By ACSET Community Action Agency

In the United States, Armed Forces Day takes place on the third Saturday of May each year; this year it will be observed on Saturday, May 20. Armed Forces Day was created in 1949 to pay special tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces, recognizing their service and sacrifice for the country.

According to 2015 estimates, there are more than 31,000 veterans living in Kent County. Of these, 7% are unemployed and 7% are living in poverty. Kent County is home to several organizations that can provide services to veterans who may need assistance.

ACSET Community Action Agency focuses on meeting emergency needs such as utility and food assistance, home weatherization, medical insurance enrollment and tax preparation. Low-income veterans who are residents of Kent County may qualify for assistance.

West Michigan Works! offers specialized services and priority of service for eligible veterans and their spouses. To see if you qualify, visit a Service Center and tell the staff you are a veteran or spouse of a veteran.

West Michigan Veterans Coalition is a collaboration between local organizations who provide support, information and resources to veterans and their families. They can connect you with local services to assist with education, employment, healthcare, quality of life and more.

Heart of West Michigan United Way 2-1-1 is a database of thousands of local services. Veterans can search their online data base or dial 2-1-1 to be connected to veteran-specific services in Kent County.

Kent County Veterans Services assists veterans in our community in getting benefits they are entitled to at county, state and federal levels. They can also connect veterans to other resources in the community.

Your Community in Action! is provided by ASCET Community Action Agency. To learn more about how they help meet emergency needs and assist with areas of self-sufficiency, visit www.communityactionkent.org.