The Veterans Outreach Center is expanding its services with the opening of its Morale Center at its South Avenue headquarters Thursday.
The nonprofit’s president, Laura Stradley, says they’ve been putting the project together piece by piece for about a year and have recruited certified professionals to offer free haircuts, massages, and even chiropractic care for veterans. They’re also offering laundry services.
Stradley sees the project as a way to increase the number of veterans the center serves.
“Anybody can use it, regardless of their socioeconomic background, regardless of their gender or the amount of time they spent in the military, which branch,” said Stradley. “Our number one job here at VOC is not only to deliver on the programs and services that we offer but to give people hope again. People who have given so much on behalf of our country.”
The VOC received funds and donations from Home Depot, Lowe’s and other organizations, and about 80 volunteers helped renovate the space. The center’s hours will be synced with the outreach center to start, but Stradley hopes they can add hours in the coming months.
