News & Press

Community Wellness: The 'Right Door' for veterans is Ionia County Veterans Services Office

 

The Right Door for Hope, Recovery and Wellness has partnered with the Ionia County Board of Commissioners and the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency to establish an office at The Right Door that is designated solely to serving veterans and their families. It's called the Ionia County Veterans Services Office.

 

By Robert Lathers, LMSW
CEO, The Right Place for Hope, Recovery and Wellness

Posted Jul. 22, 2016 at 2:46 PM 

 

The Right Door for Hope, Recovery and Wellness has partnered with the Ionia County Board of Commissioners and the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency to establish an office at The Right Door that is designated solely to serving veterans and their families. It’s called the Ionia County Veterans Services Office.

The Ionia County Veterans Services Office is located at The Right Door’s main facility at 375 Apple Tree Drive in Ionia. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

This initiative was begun by Ionia County Administrator Stephanie Fox and U.S. Army Colonel (Retired) Tim Loney, who is the West Michigan Regional Coordinator in Region 4 for the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. Loney has more than 28 years on active duty, served 11 years in Europe and Asia and was deployed overseas during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The purpose of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is to: n Advocate for and on behalf of veterans and their families; n Create a “no wrong door” customer service culture (thus the Right Door is a natural partner); n Provide the advice and assistance veterans need.

The Ionia County Veterans Services Office is going to be a site for multiple veteran services programs. The Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Veterans of Foreign Wars have already assigned staff to the Ionia County office.

A ribbon cutting for the new office, held on July 20, was attended by Ionia County commissioners; 64A District Court Judge Ray Voet, who oversees Ionia County Veterans Treatment Court; and representatives from Veterans Affairs. Ionia County Dave Hodges of Belding, who also is a veteran, gave the keynote address.

Commissioner Hodges told attendees that there are 4,600 veterans living in Ionia County. The Ionia County Veterans Services Office will be able to better coordinate the services they are eligible for.

It is important to serve veterans because they’ve stepped up to serve their country, in their daily life and potentially with their life, Commissioner Hodges said.

The Right Door for Hope, Recovery and Wellness has been and continues to be committed to reaching out and serving all members of the community, and especially veterans.

The phone number of the Ionia County Veterans Services Office is 616-775-1002. In addition, the national Veterans Crisis Hotline is 1-800-273-8255, press 1. The website for the Michigan Veterans Affairs Office is www.michiganveterans.com.

Robert Lathers, LMSW, is the CEO of The Right Door for Hope, Recovery and Wellness, formerly Ionia County Community Mental Health. His email address is rlathers@rightdoor.org. He welcomes your comments and questions. If you have a mental health emergency, call 911 or our 24-hour crisis line at 1-888- 527-1790. Visit The Right Door online at www.rightdoor.org and find us on Facebook. The Right Door in Ionia is now open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.