“We had a small office in Holland that we shared some space with Public Health, so this will be the first time that we’ll have a dedicated space that will support the size of our staff and help us with the veterans.”
Jason Schenkel is Director of Ottawa County Veterans Services. He says the process of opening this center for the county’s nearly-12,000 veterans has been in the works for over a year.
“A space where we could meet with veterans; a private space where we can have critical conversations about their care, their mental health, their physical health, how we can help them financially if they have any issues and any needs, help with employment.”
The new center takes over a section of building at the Fillmore Street Complex in West Olive that formerly housed Ottawa County’s probate and family justice courts. A new Family Justice Center was built in May 2024 within the same complex.
Grand Rapids Congresswoman Hillary Scholten spoke at today’s ceremony.
“At a time when we are seeing services for our veterans cut back in Washington, D.C., something that I strongly oppose, it means so much to me to stand here and recommit ourselves to supporting those who gave so much for our freedoms.”
Funding for the $225,000 project comes from ARPA funds approved by the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners in November 2024. The facility is expected to open this fall.
