Santa Maria Library unveils new Veterans Resource Center

Veterans in the Santa Maria area have a new place to turn for help when it comes to getting back to civilian life.

“They can get help writing their resume, trying to find a job, trying to find housing – it’s really a vast source of resources. [I’m] really excited about it,” explained librarian Joanne Britton.

With the help of a $5,800 grant from the State Library Foundation, the Veterans Resource Center became a reality.

The library hopes this grant will coincide with another grant the city has received recently, which aims to get more people off the streets.

“These two grants mesh together very well because we want to get people off the streets, we want to get them housing, we want them to be back on their feet and I think a lot of people don’t realize the level of resources that are out there for them,” Britton said.

Many veteran volunteers have been offering up their time as well.

“You know I got a lot more out of the Army than the Army got out of me but that’s not the case for a lot of veterans. I feel since I didn’t have it really hard, it’s really important for me to help my friends who did have it kinda rough,” said Army veteran and volunteer, Ann Crutcher.

“This will be a door opening for them, not only here but other places as well,” Army veteran Leonard Galbert said.

These services will be available 25 to 30 hours a week at the library and if there isn’t someone at the center, the librarians can help out as well.