Service as therapy
Student vets learn about the therapeutic benefits of community service
Porterville College (PC) Veterans appreciation week continued Tuesday with a workshop focused on the many benefits of volunteer service for those transitioning from the military to civilian life.
The workshop was titled, “Give More: The Value of Community Service for Returning Veterans,” and was held at PC’S Student Center Conference Room, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The PC Veterans Resource Center (VRC) invited Virginia Osborne, a licensed clinical social worker, to speak about the hardships veterans face after serving our country and how volunteer opportunities can help those struggling to reintegrate with society.
“I’ve been doing other workshops mostly on social issues, and then they asked me to do something positive for the veterans rather than talking about suicide and other negative things, which is unusual for a social worker,” said Osborne. “Volunteering helps them reintegrate into society and helps with their mental health.”
Osborne explain veterans are community assets and have unique skills,
experiences and passion for serving others.
“It makes you all America's greatest national resource,” said Osborne to veterans in attendance.
She mentioned veterans are more likely to volunteer in their community because they have a strong desire to be part of a team.
Some of the challenges Osborne said veterans face after their service are feelings isolated and disconnected from society, which may make returning soldiers desperately miss the sense of connection and closeness they felt with their comrades.
“Some veterans lack familiar structure, it's difficult to recover from the trauma of war and have Post-traumatic Stress Disorder,” said Osborne. “Some have employment concerns and have difficulties adjusting to a different pace.”
So why volunteer? Osborne said volunteering boosts self esteem and expands connections.
“Volunteering helps build social ties and strong safety nets and builds a greater sense of trust and self esteem. It increases your social and relationship skills with others,” said Osborne. “It makes you happy, it has a positive effect on mood and it combats depression.”
Osborne talked about many volunteer opportunities for local veterans, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, American Veterans (AMVETS), A Combat Veteran's Hope, Wounded Warriors, Helping Hands, Habitat for Humanity, Gleaners, local animal shelters, Porterville Library Literacy Program, Sierra View Medical Center, Porterville Adult Day Care Services and Operation Lend a Hand.
Something unique Osborne showed the audience was a video called ‘Change Your Narrative' by Team Rubicon, a team of veterans who went overseas to help third world countries. But when disaster began to strike on American soil, they decided to come back to the United States to help rebuild communities affected by fires and hurricanes.
“Giving your time gives you a sense of accomplishment, builds strong connections to others, and can decrease symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, social anxiety and anger problems,” said Osborne. “It gives purpose and a sense of belonging to a group with common interests.”
Osborne also talked about the skills veterans can bring to volunteering like communication skills, flexibility, teamwork, integrity and problem solving.
“I loved that presentation, it was beautiful,” said Tim Johnstone. “I know there are a lot of areas that people need volunteers. Volunteering for the community impacts everybody.”
Apart from Osborne's presentation, Jefferey Lukens, District 6 Commander part of the AMVETS Post 1893, spoke about his future endeavors regarding AMVETS.
Bobby J. Powell, instructor of Building Trades, also spoke about his classes and his willingness to help others — especially veterans — by teaching his electrician skills.
“Volunteering can advance your career. It provides an opportunity to use developed skills from the service and acquire new ones,” said Osborne. “Volunteering allows you to try out a profession and provides job prospects.”