Resources
Veterans Service Organizations HerSPACE:
An Emergency and Temporary Home for Women Veterans (and their Children) By Joe Snowberger
photo credit: Nick Fewings, Unsplash
County Veterans Service Offices Connecting The Liberty Coast Veterans with their benefits Each of the seven counties on The Liberty Coast operate a Veteran Service Office. Staffed by certified and skilled experts, they do the important work of helping Veterans and their families apply for and access their earned benefits, among other services. Benefits include VA disability ratings, healthcare eligibility, GI Bill, education, vocational rehabilitation and employment programs. They also connect Veterans and their families with many other VA and community resources. Please contact your county office in advance to confirm walk-in or appointment-based services. Baker County Veterans Service Office Tony Esterling, Veterans Services Officer Located at 55 N. 3rd Street, A-6 Center Office, Macclenny, FL 32063, (904) 259-2516, CountyOffice.org (browse by office: Veterans Affairs Departments). Bradford County Veterans Affairs Barbara Fischer, County Veterans Service Officer Located at 925 North Temple Avenue, Suite E Starke, FL 32091, (904) 966-6385, Barbara_Fischer@BradfordCountyFL.gov St. Marys Veterans Field Service Office (Camden County) Roger “Steve” Futch, Veteran Field Service Officer Located inside the St. Marys VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic in the Kings Bay Village Shopping Center. 2603 Osborne Road, St. Marys, GA 31588, (912) 510-3440, Roger.Futch@VS.State.GA.us, Veterans.Georgia.gov/Locations/St-Marys. Clay County Office of Veterans Services Kimberley Glover, Veterans Services Officer Located in the Clay County Administrative Building at 477 Houston Street, 2nd Floor, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043, (904) 269-6326, Kimberly.Glover@ClayCountyGov.com, ClayCountyGov.com/Departments/Veterans-Services. Duval County Military Affairs and Veterans Department Rafael Santiago, Veterans Services Office Supervisor This large staff of specialized military and Veteran professionals are located in Jacksonville’s City Hall (St. James Building, Suite 175) in Downtown Jacksonville. Walk-ins welcome 8:00am-5:00pm, 117 West Duval St, Ste 175, Jacksonville, FL 32202, (904) 255-5550, VetsVCS@COJ.net. Nassau County Veterans Services Bob Sullivan, Veterans Services Officer Located in Robert M. Foster Justice Center, 76347 Veterans Way, Yulee, FL 32097, (904) 548-4670, BSullivan@NassauClerk.com, NassauClerk.com/Veterans-Service. St.Johns County Veterans Service Office Joseph D. “Mac” McDermott (CVSO), County Senior Service Officer Located in the St. Johns County Health and Human Services Building with service by appointment. 200 San Sebastian View, Suite 1400 St. Augustine, FL 32084, (904) 209-6160, SJCFL.us/VeteransServices. 14 | LibertyLifeMedia.Com | APRIL 28, 2021 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 15
In our very pro-military community where partnerships that support The Liberty Coast’s robust population of military, Veterans, and their families are very common, another collaboration has emerged to address a significant need. The following is a press release from April 8 that details this exciting alliance. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 8, 2021 Contact: Dee Quaranta, President/CEO 904-534-4738 dquaranta@forwomenvets.org Northeast Florida Women Veterans to Launch HerSPACE, an Emergency and Temporary Housing Project for Female Veterans (and their Children) Northeast Florida Women Veterans announced the launch of “HerSPACE,” an emergency and temporary housing project for women veterans (and their children) who are experiencing homelessness. Open House/Ribbon Cutting Ceremony is scheduled for April 15, 2020; at 10:00am. 1797 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL HerSPACE is being developed in partnership with St. Andrews Lutheran Church By The Sea in Jacksonville Beach. The church is donating the use of “The Lighthouse,” a four-bedroom, 3,000 square foot home on Beach Boulevard. Beginning this summer, the facility will temporarily house up to eight women veterans and their children while Northeast Florida Women Veterans helps them establish long-term housing solutions and a holistic approach to their wellbeing. “We are excited about this new project. We can now provide immediate shelter to women veterans in need and it’s what we have been praying for” said Dee Quaranta, President/CEO, Northeast Florida Women Veterans. Additionally, several local organizations are partnering with HerSPACE by donating items to provide all the comforts of home for its temporary residents, including: K9s For Warriors, Wounded Warrior Project, Nicholas J. Cutinha Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 1046), and Ms. Sal’s family. “We’re proud to extend our support to HerSPACE, a vital initiative that embodies our own commitment to providing support for veterans who need it most,” said Rory Diamond, CEO, K9s For Warriors. “We admire Northeast Florida Women Veterans for establishing what will become a valuable resource in our community for women veterans and their children.” “Wounded Warrior Project is honored to support Northeast Florida Women Veterans and the launch of HerSPACE,” said Lt. Gen. (Ret) Mike Linnington, CEO of Wounded Warrior Project. “We understand that the unique needs of women warriors require a full network of support and believe that this facility, alongside the other impactful programs offered through Northeast Florida Women Veterans, will further assist and empower homeless women veterans along their path to self-sufficiency.” Northeast Florida Women Veterans has long envisioned a facility to assist homeless women veterans as part of its mission to be the voice of women veterans and to assist them in their transition to the civilian community. For more information about HerSPACE, Northeast Florida Women Veterans, or to donate to this effort, go to our website at: www.ForWomenVets.org.
