Submitted by City of Lacey
The City of Lacey and Thurston County Board of Commissioners finalized an agreement to establish funding support and dedicated program resources at the Lacey Veterans Services Hub. The Thurston County area is home to more than 32,000 veterans, and the City of Lacey boasts more active duty service men and women living off JBLM than any other city in the South Puget Sound Area.
Under the agreement, the City of Lacey will commit $125,000 to the Lacey Veterans Services Hub in 2017 and 2018 for facility management and operational costs. In turn, Thurston County will provide $30,000 annually during the same period to cover the facility’s annual lease expense. Thurston County will also provide on-site staff to administer the Thurston County Veterans Assistance Program.
“Thurston County is a key partner in the future of the Lacey Veterans Services Hub, and their financial investment recognizes their commitment to South Sound veterans,” stated Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder.
Since the Lacey Veterans Services Hub’s opening, more than 3,000 client appointments have been booked, including 350 for housing assistance. The operation offers five key “pillar services,” including employment, housing, nutrition, education, and healthcare. In addition, the Lacey Veterans Services Hub has a partnership with the Tacoma and Federal Way Veterans Center to provide behavioral health resources to veterans.
“As a veteran myself, I understand how important it is to have resources available to veterans and their families in our community,” said Commission Chair Bud Blake. “We are proud to be providing services to those who have served the country for us.”
The Lacey Veterans Services Hub is located on the Lacey campus of South Puget Sound Community College, 4232 6th Avenue SE. The community college provides a favorable lease rate in support of this veterans initiative.
More than thirty organizations serve veterans and their family members at the 4,500-square-foot facility. Some of the providers staff permanent “satellite” offices on site, while others occupy rotating office space one or two days a week. Still others offer regular training or counseling sessions in the facility’s multi-purpose room, and some have referral relationships to provide programs and services off-site.
For information, contact Scott Spence, Lacey City Manager, at sspence@ci.lacey.wa.us or 360-491-3214; or Ramiro Chavez, Thurston County Manager, at chavezr@co.thurston.wa.us or 360-754-2964.
