|
View as Webpage
June 2025 Newsletter
Letter from the Director
Summer is here, which means more veterans and their families are relying on our services. We’re happy to report that we are now fully staffed with four Accredited Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) handling claims. Our next priority is to continue reaching out to the community and raising awareness about the services we offer - free of charge.
This month, we sent letters to all local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) posts in Kent County. Our goal is to connect with their post commanders and leaders to ensure they know we’re here to serve them—and so they can help spread the word about KCVS to other veterans. We’ll also be sending letters to all Kent County employees who are veterans, so they know we’re here to assist them as well.
|
We have also attended multiple events recently, including Grand Rapids’ 175th birthday celebration downtown. VSO Jeremy Binder and I spoke with many people about KCVS, including some who are new to the city and county. We handed out approximately 250 firearm cable locks in hopes of preventing suicide among our veterans. We have many more events planned for this summer. You can see a full list on our website calendar.
Ryan Grams
Kent County Veterans Services Director
|
Dental Program Reaches Capacity
Our 2025 grant funding to My Community Dental Centers (MCDC) has been committed through the remainder of this fiscal year. The partnership between KCVS and MCDC provides free dental services for veterans and their spouses, surviving spouses & life partners in Kent County. As of mid-June, we have served 181 people and MCDC is no longer accepting new patients for 2025.
"This partnership isn’t just about restoring smiles, it’s an opportunity for us to show our gratitude and respect to those who have made immense sacrifices for our nation," said Dr. Deborah Brown, CEO of My Community Dental Centers who is also a veteran. "We are excited to continue serving our Veterans throughout the remainder of 2025 and into 2026."
The program will return for 2026 and those who qualify are encouraged to visit My Community Dental Center's website for a list of participating locations.
|
New Partnership with Kent District Library
 A new partnership between Kent District Library (KDL) and Kent County Veterans Services (KCVS) is creating meaningful opportunities for veterans to engage with the many resources and benefits a KDL library card offers. "I think one of the most valuable things that a person can have is a library card," said Clyde Waltenbaugh, Branch Librarian at KDL's Spencer Township Branch. "It will get you more than a driver's license will, because you can learn anything to be anything." As a veteran himself, Waltenbaugh understands firsthand the critical role libraries can play in the lives of service members.
Below is a list of services that veterans may find helpful:
- An online list of community resources for individuals, families and children
- Access to printing documents for free at any KDL location with your library card. You can print 50 pages per week at no cost and additional pages are 10 cents each
- Ability to use computers with access to internet for free and can request the assistance of a library employee
Parade Season is Upon us
KCVS loved seeing so many people gathered for the Memorial Day parades in both Grand Rapids and Walker. We are now looking forward to taking part in the 4th of July parades in both Kentwood and East Grand Rapids on Friday, July 4.
Kentwood Parade Details: Start time is at 9:30am from Crestwood Middle School, travels south on Walma to Breton, turns north at the roundabout, east on 44th and ends at Crestwood Middle School.
East Grand Rapids Parade Details: Start time is at 12pm at the intersection of Sherman Street and Wealthy Street and continue east on Wealthy Street, turning left on Lakeside Drive and ending at Reeds Lake Boulevard.
We want to thank our staff that have volunteered to take part in these events with us and show our commitment to the community.
|
Join Us For Free Female Veterans Appreciation Banquet
More than 100 people have already signed up for our annual Female Veterans Appreciation Banquet on Thursday, August 14 at the Waddell Center in Grand Rapids.
The event honors the remarkable women in Kent County who have served our nation. This free event is open to all female veterans and anyone in Kent County who wants to honor them.
The evening will feature a full dinner, desserts, drinks, and special guest speakers. 13 ON YOUR SIDE anchor and executive producer Juliet Dragos, whose husband is a Vietnam War veteran, will emcee the event.
Registration is required and must be completed by July 31, 2025. Guests are welcome to bring family or friends to share in the celebration.
|
Work-Study Program at KCVS
We are seeking two student veterans enrolled at a college or university in Kent County for the fall semester to participate in our work-study program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Qualified applicants must live in Kent County, attend school in Kent County, and be available to work part-time with Kent County Veterans Services.
This is a great opportunity to earn money while completing your education. If you or someone you know is interested, please email us at kcvs@kentcountymi.gov and include 'Work-Study' in the subject line.
Substance Use Program Continues to See Success
This month, we received an update from one of our partners, Arbor Circle. KCVS provides funding to the organization to offer outpatient substance use counseling specifically for veterans in Kent County.
From the update, they reported that group attendance continues to grow each month. As an example, a veteran in the program celebrated four years of sobriety - just one of 57 veterans who received services from Arbor Circle in May. We thank the staff at Arbor Circle for their commitment to our veterans!
|
Upcoming Community Events
-
6/27/2025 from 11a-4pm: Grand Rapids Housing Commission: Health and Unity in the Community event at Campau Park (51 Delaware SW, Grand Rapids)
-
6/28/2025 from 12-4pm: Ashley Furniture's Annual Veterans Appreciation Event at Hudsonville Fairgrounds (5235 Park Ave, Hudsonville)
-
7/4/2025 at 9:30am: Kentwood 4th of July Parade
-
7/4/2025 at 12pm: East Grand Rapids 4th of July Parade
-
7/31/2025-8/2/2025 from 10am-5pm: Kent County Youth Fair (13801 Cascade Rd SE, Lowell Township)
-
8/14/2025 at 6:30pm: Female Veterans Appreciation Banquet (1115 Taylor Ave N, Grand Rapids)
-
9/11/2025 from 10am-2pm: Annual Homeless Veteran Stand Down (1222 Bradford Street NE, Grand Rapids)
|
