Joshua Parish discusses how his nonprofit organization helps ease veterans’ difficulties when accessing their benefits.
Listen to the interview on the Business Innovators Radio Network:
Joshua shared: “VETLIFE was born out of our own struggles after leaving the military. We became painfully aware of so many other veterans who were facing the same struggles. The large number of veterans unaware of benefits and the rising number of veteran suicides really bothered us, so we formed a nonprofit organization with the purpose of promoting a safer, healthier, and prosperous civilian lifestyle. This is how the name “VETLIFE” came to fruition. VETLIFE is about living your best life after the military. We provide veterans with a network of sustainable solutions and resources to improve the quality of civilian life.”
Veterans have worked selflessly to defend their nation and should be able to access the benefits they deserve easily. Unfortunately, many veterans face significant difficulties when trying to access the benefits that are available to them. There is a wide range of services offered for veterans, but navigating the complex bureaucracy can be difficult, especially for those unfamiliar with the system or who may suffer from mental health issues due to their service. Additionally, some veterans may struggle to document past service-related injuries or illnesses due to inadequate record-keeping during their active duty.
Providing adequate support for veterans should be a priority to recognize their service and commitment to the nation. To ensure that all veterans receive the support they are entitled to, community members and organizations need to help educate veterans about the services available. It is also essential that organizations and government agencies work together to streamline the process of applying for and receiving benefits, making sure it’s as easy as possible for veterans to access the assistance they need.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a range of services aimed at helping veterans access their benefits, including legal services, mental health counseling, job training, placement programs, home loan guaranty programs, educational opportunities, and more. There are also many nationwide organizations dedicated to assisting veterans with navigating the VA system to receive their benefits. These include national organizations such as The American Legion and Disabled American Veterans and local organizations such as veterans’ service offices, county veteran services officers, or state and federal veterans’ affairs agencies.
Although seeking assistance from these organizations can be beneficial for navigating the complicated system, it is also essential for veterans to build their knowledge about the various benefits available to them to make informed decisions about which programs best suit their needs. By educating themselves on the different options available through the VA, veterans can become more empowered to access the support they have earned and deserve.
About Joshua Parish
Joshua Parish is an Iraq War Veteran whose greatest passion is helping veterans when they transition into civilian life and giving them the best opportunity to be successful. Parish has over 15 years of experience working with local, state, and federal government agencies creating programs that have developed sustainable solutions, including Veterans Treatment Court, Transitional Housing for Homeless Veterans, and Veterans Transportation Initiative.
Parish Has been awarded the Community Leader Best of Michigan Award and the 2019 Veteran Hero Award. He holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Western Michigan Thomas Cooley School of Law. Parish is an avid golfer and enjoys spending with his wife and children.
Learn more: https://www.vetlifetoday.org
