LEST WE FORGET 11 WHAT DOES THE LEGION DO? Veterans | Remembrance | Community The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) defines a Veteran as any person who is serving or who has honorably served in the Canadian Armed Forces, the Commonwealth or its wartime allies, or as a Regular Member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), or as a Peace Officer in a Special Duty Area or on a Special Duty Operation, or who has served in the Merchant Navy or Ferry Command during wartime. The RCL serves Veterans and their families by providing support, referrals, representation, advocacy and financial assistance free of charge, Legion member or not. The RCL is made up of three essential pillars – Veterans, Remembrance & Community Saskatchewan Command is the Saskatchewan division of the Royal Canadian Legion. The Saskatchewan Command head office is located in the city of Regina and works closely with its Executive Council, 165 Provincial Branches, members and communities around the Province to support Veterans, Remembrance and Community. “Remembering yesterday. Serving today. Adapting for tomorrow.” Veterans Veterans are encouraged to reach out to their local Legion Branch for any kind of assistance or support that is needed. This can refer to something physical, medical, environmental, emotional, psychological and much more. Through the Branch, the Veteran will be put in contact with a Branch Service Officer. Any information shared with a Service Officer is and always will remain confidential. Veterans can also contact the Provincial Service Officers (PSO) located at the Sask Command’s head office in Regina at 306-525-8739 or toll-free 1-866-471-8387. Service Officers conduct needs assessments based on each Veteran’s individual situation. Next a plan is developed working with the Veteran to help him or her move forward in their life. This often includes a community and team effort of businesses, health professionals and other service organizations. A plan could include a Service Officer helping a Veteran fill out paperwork or make a claim through Veterans Affairs Canada, connecting a Veteran to health or mental health professionals, help with moving or finding housing, financial assistance with bills or groceries. They also help to provide essential items that can improve a Veteran’s quality of life such as hearing aids or a wheelchair. A Service Officer can simply be a friend to talk with. Provincial Service Officers will liaise with Veterans Affairs Canada to assist Veterans in receiving benefits they are entitled to. Our service is free of charge and available to all Veterans whether they are a Legion member or not. Here are the Programs that are currently available through Saskatchewan Command; Leave the Streets Behind – This is the Legion’s National homeless Veterans program. The program’s mission is to reach out to homeless Veterans and those at-risk of homelessness and provide them with immediate financial assistance and support. It also connects them with social and community services to establish a long-term solution to meet their needs. Sask Command works closely with Veterans Affairs Canada, shelters and community organizations to get Veterans off the street and into temporary and/or long-term accommodations. Through the Poppy Fund, housing support is provided through financial assistance for items such as first and last month’s rent, rental arrears and furnishings. continued ... urably
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