Veterans lounge opens in Mesa to provide support

Apr. 16—Military veterans now have a dedicated event space in Mesa where they can find resources to help them heal or transition back to civilian life.

The Azura Veterans Coalition, formerly Mesa Veterans Resource Center, last week opened the Wellness Lounge and Venue at 165 N. Centennial Way, Suite 101/110 and will be open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday to provide veterans what a spokesman called "a supportive environment."

"This is a space for veterans who just need somewhere to talk and come back to the breath," said Nicole Pogue, coalition executive director and third-generation Navy veteran.

"The Wellness Lounge is going to utilize support, education and opportunities from Azura and other veteran-oriented organizations to make that mental health connection to help all veterans recalibrate and rise no matter where they are on their path."

"The Wellness Lounge and Venue will act as a safe space where veterans can attend support groups and workshops addressing a variety of topics," he added, noting it will also be a hub for East Valley veterans and beyond to come for game nights, presentations, self-care activities and more.

It will also provide additional opportunities to fulfill the Azura Veterans Coalition's mission of providing comprehensive services to support the diverse needs of veterans and their families.

For seven years, the coalition has offered comprehensive resources and access to benefits assistance, employment support, housing and rent assistance, transportation assistance, financial and legal guidance, addiction support, and more.

According to the Housing Assistance Council, there are approximately 857 homeless veterans in Arizona. One of those veterans found support and services through the coalition when his situation became unbearable.

"He had no family in the area when he showed up at the Arizona Veterans Coalition office," a spokeswoman said. "His wife had passed the night before and the veteran was suicidal. Staff was quick to provide help, getting a clergy member on site within an hour and getting David into temporary housing that day.

"They also got him set up with a caseworker who was able to get him the mental health resources he needed to begin the healing process."

The veteran, who declined to be identified, has since moved but returned last week to thank the coalition "for making me a priority and getting me the help I needed.

"I wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for you."

The Wellness Lounge and Venue is the most recent of several initiatives to improve the lives and outcomes for veterans in the East Valley. Other means of support include trauma-informed care and the recent formation of the East Valley Women Veterans group, which brings women veterans together in a supportive and uplifting environment.

"We are veterans helping veterans, and there is a huge community of allies who want to support these local men and women in need," Pogue said.

Information: azuravets.org.

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