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The 6-foot, 3-inch Army veteran works the room with grace, style and ease. He’s both networking with agencies and helping his friend find resources and opportunities. 

Vincent Strode and Johnnie Crook, both of East St. Louis, were two of many who attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center’s Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) Resource Fair on Thursday, Aug. 24 in Building B on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus (WHYHEC). 

“I was surprised at all of the resources available for veterans,” said Strode, a 73-year-old Army veteran and SIUE alumnus. “I mainly came to help my friend, Johnnie. I told him these days you need to find out how to get digital skills.” Strode earned a bachelor’s in sociology from SIUE in 2016. 

Eighteen veteran agencies and organizations participated in VUB’s second Resource Fair. 

“We wanted to connect veterans in the Metro East area with all different kinds of resources that helps veterans,” said VUB Director James Robbins, an air-force veteran who has worked serving veterans for more than 40 years. “Today, we have agencies and groups who can talk to veterans about housing, employment benefits and more. It’s a one-stop shop. Veterans can come in and take care of whatever needs they may have.” 

“We are here to help veterans who are looking for work or for those who have found work, but still need a little assistance,” said Vadi Dodge, employment transition manager of Missouri at Operation: Job Ready Veterans. 

“We’re at a very exciting moment right now,” said Nate Kennedy, community engagement coordinator for Veterans Community Project (VCP). “We are building a village of 50 tiny homes. These are transitional homes for veterans. We have 20 homes under construction right now, and we are hoping to house our first veterans in the fall.” 

Next to the VCP table is The Eagle’s Nest of St. Clair County at The Joseph Center. “We are a transitional facility for male veterans,” said Christopher Williams, executive director. “We empower homeless male veterans to self-sufficiency and economic independence.” 

Williams attended the fair to provide information about The Joseph Center, and he also brought three veterans: Kevin Dickerson, Navy; Lawrence Goodrich, Marine; and Paul Ferguson, Air Force. 

“I was glad I came,” said Goodrich. “I got a lot of good information that I will be able to use.”

Army veteran Johnnie Crook rode with his friend Vincent to investigate information pertaining to his eye problems. “I’ve been having problems with my eyesight for quite some time,” Crook said. “I talked to representatives from the Vet Center in St. Louis, and they told me how I could get some medical assistance.” 

“The fair helped me in my networking,” added Strode. “I’m always looking for ways to improve myself, stretch myself, do more.’’ 

After one-year of being drafted, Strode came home from the Vietnam war in 1970 with “no skills.” 

“All I could get was manual labor,” he said. Strode worked on the railroad, drove a city bus and over the road. He retired at the age of 62 and went to St. Louis Community College and took computer classes. He went on to receive an associate degree from Southwestern Illinois Community and two years later attended SIUE. Currently, he freelances as a landscaper and a security guard. 

“Veterans have fought for their country, and many times when we get out, it’s hard to find our way,” said Strode. “I’m glad for events like this, because we really need it.” 

Veterans Upward Bound assists with the pursuit of vocational/technical, associate and bachelor’s degrees. The program provides supportive services to military Veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserve to enable them to enter or re-enter a vocational/technical school or a two- or four-year college. The program is seeking veterans who want to further their education but need help navigating the enrollment process and finding financial assistance, those who need help in balancing work and family and those who are ready to take on the task of making life better for themselves and their families. 

Photos:
(L-R): Veterans Lawrence Goodrich, Kevin Dickerson and Paul Ferguson listen to SIUE Director of Military and Veteran Services Kevin Wathen. 

(L-R): VUB Program Directors Dominique Bibbs and Yasin Jackson speak with Ferguson (hat), Dickerson (middle), and Goodrich.