WINDHAM REGION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION

The Windham Region Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 public charity affiliated with The Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

Our Values

Collaboration-We hold the relationships and connections that we build with others paramount and we know it is our responsibility to build and sustain healthy partnerships that include multiple perspectives.

Integrity-In our line of work integrity is not an option but a requirement because those we serve trust us to help them, and we answer that call honestly and without personal gain.

Respect-This is crucial to our operation and is our foundation. We respect those we serve, our partners and communities who help us, and our teammates.

Empathy-This is what drives us, actively listening and showing our genuine concern to those we serve is what makes us so good at what we do.

Loyalty-We are united in our values and in our integrity with an unwavering commitment to our mission and to our team.

Hope-We believe that people are defined by their potential so we create an environment that cultivates a positive expectation of the future.

Excellence-We are committed to achieving the highest standards in performance, quality of work, and stewardship of relationships with our clients, our partners and our teammates.

Community:
We represent and support a diverse community of people with unique perspectives.

We believe all people deserve every opportunity to live with dignity and independence. It is our duty to deliver on our promise to always serve our community.

Our Services:
Eastern CT Veterans Community Center
Windham Region Veterans Coffee House (peer to peer support group)
Partnership for the Arts, History, Culture and Tourism
America Museum
Women's Leadership Council
VA Benefits and compensation claims
Suicide support group
Dementia/Alzheimer's/Parkinson's support group

PROGRAMS AT THE CENTER
1. Veteran Services
Every week a representative from the CT VA Healthcare has office hours to work directly with veterans and their family members to help them access veteran health benefits. Once a month a representative from CT Veterans Affairs also has office hours to assist veterans with compensation claims, accessing their benefits of service and explaining documents and communications. These representatives have direct access to the VA data systems and address issues and concerns immediately.

2. Windham Region Veterans Coffee House
This is a social meeting of veterans who served at any time held every Wednesday at 9:00 – 11:00 AM. Veterans create friendships, bond with one another and create their own support system. There are weekly guests who speak on a variety of topics including VA benefits, veteran related legislation, Medicare benefits, health and wellness, military history, Agent Orange and personal experiences.

3. Health and Wellness
These programs are designed to assist veterans only. Support groups are moderated by veterans whenever possible. We have a Health & Wellness RN that works in the center with veterans.
a. AA and NA support groups
b. PTSD and MDT support groups
c. Dementia and Caregivers support groups
d. Suicide Awareness
e. Problem Gambling Awareness & Prevention
f. Holistic Therapies such as Yoga, Massage, Reiki and Thai Chi
g. Blood pressure and wellness checks by an RN
h. Dietary and medication wellness
i. Onsight social support by CHR every Wednesday

4. Basic Needs Assistance
Trained professionals are able to assist veterans and their families with applying for social services such as energy assistance, energy weatherization, food assistance programs, CT Paid Leave and housing. We have computers and internet available for online applications and processes and can assist with DMV applications and forms, social security forms and other paperwork.

5. Technology Assistance
We work with several community businesses and experts to provide assistance to veterans on how to use the internet, navigate the VA system, operate their smart phones, use zoom and other virtual software to communicate with family members, learn to use special adaptive equipment like phones for the deaf, electric wheelchairs, home security systems, and medical equipment.

6. Exercise Programs
These programs offer an opportunity for veterans of all ages to stay in shape, sharpen their martial arts skills or learn and practice self-defense techniques. Our programs are created to help ALL veterans physically from an 89 year old marine recovering from open heart surgery to a 25 year old recuperating from limb injuries. We host several different types throughout the year.

7. Business Services
a. Entrepreneur Academy
Start Your Own Business classes are held monthly for veterans who wish to take advantage of their entrepreneurial spirit.
b. Business Mentors
Our business partners include SBA, SBDC, SCORE, WBDC and CEDF, all of whom work with small business owners to help them navigate through business ownership and grow their companies, as well as assist with funding opportunities.
c. Professional Development Workshops
Workshop and webinars designed to help small business owners tackle new technology, finances, HR issues, OSHA policies, state and local regulations and other business related topics, as well as personal growth topics.

