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New nonprofit connects veterans to resources

Examiner-Enterprise - 9/30/2020

As a U.S. Navy veteran, Bartlesville native Sharon "Lynn" Reese understands the needs of those who have left the military and started a new life as a civilian.

"I am a 100% disabled veteran. I'm deaf in one ear and have had a couple of other things over the years," she said. "So I just try to reach out and help. We kind of work off what the veterans need and what they tell us what they're in need of."

After retiring from the military in 2018, Reese was named executive director of the Westside Community Center.

But she felt the pull to focus her service to all veterans, service members and their families in Washington, Osage and Nowata counties.

Last October, Reese formed Veterans Connection Organization to connect veterans in those counties with services through local partners like Agape Mission, Mary Martha Outreach, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts and VFW Post 344.

"I'm a sailor. When I joined the military in '84, I became a community servant, so I'm just here to serve," she said.

VCO is a one-stop resource to provide quality readjustment services to help smooth veterans' transition to post-service life.

Reese also is a certified and accredited Veterans Service Officer to better assist veterans in getting the services they are entitled to through the U.S. Veterans Administration.

Reese has worked at Tinker Air Force base and at the VA's homeless vets program.

"Unfortunately, a lot of veterans don't want to be part of a home due to whatever. They prefer to being out there and sleeping and being by themselves," she said.

Yet Reese is dedicated to identifying and providing tailored services to disabled and homeless veterans as well.

"We are a new entity, small but impactful," Reese said. "We're just trying to spread the word and ensure that our veterans don't get left behind."

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