Returning home from war can leave a veteran facing a myriad of issues to deal with upon their return.
For the next two months, the San Diego County Library (SDCL) will be hosting community discussions and providing resources to veterans, active duty military members and their families as part of the California Reads program 2014 theme of War Comes Home.
Saturday, the Imperial Beach branch is hosting a Military Housing Resource Fair to help military families navigate the finances of home buying.
“We are a military town,” said Angelica Fortin, program services manager for SDCL. “It’s important that we provide programs and services for all members of our community.
Fortin said according to the San Diego County Veterans Services office, our region is home to the second largest population of veterans in the country.
This Saturday’s event features sessions on credit management, home buying and Veterans Administration loans. People will learn how to build credit, reduce debt, improve their credit scores and learn first-time buyer strategies.
The resource fair is from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Marina Vista Community Room at the Imperial Beach Library, 825 Imperial Beach Blvd. It’s put on by the library, the Housing Opportunities Collaborative, VFW, Fleet Reserve and Fleet & Family Support Center.
SDCL received a grant from California Reads to host the series of events and conversations through November focusing on the book “What it is Like to go to War” by Karl Marlantes.
“We have a variety of programs scheduled that focus on services to veterans, military and their families,” said Fortin. “We have so many veterans living in San Diego County.Iit’s not just a conversation to have now with the book; it’s a conversation we need to continue having.”
Events range from author visits to community hero story times to finance management workshops.
“What it is Like to Go to War” is about Marlantes’ own experience of going to war and coming home from a tour of duty in Vietnam nearly 40 years ago. The Library’s Calfornia Reads website has a discussion guide, information about the author and book and a link to request the book or download the audio book version.
