Crucial assistance for veterans working at Salinas Valley State Prison and Correctional Training Facility arrived last month with the Mobile Veterans Center (MVC), a converted recreation vehicle. In turn, CDCR staff and incarcerated population raised funds to benefit the community.
Staffed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, MVC provides space for confidential counseling at no cost to veterans or their families.
“It is a privilege to coordinate the MVC’s visit,” said Sgt. Darrius Galloway who was stationed briefly in Korea while serving in the United States Army. “The nearest Veterans Administration center is over an hour away, and MVC provides veterans an opportunity to hear about benefits they are eligible for receive.”
The MVC services include:
- Counseling for depression
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Psychological effects on military sexual trauma (MTS)
- Offering educational material and existing services to veterans.
“Our staff are family and have served our country with dignity. It is time for Salinas Valley State Prison to serve them. Staff work hard with long hours and were provided an opportunity for in-person assistance by the MVC,” said Salinas Valley State Prison Warden Trent Allen.
Warden Allen presented a donation of over $1,000 to Monterey County Chairman Tony Virrueta and two executive board members. The donation will go toward the 13th annual Monterey County Veterans Day parade. The funds were raised through incarcerated food sales.
Story by Todd Javernick, Public Information Officer
Office of Public and Employee Communications