Virtual Town Hall to Connect Veterans with Resources

AARP New Mexico is hosting a virtual teletown hall Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., connecting veterans across the state with resources.

“AARP has a long history of supporting Veterans, Military, and their families, including over four million who are AARP members today,” said Gary Williams, AARP New Mexico Associate State Director for Community Outreach. “We know they have unique challenges given their service to our country, so we want to connect them with as many resources as we can.”

“During the teletown hall we will discuss how to navigate changes at the Veterans Administration, particularly in light of COVID-19 as well as the resources AARP offers through its Veteran, Military, and their Families program. But most importantly, we want to hear from our veterans and their families and get any questions they might have answered.” Williams said.

“In honor of Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, we not only want to say thank you to our veterans but we also want to make sure they are being taken care of,” he said.

The discussion will include panelists Andrew Welch, Medical Center Director of the New Mexico Veterans Administration Health Care System and Steve Carter, Co-Director of AARP’s Veteran, Military, and Their Families (VMF) Program.

Steven Carter is a Senior Advisor for AARP’s Office of Community Engagement.  He is a leader of AARP’s Veterans, Military and their Families Strategic Initiative.  He also provides support to AARP state offices on local advocacy campaigns. Carter is the son of Vietnam veteran and career officer in the Unites State Navy; and has a son currently attending the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.

Andrew Welch was appointed Medical Center Director effective November 2014.  In this role, he is responsible for leading change, leading people, achieving results, business acumen, building coalitions, and providing healthcare services for more than 60,000 Veterans throughout New Mexico and 4 counties in southern Colorado.  He is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, and a VA Certified Mentor at the Fellow level.

AARP’s Veterans, Military, and their Families program offers free community programs and services on caregiving, re-careering, fighting fraud, and navigating service benefits, deals, and discounts. 

To join in on this free discussion register at https://vekeo.com/aarpnewmexico/#event-32627