San Quentin’s veterans organization has adopted changes designed to welcome all military veterans, not just those who served in Vietnam.
Part of that effort changes the group’s name from Vietnam Veterans’ Group of San Quentin to Veterans’ Group of San Quentin.
“We see the group as not only veterans that served with honorable service, but citizens of the country they love who are trying to earn a chance at reintegration into American society to live the freedom they fought for,” said Chairman Chris Schumacher.
“We see the group as not only veterans that served with honorable service, but citizens of the country they love”
When formed in 1987, the intention was to serve all honorably discharged veterans of any branch of the United States armed services from any era.
It continues to be the vision of the VGSQ to bring structure and personal accountability into the lives of its members. Outreach has become an integral part of the VGSQ’s efforts. The intent is to reintegrate veterans into society and give veterans the opportunity to serve their communities inside and outside prison.
Since 1990, America has experienced other military conflicts such as Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Iraq and Afghanistan, and now battles terrorist organizations such as ISIS/ISIL, as well as Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram in Africa.
Outreach includes these activities:
1) The Holiday Toy Program, which receives Christmas gifts for children from the Marines’ Toys for Tots program.
2) Operation MOM, which packs care packages for troops overseas.
3) The Veterans’ Scholarship Award, which gives money to children of veterans for college.
4) The Veterans’ Issues Group (VIG), which helps incarcerated veterans with a variety of issues including but not limited to PTSD, substance abuse, addictions and trauma.
5) Tabs for Tots, in which the VGSQ collects tabs from aluminum soda cans, which are then mailed to the Ronald McDonald House.
If an incarcerated veteran wants to learn more about VHV or if they or their family may qualify for additional benefits, please contact:
Mary Donovan, Executive Director of VHV
PO BOX 432
San Quentin, CA 94964
mary@veteranshealingveterans.org
The VHV website is veteranshealingveterans.org