To further provide services for Aurora area Veterans, Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post #84 (Post 84) is a partner with Illinois Joining Forces (IJF) and the Dunham Foundation along with the Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) and other area stakeholders to offer free veteran peer supporter training to Aurora area veterans to serve fellow veterans. Post 84 with JIF are recruiting veterans to be professionally trained as community veteran peer supporters.
“This is an essential program to serve Aurora veterans in their time of need,” stated Commander Mike Eckburg, Vietnam veteran, Navy corpsman. “We see veterans struggling every day, and they need to know that we are here to help them. We are building a support network with Illinois Joining Forces, the Dunham Foundation and the Kane County VAC and other Aurora area stakeholders to ensure we do all we can to prevent veteran strife.”
Community veteran peer supporter training is for 10 Aurora region veterans to serve their brothers and sisters in arms. Based on the principle of shared experience, peer support has proven to be an extremely effective way of assisting fellow veterans make transitions into civilian life and address the many challenges they face along the way.
• The course: Three days of virtual veteran peer supporter training provide by in which veterans will learn: problem solving, effective listening, the art of asking questions, facing our fears, cultural Competence, understanding intervention strategies, the importance of accomplishing goals. One additional day of mental health first aid training will be offered as part of the overall training.
• The requirements: Prior military service. Internet connection to support Zoom video conferences (webcam), computer, laptop, or smartphone with the functionality to gain access to a Zoom link.
• The commitment: Applicants must be available for all-day training on each day: November 18-20, be willing to serve fellow veterans in the Aurora region for a period of 12 months after completion of training and dedicate at least 10 hours a month to veterans seeking peer support.
• How to apply: If you would like to receive training to become a community veteran peer supporter, please complete the application posted on Post84.com, or IllinoisJoiningForces.org, or you can contact IJF by E-mail at info@illinoisjoiningforces.org with peer training in the subject line.
“I would encourage veterans to sign up for this important training,” Commander Eckburg said. “Continue the mission, take care of our battle buddies, and create the camaraderie we all had while we served is what we hope to accomplish while helping veterans who may be facing their darkest hours. We want to be there for them.”
—Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84