Veterans’ Services District Update for Bedford and Lexington

Submitted by Bedford Youth and Family Services

 In February Bedford and Lexington formed a district to better serve the veterans of both towns.  That plan was formally approved by the Selectmen from both communities as well as the Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services in Boston.

Lexington Veterans Service Officer Ryan Lennon serves as the District Director and a part time Veterans Service Officer (VSO) William Linnehan has just been hired to assist Lennon beginning April 23, 2013.

Linnehan will be primarily based in the Bedford office and will be available in the Bedford office Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A Vietnam veteran, Linnehan has a long history of career development work with veterans through the Massachusetts Division of Career Services and has a Master’s degree in Community Counseling and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

The Mission Statement developed for the new district is to support the veterans residing in our district by identifying veterans and their families in need of service and providing information and access to the services for which they are eligible under the law.

Goals and Objectives

1. To execute timely and accurate benefit delivery for all veterans seeking help from the Federal, State and Local branches of government
2. To provide dignity, compassion, respect and privacy to all veterans seeking assistance
3. To empower veterans through technology, information sharing, and networking; where they can assist themselves and their fellow veterans by connecting services to need
4. To continue the fight against homelessness and joblessness within the veteran community
5. To be honest and forthright with our veterans, researching the correct answer and providing results as quickly as accuracy allows
6. To see the office as a base of operations, not a home, bringing services to the veteran wherever they are whenever they need

Interviews for the part time VSO will be conducted in March with the person starting as soon as available.  Both Lennon and the new VSO will be employees of the Town of Lexington, with Bedford providing an annual stipend proportionate to costs.  There will be offices in both towns and regular hours of availability to match Town business hours.

Contact information for the Bedford Veterans agent will remain [email protected]

Or phone at 781-275-3218.

Updated information will also be posted on the veterans section of the BYFS website at www.bedfordma.gov/youth