8. Workforce Development
a. Computer Lab
We have computers and internet access for Veterans who need to look for employment, create a resume, take online classes and interview for jobs.
b. Professional Development Workshops
Webinars and workshops designed to assist Veterans with skill development and specific workplace knowledge and experience.
c. Department of Labor Veteran Assistance
We partner with a DOL Veteran Work Specialist to help place Veterans find jobs.

9. Advocacy
a. Legislative Breakfast
We host an annual Legislative Breakfast to get updates on Veteran related bills both at the state and federal level.

b. Legislative Agenda
We create a legislative agenda that focus on Veteran related issues that need to be resolved through legislative action at the federal and state levels.

c. Meet Your Candidates
During election cycles we host an event where Veterans can speak to and hear from candidates.

10. Feed Our Vets
Working with several food distribution programs and our partners, we provide weekly food boxes to any shut in veteran regardless of need. We have delivered hundreds of meals and personal supplies to both active service members and veterans. For those who have transportation, our Commissary is open to veterans and their families to shop for fresh and healthy food every Tuesday and Wednesday.

11. Visit Our Vets
Our spiritual counselor, pastor, and veteran volunteers visit homebound, ill and recovering veterans in our region to do wellness checks, offer them friendship, spiritual support and comradery, and make appropriate recommendations and referrals for services and programs.

12. Love Our Vets
Many of our veterans return home from service or are discharged from inpatient programs and need basic supplies for personal hygiene, pots, pans, utensils, plates, furniture, appliances, cleaning supplies, linens and clothing. We collect new and some used items for them to make their transition as easy as possible. We also deliver wheelchairs, ramps and home furniture.

13. Connect Our Vets
In partnership with the CT VA and the social workers in our region, we provide i-pads and internet service to those veterans who are at risk of suicide. These tools allow them to attend group sessions, visit with their therapists, social workers and doctors, keep them connected to their families and friends and apply for VA benefits and programs, as well as professional development courses and workforce assistance.

14. Communication and Awareness
a. Veteran weekly Newsletter
b. Veteran facebook page
c. Website
i. Listing of all Veteran related organizations and their services
ii. Resources for Veterans
iii. Veteran discounts
d. Congressman Courtney’s Veterans Council
e. Eastern CT Veterans Regional Committee
Monthly meeting to review new Veteran services, benefits and programs that includes Veteran related organizations, community leaders and veterans.

PROGRAMS OUTSIDE OF THE CENTER
HONOR THEIR MEMORY PROGRAM:
1. Memorial Cemetery Flags
Place flags on gravestones of all veterans in Windham Cemeteries each May and remove them in December, properly disposing of them.

2. Cemetery Colors
Maintain flag poles in each Windham cemetery, including solar lights on each pole, and replacing American and POW flags as necessary.

3. Veteran Status Upon Burial
Identify all veterans upon burial, keep records of them with cemetery records, install flag holder and mark their graves with flag.

4. Memorial Maintenance
Clean, maintain and repair all Veteran memorials in Windham including landscaping surrounding the monuments, in partnership with Windham Public Works.

5. Grave Restoration
Restore veteran graves that are damaged as needed and maintain those that no longer have families to care for them.

6. Wreaths Across America
Participate in the annual event honoring our fallen heroes by placing wreaths on their graves and holding a memorial service at the cemetery.

COMMUNITY MILITARY THEMED EVENTS:
1. Vietnam War 50th Commemorative Welcome Home Ceremonies
We are official partners with the Vietnam War 50th Year Commemoration Commission under the Secretary of the Defense and as such we host a minimum of two events per year honoring our Vietnam veterans, pinning them with official lapel pins and “welcoming them home.”

2. Memorial Day
We host a solemn ceremony where our fallen soldiers are remembered and honored.

3. Veterans Day Weekend Encampment
We host a formal ceremony in honor of all Veterans, bringing them together to share their stories and their lives.

4. Military Days
We recognize all significant military related days including Pearl Harbor Day, Armed Forces Day, Military Families Day, Women Veterans Day, etc. and bring awareness to the public of the significance and true meaning of these national holidays.