The Audubon Area RSVP was awarded a $7,000 augmentation grant in the fall of 2012 from the Corporation for National and Community Service to organize two Veterans Resource Fairs/Stand Downs. As per the 2010 U.S. Census, veterans comprise 10% of the total population aged 18+ in two of our largest counties in our service area, i.e. Daviess and Henderson.
Representatives from numerous veterans’ organizations were consulted as to potential needs or gaps in services in order to best approach programming opportunities. Results indicated an apparent lack of awareness of available community resources that aid with transition into civilian life, as well as, those supportive services that offer assistance to active duty, guardsmen, reservists and military families faced with deployment. Organizations involved with the planning process included, but are not limited to: • Department of Veterans Affairs • Daviess County Veterans Association • VFW Auxiliary • Marine Corps League • Vet Center of Evansville, • Marine Corps Reserve • Veterans Affairs Representative at Owensboro Technical and Community College • Kentucky National Guard • American Legion • Disabled American Veterans • Office of Employment and Training

Twenty new RSVP volunteers were recruited from September 2012 to March 2013, as per the augmentation grant, and were instrumental in the events’ implementation. The volunteers registered participants, served a wide variety of delicious refreshments, helped publicize and promote the events, entertained children while parents spoke with exhibitors, secured inkind donations, and assisted with set up and clean up before and after the events.

Nearly fifty vendors, representing veterans’ benefits, employment, educational, financial literacy, mentoring, housing, physical and mental health, etc. participated. An ROTC unit from one of the local high schools was present to welcome each veteran and family member.

Print and broadcast media embraced the events. RSVP staff appeared on two regional TV talk shows and live interviews were carried on eleven local radio stations. Two major regional newspapers printed articles before and after the fairs. As a bonus, the Audubon Area RSVP garnered excellent publicity for our RSVP as a whole.

A total of three hundred six (306) individuals attended. Ninety six percent (96%) of the 183 completed surveys indicated they increased their knowledge of community resources as a result of the Resource Fair.
Success stories included: The VA initiated application for one gentleman to finally receive the medals he earned in Viet Nam. One couple learned they were eligible for the Homestead Exemption Act and will be getting $1,000 back on their property taxes. Several applications to retrofit bathrooms for handicapped accessibility were processed by a local plumbing contractor, to be funded through the VA. One gentleman will be fitted for a hearing aid. Another man discovered he is eligible to draw unemployment benefits, after being laid off from his employer.

Plans are underway for next year’s events!