Luzerne Times

NANTICOKE - Rep. Alec Ryncavage (R-Luzerne) has announced the launch of an expanded service for local veterans in Plymouth. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Mobile Vet Center (MVC) will be making monthly visits to offer free outreach and counseling services to veterans and their families.

The MVC, as a component of the Scranton Vet Center, aims to make mental health and various other services more accessible to veterans. It will be stationed at a municipal parking lot on Route 11 and Main Street in Plymouth from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, weather permitting.

"The vehicle provides another layer of support for veterans and is intended to help make them aware of resources that are available," said Rep. Ryncavage. "By adding this MVC, veterans now have an opportunity to meet with a counselor. We have veterans in our community who need someone to lend an ear in their most vulnerable times, and that's exactly what this program will do."

The MVC features two private counseling rooms, satellite communication and internet connectivity with VA Medical Centers, videoconferencing and telehealth capabilities, and three flat-screen televisions for training and educational videos. It is also equipped with a wheelchair lift and is handicap-accessible.

In addition to the MVC, Rep. Ryncavage's office in Nanticoke already offers a monthly veterans' assistance day that aids veterans on a range of issues, including disability rights, benefits, and healthcare. The office will continue to host a monthly outreach program that provides opportunities for American Legion representatives to meet with veterans, their spouses, and dependents to assist with compensation, pensions, death benefits, education, and healthcare.

"The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs sponsors the MVC program to reach veterans in underserved areas," said Rep. Ryncavage. "We want our veterans to know about and have access to the many programs and services that are available to them."

The MVC program has over 80 centers across the country, including several in Pennsylvania. Veterans who need individual counseling can schedule an appointment by calling 570-344-2676, although appointments are not needed for the Mobile Veterans Center.

The MVC visit schedule is subject to change, and for more information, individuals can contact Rep. Ryncavage's Nanticoke office at 570-902-4082.

This is an important step towards providing comprehensive support for local veterans and their families. With the introduction of the Mobile Vet Center, veterans in Plymouth now have easier access to vital services and resources to address their mental health and other needs. The efforts made by Rep. Ryncavage and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to expand services for veterans in underserved areas are commendable, and will undoubtedly make a positive impact on the lives of those who have served our country.