veterans who served during the Vietnam War.

Lopez said the “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans” program will be designed to thank the veterans who were not treated well when they came home.

Bower said he and others are always looking at ways to honor veterans for their service.

“These were the veterans who did not get honored, and we want to honor them,” he said.

Melissa Burt, area director of business development at Washington Square Healthcare / Nursing Home in Warren, Trumbull County VA provider, said she attends to get her information out to the veterans and their families.

For the VA to cover a veteran in a nursing home, they need to be a VA provider facility, which is usually one per county in Ohio.

She said 35 residents at Washington Square are veterans.

Jason Menz, a case manager who works for supportive services for veterans’ families, encourages the veterans he is in contact with to attend programs and events.

“I encourage veterans to come here and talk to other veterans. By coming here myself, I can listen and gather information to share with veterans that can help them.” Menz said.

Terry Austin of Champion, a veteran, said he wanted to attend to see what the cafe was like and to get information.

The next cafe is set for 2 p.m. Aug. 14.

For information on the free program, call 330-899-0180 or email jbower@ghospice.com.