Newly formed Vernon Veteran Society ready for action on housing needs

Photo: Vernon Veterans Society

Finding homes for Vernon veterans is just one of the needs the newly formed Vernon Veterans Society plans to fulfill.

The society has been five years in the making, and after a weekend meeting to establish its board, members are ready to go public.

According to an advance press release outlining the society’s mission, “After five years plus of planning, preparing and strategizing, and attempts at engaging for the needs of veterans, a small band of spread out veterans and like-minded community members finally found their way to the same table.”

Society chair Terry Rysz says “we have been able to get seven very qualified people to become directors to establish our board, but there is room for two more.”

Rysz is hoping the two empty spots will be filled by people with a special skill set.

“We’d like to see some legal and accounting help, if we could,” he says.

The purpose of the society is to work with government, contractors and developers to "assist in the placement of veterans into the home ownership or rental market."

The society will try to obtain grants and fundraise on its own.

VVS also plans to partner with other societies and service providers to allow access to financial literacy training and other life services to Canadian Forces, RCMP or First Nations who are either veterans or serving members.

The society’s logo was designed with careful consideration of the work it plans to carry out.

Rooftops symbolize "safe shelter." The poppy, maple leaf, and eagle feather represent Canadian and First Nation contribution and importance.

The raised hands symbolize the many "helping hands" it will take to effectively bring change.