Veterans can get help with counseling, jobs at ECC Sept. 30

Veterans and family members in need of support services and employment assistance are invited to Elgin Community College Tuesday, Sept. 30, to visit the Department of Veteran Affairs Mobile Vet Center and the Veteran and Family Resource Fair. Both will be on the ECC Spartan Drive Campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

Two Mobile Vet Centers will be in the parking lot directly across from the Spartan Events Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The centers are among 50 units that travel nationwide and provide readjustment counseling services for veterans who served in combat and their families. They are equipped with a satellite dish that connects to communications and audiovisual equipment, six phone lines, a fax line, notebook computers, four encrypted computer lines and Wi-Fi gear. Two dividers separate the motor coach into private counseling rooms.

The centers also are capable of responding to emergency situations, as it comes with a medical exam table, a defibrillator, first aid kit, beds, a shower, refrigerator, microwave and other amenities useful in severe situations.

Also that day, ECC will hold a resource fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Building J Events Center. The event will feature veteran-friendly employers from the state of Illinois, federal agencies, local government, and veteran-owned companies.

Representatives from various legal services, county agencies, senior and homeless services, and education will be on hand to assist military families and supporters of veterans with their needs.

The event is sponsored by ECC's Veterans Support Team, Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission, Gail Borden Public Library, and VFW Post 1307.

For more information, call Anitra King, ECC veterans' coordinator, at (847) 214-7531.