Ongoing Events for Veterans
Below is a listing of ongoing events that occur regularly and may be of interest to veterans. There is also a listing of upcoming, periodic events that occur only one time. To submit an event for consideration, please email MDVS@vet.state.ma.us
Free Acupuncture in Framingham
Date: Saturdays, 10:00 AM till 12:00 PM
Location: St. Andrew's Church (3 Maple Street, Framingham, MA). This free community style acupuncture walk-in clinic for veterans and their families may help with sleeping problems, irritability, and general stress relief. The clinic is offered by volunteer, licensed acupuncturists and the Veterans’ Acupuncture Care Metrowest (VAC Metrowest). For more information, call 508-626-0896or http://vac.anotherexample.com.
Free Acupuncture in Watertown
Date: First Saturday of the month, 12:00-2:00 PM
Location: Acuptuncture Clinic of Watertown (10 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA). Free acupuncture for veterans. For more information, call Jessica Sollee, Lic. Ac. at 617-335-2148 or www.aachealing.com.
Ongoing Wellness Program
Date: Saturdays, 12:30-2:00 PM
Location: 191 Main Street, Charlestown, MA. There and Back Again offers a free, ongoing wellness program to help combat veterans manage the symptoms of PTSD. The program focuses on yoga, meditation, and alternative therapies. For more information and to enroll call 1-800-311-0187 or email slynch@thereandbackagainnlaw.org.
NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program
Dates: 12-week class, beginning Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 7:00-9:30 PM
Location: West Roxbury VA Hospital, Building 3, Room 2B100 (1400 VFW Parkway). This free 12-week class is for family members, partners, and friends of individuals with mental illness (i.e. major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder, and co-occurring brain disorders and addictive disorders). The classes will help attendees understand and support individuals with serious mental illness. The course is taught by a team of trained NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) volunteers. Registration is required: call 617-522-7439 or email mzanger@comcast.net.
Dial-a-Lawyer for Veterans
Day and Time: Mondays, 3:00-5:00 PM
Phone Number: 617-338-0572. Volunteer attorneys from the Massachusetts Bar Association offer free legal advice to veterans every Monday by phone.
Support Group for Women
Day and Time: Thursdays, 1:00-1:45 PM
Location: Bedford VA Building 4, 2nd Floor Conference Room (off the dining area). This is an open group and all active duty and veteran women are welcome. For more information, please call the Empowerment Center at 781-687-3113.
Vet-to-Vet for Women
Day and Time: Thursdays, 1:00-2:00 PM
Location: Jamaica Plain VAMC (150 S. Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA), 4th Floor Conference Room, C-12. This peer-lead support group is open to all women veterans. Refreshments will be served. For more information, please call 857-364-6396.
Yoga for Veterans and Spouses
Day and Time: Thursdays, 1:10-1:50 PM
Location: Conference Room A, Basement Floor of the Jamaica Plain VA Hospital (150 S. Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA). This free class is offered for veterans and their spouses. The health benefits of yoga are immense. Bring a mat or two throw blankets and wear comfortable clothes. No reservation required; just show up. For more information, contact Ann Breslauer at yoga_for_us@yahoo.com or call Mary Peak in the Volunteer Office (857-364-4112).
Operation Recreation
Day and Time: Wednesdays, 6:00 PM
Location: Building 2, Library on Bedford VA's main campus (200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA). This peer-lead recreation group for OEF/OIF veterans provides an informal way for veterans to attend sporting events, museums, movies, and other recreational activites together at low or no-cost. For more information, contact Chris Maddeford (781-687-3249 or chrismad1382@gmx.com ). This group is sponsored by the Bedford VA Peer Advisory Committee.