by Don Mooney 4-25-2024
Memphis, TENN—“Equip God’s people and empower the community globally” is part of the mission statement for Riverside Baptist Church (affectionately known as the The River), located in southern Memphis, Tn, has historically served the community since 1874. The past two days the church building was transformed into a command center with a similar mission-equiping under represented West Tennessee veterans with long-awaited VA benefits.
The benefits seemed to be the priority for the more than 900-plus veterans, each day, that blanketed the The River campus at 3950 3rd Street. photo by Don Mooney
The two-day, no cost, in-person event is an effort of the Economic Development Initiative (EDI) that delivers direct services to veterans. Of course the end goal is to speed up the benefits process for the veteran in real time. EDI events offer holistic wrap around of services associated with benefits. Career training and guidance, a career fair, information about benefits, mental and physical health care options, spouse and caregiver resources, hands-on help filing claims, and much more.
D.C. staff member assist a swell of veterans with proper forms. photo by Don Mooney
Facing (l-r), EDI officials Scott Posti, Cheryl Rawls (c) and Charles Moore Jr address staff. photo by Don Mooney
THE DATA DOESN’T LIE
Shelby County is home to 50,000 veterans and doesn’t have the component of a regional office. Although it has a medical center the county lacks accredited Veteran Service Officers. Therefore the problem points to Memphis-area veterans struggling to get connected. Chery Rawls, Executive Director of the office of Equity Assurance for Veterans Benefits explains the EDI mission in simple deliberate terms, “EDI it’s actually one of the warm partnerships that we have with the White House going into underserved populations and being able to offer a warm handshake with that community.”
Executive Director for the Nashville Regional Office Benefits Charles Moore Jr, the son of a proud veteran, points out the disparity in Memphis in basic mathematical terms. “Out of the 50,000 veterans in Shelby County about 24% of these receive benefits. That is a very startling low number as compared to other counties in Tennessee, with smaller veteran populations, I’m thinking about Montgomery County which is up where Ft. Campbell is, they got about 30,000 veterans, where about 50-60% of those veterans receive benefits.” Statistically speaking, compounded with the large turnout, there’s an obvious disparity that points to the problem being as simple as black and white.
Unexpected number of veterans showed up for assistance reflecting a need in Shelby County. photo by Don Mooney
THE MEMPHIS PROBLEM
The massive turnout, the lack of benefits to a specific underserved community seemingly validates the issue EDI is addressing. Maybe why Memphis has the largest turnout so far. ” 800 or 900 people yesterday and probably that many or more today, chimes Moore Jr. Moore specifically points out the largest turnout for a non-regional office – which is where the money is!
Organizers and stakeholders agree to one fact…there aren’t enough Veteran Service Officers (VSO) in Shelby County and no one is dealing with that issue.
Memphis native and Nashville Regional Director Charles Moore Jr responds to veteran at Memphis Summit. photo by Don Mooney
Though the unexpected massive turnout for day one caught the host off guard, the second day flowed much better. Scott Posti, acting Deputy Director for the Office of Outreach, Transition and Economic Developement in Washington D.C. admits were always learning from these events.
The turnout on first day was so massive local radio station WDIA made an PSA that the event was at capacity. photo by Don Mooney
Touching Families
The executive team offers that follow ups are an important component to events such as these. “This is just a warm handoff so to speak. We plan to revisit the area in about eight to nine months for further evaluation. Again in 18 months to make sure that in addition to benefits, connections with holistic resources such as healthcare, family caregivers and mental health resources are in place,” indicated Rawls.
The next event is scheduled in two-weeks in Little Rock, Ark.