rap # 216 11/30/11

FREEHOLDERS RENEW PARTNERSHIP WITH VETWORK

The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders is expected to renew its longstanding partnership with Vetwork, a Lacey Township-based nonprofit group that assists local veterans.

"For 25 years Vetwork has been there for veterans in need," said Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry P. Little. "We are very pleased to continue this collaboration on behalf of Ocean County’s 68,000 veterans."

The Freeholders will award a $207,000 contract to the organization for counseling and related services in the coming year.

"Our veterans are fortunate to have Vetwork on their side," said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari. "For two decades Vetwork has helped honorably discharged veterans find jobs and adjust to their new lives out of the military."

Little said the county’s cooperative efforts with Vetwork extend beyond the contract.

"Vetwork has formed a strong partnership with our county Veterans Service Bureau to ensure that all of Ocean County’s veterans receive all the benefits that they have so deservedly earned in the service of their nation," Little said.

Ocean County is home to more veterans than any other county in New Jersey.

Among the other services provided by Vetwork are emergency shelter and food for homeless and disadvantaged veterans, substance abuse referral, transportation, subsidized housing and counseling for combat veterans.

Little recently attended a luncheon honoring Vetwork’s two-and-a-half decades of service to the community.

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