Naperville Responds For Our Veterans and Naperville Township hosted “Naperville Joining Forces” today to bring together the large group of local organizations that provide services available to veterans in the community.
According to emcee Mike Barbour, Naperville Township Veterans Advocate, who kept the program moving forward at an informational clip, the purpose of the forum was to make all service providers aware of other contacts that offer help to active duty military, veterans and their families at little or no cost.
Organizers said they are attempting to create a web of local services through federal, state, county, township, city offices and nonprofits in the areas of education, employment, food housing, legal, healthcare and benefits and compensation.
With 29 local organizations and roughly 50 individuals in attendance, a representative from each group was given two minutes to provide a brief overview of the services they offer. Supplemental materials along with a directory of participants were available for take-away to help each group connect with the ways they all help veterans and active duty military in the area. In addition, networking was featured after the presentations for more Q&A about the programs.
“We had 29 speakers and we were so pleased everyone just hung out after all the presentations and that they picked up information,” said Jan Barbour who is the Veterans Community Relations and Senior Services representative for Naperville Township.
“Help is available for veterans. We just need veterans to ask for help,” added Jan Barbour, noting there is no shortage of organizations that want to help. “Veterans simply need to keep their discharge papers handy. Family members need to assist, too. Plus, so many places and businesses offer discounts as soon you say you’re a veteran.”
The success of this first Naperville Joining Forces Breakfast will be a catalyst to host the event annually. Already organizers are considering adding legal services and leisure activities to the mix for next year.
For more information, contact Mike Barbour at (630) 240-1645.
Links to Participating OrganizationsÂ
Naperville Responds For Our Veterans www.nrfov.com
Veterans Advocate Naperville Township www.napervilletownship.com
Lisle Township www.lisletownship.com
Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital   www.hines.va.gov  (708) 202-4487
Veterans Assistance Commission of DuPage County / College of DuPage www.cod.edu/admission/veterans (630) 942-4037
College of DuPage: Veterans Services Department / www.cod.edu / (630) 942-4037
DuPage County Vet Center www.va.gov
Naperville CARES www.napervillecares.org
City of Naperville Fair Housing Advisory Commission www.naperville.il.us (630) 305-5313
Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation www.napervillehomeowners.com
Naperville Senior Home Sharing www.seniorhomesharing.org
Military Resource Club at Devry www.devry.edu
American Legion-Department of Illinois www.va.gov (312) 980-4266
VFW Department of Illinois Service Officer www.va.gov  (312) 980-4284
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs www.illinois.gov  (630) 495-9460
VFW National Home for Children  www.vfwnationalhome.org  (630) 420-9820
AllenForce: All Veterans All Eras www.allenforce.org
Community Career Center www.communitycareercenter.org
WorkNet DuPage www.worknetdupage.org
Connected Warriors  (Free Yoga)  (630) 418-0244
Team Red White & Blue  www.teamrwb.org
Operation Support Our Troops America  www.osotAmerica.org
Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry  www.loaves-fishes.org
Dryhootch of America  www.dryhootch.org
Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans  www.mshv.org
360 Youth Services  www.360youthservices.org
Women Veterans Program  www.va.gov  (708) 202-2075
Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873
The Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 is located at 908 W. Jackson Ave., near downtown Naperville along the Riverwalk. Members of the VFW Post 3873 and the American Legion Post 43 hold their regular meetings at the post.
The spacious banquet room also is available for rental for special events, service clubs, family reunions and business meetings, etc.
In addition, the annual Friday Night Fish Fry is held during Lent at the VFW. The final 2014 Friday Fish Fry is from 5-8PM April 18.
For more information about the VFW, visit www.napervfw3873.org.
