RILC Veteran Peer 2 Peer Program Celebrates Graduation of Two Peer Mentor Classes

RILC VETERAN PEER 2 PEER PROGRAM CELEBRATES THE GRAUDATION OF TWO PEER MENTOR CLASSES

Rockland Independent Living Center will celebrate the fourth and fifth graduating classes of the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program-Military Behavioral Health Training Program on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 9:30am. The ceremony will be held at Rockland Community College in the Veteran’s Lounge, Academic 1, Room 1109 with Rockland County Executive Ed Day, Clarkstown Supervisor and Former RILC CEO/ED George Hoehmann, Senator David Carlucci, Jonathan Barnwell RCC Coordinator of Veterans Affairs, Dr. Cliff Wood President of RCC, Major General Ferg Foley representing the Dutchess County Dwyer Program, and Rockland County Commissioner of Mental Health Michael Leitzes, all in attendance.

The goal of RILC’s Peer 2 Peer program is to match Veterans who have been through the training program with Veterans who have returned from service so they can take steps to reduce or even eliminate the negative impact that trauma-related symptoms have on social, occupational and family functioning.

“Matching program graduates with Veterans in need of support facilitates the healing process thanks to the immediate empathetic connection between both individuals,” stated Allen L. Hershman, PhD, PsyD and Clinical Coordinator for the Peer program. “While we can provide the training, it is their dedication to supporting other Vets and ‘leaving no man behind’ that really is at the heart of the success of this program,” added Hershman.

Meetings are free, confidential, and provide Veterans with a safe place to share in a non-judgmental setting. The program also offers services specific to women Veterans and referrals for a variety of services.

A total of 50 individuals have now been trained and local veterans are receiving assistance through the program. The program has also collaborated with other Dwyer programs across the state and is actively involved with Yellow Ribbon events. More information about how to get involved can be found at www.rilc.org or by calling 845-624-1366.

RILC Background

The mission of the Rockland Independent Living Center is to provide advocacy and leadership in the creation and development of an accessible and integrated community for people with disabilities, so that they may pursue lifestyles of their choice. More than half of RILC’s Board of Directors and staff are comprised of people with disabilities. In keeping with the agency mission of providing advocacy and leadership in the creation and development of an accessible and integrated community for people with disabilities, the Center has worked tirelessly to change systemic problems that can marginalize people, preventing independence and participation in the community. More information can be found at www.rilc.org.

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Photo Credit: Risa Hoag, GMG Public Relations