Program areas at Lake County Veterans and Family Services
The Drop-In Center" is the home base of operations. The Drop-In Center provides a safe place for Veterans and their families to meet and receive help from other Veterans and from Peer Support Specialists. Social enrichment programs such as equine therapy, family outings, private fishing, art therapy, story telling, Black History month celebration; MLK Day activities; Highway Cleanup projects; forest preserve cleanup; Veterans History Project and four weekly Cup-A-Joes to promote Veteran social activities. All are offered to further support the quality of life for Veterans.
Other program activities - Public awareness: The Ruck March is an annual fundraising event that serves the dual purpose to raise funds and to increase awareness to reduce Veteran suicide and to honor all Veterans and Service Members lost to suicide. Organization staff also present programs to various associations and the general public.
The Vets in Need Program establishes a special financial assistance fund to provide discretionary financial assistance to any Veteran and/or current active duty Service Member and their families. Support provided includes food, shelter and other immediate necessities. Additionally in 2021, we started a Food Insecurity Program to distribute food, food cards, gas cards, pre-made meals, sundries, pizzas, cleaning products and cooking instruments to those service member families impacted by COVID pandemic. All support is distributed with our local partners who record every donation: VA, DOD, IDVA, Veterans Closet, Catholic Charities, Kenosha VAC, and more.