MINUTES for 05-22-2018 FINAL - Laserfiche WebLink

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Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes May 22, 2018 Page 10 OVS Counselor Roddy Sueoka stated tonight they have the community meeting would the group like OVS to put it out and try to identify veterans who are at the community meeting? Debra Lewis would like to put it out that we're trying and there are other things that are being triggered that can be resources for veterans and veteran families and to try and identify those who have been affected. They may be getting housing and other things but there is another tiny pot of money that maybe we can give them a little relief. DAV was offering up to $500 per person, so that's another source of funds. But if we don't know who the people are, we can't help them. Vice -Chair Brulee-Wilson asked if she goes on her personal Facebook page and she is connected by liking a page, if she puts on her page to get in touch with her if anyone has been affected by the lava, then what does she do with that. Debra Lewis answered, please provide contact information such as phone number, email and a tiny bit of information. Isaac Nahakuelua added and proof that they are a veteran. Debra Lewis reinforced, yes, veteran service. The highest criteria is they need to have their DD214. If we know they were a significant other of a veteran, we'll try to find funds for them. For some of the funds there are some latitude. Other funds from headquarters are more restrictive. The basic things are, do they have a roof over their head, do they have food, are they in distress. I know between this committee we can figure out if we know a little bit more we can connect them. I know we have the resources, I just haven't figured out how we make it easy. If you don't attend these meetings the information is not being filtered down and we all know a lot of veterans don't want to ask for help. Deb is tracking and charting and although she can't be the do-er she can connect them. Chair Doolittle asked if there was any motion from the committee to move forward with action. Emile Wery commented that this is all relative to the veterans roganizations. Debra Lewis finished that this is an age old problem were trying to get a handle on the 18,000 Veteans on the iland and if they're in need how do we really use that network to help veterans. Isaac Nahakuelua proposed that this is where we need to get the Mayor to approve of this issue as an important one and get it on to the agenda. Debra Lewis stated it leads to looking at other issues affecting Veterans besides the cemeteries. That's a huge reinforcer of that piece. There are resources that can help the community and citizens of this county and it's extremely difficult right now to do that.