With LOR's support, Valley Veterans ReCreation is creating a resource center for veterans in Monte Vista. In addition to offering essential services and other support, the facility will act as a hub for social events and outdoor activities, connecting veterans with each other and the community.
Monte Vista is home to many veterans, as is the broader San Luis Valley. But it can be difficult for those who have served to access resources and services and find the local support they need. Valley Veterans ReCreation is one group trying to fill the gaps, aiming to meet the unique needs of rural veterans by providing local resources, hosting outdoor activities, and building a supportive community. Since its founding, members of the nonprofit have been developing a series of programs that include outdoor events like archery and fishing as well as coffee socials. The group has also been working to create a local resource center that can serve as a hub for veterans. The problem? Getting an outdoor recreation program and resource center up and running are expensive, which is why members of Valley Veterans ReCreation reached out to LOR for support. “Isolation is our new enemy now that we’re not in the service anymore,” says Craig Rauwolf, executive director of Valley Veterans ReCreation. “Too much time on our hands and not enough hobbies has been the downfall of most rural veterans, so we’re trying to solve that.” Watch the video below to learn how Valley Veterans ReCreation is strengthening the well-being of Monte Vista’s veterans with a little help from LOR.
Filmed and edited by Mike Borjas and Kim Marquez, Kim Marquez Photography.
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