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18 HE ALTH • Spring 2022 June 16 th , 2022 - 7:30 am to 4 pm at DCU Center LC W W WORCESTER WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Presenting Sponsors Keynote Sponsors Sponsorship opportunities still available. Tickets on sale NOW! www.worcesterwomenleadership.com an event of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Claire Wasserman Educator, Author, & Founder of Ladies Get Paid Luvvie Ajayi Jones New York Times Best-Selling Author, Podcast Host & Professional Troublemaker Veterans Inc., veterans who are addicts can find help and support, but the journey is complicated. "The most acute needs must come first," said Blanchard. "Using evidence based practices we help veterans get back on the road to recovery. It's hard to work on other critical needs like employment or housing when someone is suffering from withdrawals." Blanchard admits that stigma still plays a large role in many getting the care they need. "There is sadly still so much stigma," Blanchard said. "Addiction is a chronic brain disorder but there is still a misunderstanding that it is a moral failing. So some sufferers may internalize this stigma and feel some guilt and blame when they should not." Speaking from experience For many other veterans who are trained to focus on the good of a unit, they feel guilt or shame when they lose a job, need extra support, or find themselves homeless. Reaching out for help is a difficult first step for some veterans. However, just as the sacred commitment of the U.S. military goes – "I will never leave a soldier behind" – the same rings true at Veterans Inc. with many proud to have called 69 Grove Street their home. "I'm twice lucky in one year," said Carl Munz, U.S. Army veteran. "Working with their employment training they put me in touch with a telecommunications company and I got a job before I even had a chance to get an apartment." Munz got injured on the job but secured housing within just a few months of having arrived back to Veterans Inc. "Don't feel ashamed," said Munz. "Everybody needs help and we're all in the same boat." Since arriving a few months ago, Munz has helped set up a music group for residents who want to learn how to play music. "I'm a drummer and we got some other people who enjoy playing instruments," said Munz. "So we set up a little band. It's great therapy." Veterans Inc. runs a food pantry on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month from 9 am – 1 pm. For more information about Veterans Inc. and its services visit: https://www.veteransinc.org/. In 2021, Veterans Inc. helped 750 veterans seek treatment for substance abuse. Continued from previous page H PHOTO | EDD COTE