A new pilot program in Esquimalt aims to help veterans from the Canadian Armed Forces and their families transition back to civilian life.
Medically-released veterans at CFB Esquimalt now have access to the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre, where they can access information services, social work services and programs that focus on helping families through transition. Veterans will also have access to one-on-one support, if needed.
“Transitioning out of the military and into the civilian world can be both an exciting and challenging time for many military members and their families,” said Colleen Cahoon, the new veteran family coordinator at the centre. “The move from military to ex-military can represent a huge cultural shift. This program aims to help with that transition.”
That could mean providing assistance adapting to civilian life, helping to deal with a medical issue in the civilian world or finding the appropriate community resource for a member, Cahoon added.
Esquimalt is one of seven Military Family Resource Centres in Canada to participate in the program, funded by the federal government and Veterans Affairs Canada.
The pilot is open to anyone who was medically released as of Nov. 30, 2014.
For more information visit esquimaltmfrc.com.
