Santan Sun News
The Jewish War Veterans Copper State Post 619 has lined up speakers for its meeting today, Dec. 19, and next month.
Today at 10 a.m., Tess Mosko Scherer, executive director of the Arizona Art Alliance, will discuss how therapeutic fine arts help veterans deal with the wounds of war, namely post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
Mosko Scherer has a diverse career in the arts spanning more than 30 years. She began as owner and director of Scherer Gallery for 23 years and exhibits nationally, coaches and mentors artists and is active in the Arizona art community.
The AZ Veteran Art Program, which is managed and coordinated by Alliance volunteers, began with the determination to help reduce the military’s suicide rate of 22 per day.
AZ Art Alliance, founded by former naval officer and artist Rita Goldner in 2013 with 16 veterans has grown to 12 locations providing access to a wide range of professional artist instructors and serving over 4,500 men and women veterans.
The December meeting will take place in the Poolside Card Room at the Oakwood Country Club in Sun Lakes.
At 10 a.m. Jan 16, Joselyn Wilkinson, administrator of the homeless veteran program for the Arizona Department of Veteran Services will speak.
Arizona is in the top three of fastest growing states in the country. With this, accompanied by inflation, comes an increase in rental properties and a significant lack of affordable housing. Wilkinson said, “Currently, Maricopa County is at a 97 percent occupancy rate and we are short 250,000 housing units in the county.”
“In addition, one of the top barriers we face in the housing crisis is race equity. Our job is to analyze data to discover racial disparities and barriers with people of color being housed.”
The January meeting will take place in the Poolside Card Room at the Oakwood Country Club in Sun Lakes.
Bagels, lox, coffee and “meet and greet” start at 9:30 a.m. There is no charge but to partake in the food, a reservation is required by Jan 14 by emailing joytoyspartonos@aol.com.
Jewish War Veterans is the oldest active national veteran organization in continuous operation in America, with more than 400 posts around the country. Members & nonveterans represent a wide range of religious affiliations. Support is provided to Arizona veterans of all religions and beliefs.
JWV Post 619 members participate in philanthropic activities to help Jewish and non-Jewish veterans. During the past 25 years, this Post has led a wide range of fundraising activities, including poppying at supermarkets and the Mesa Market Place, and most recently, an online auction, “A Hand Up 4 Vets.”
Money raised from these activities enables the Post to fund parties at the US Veterans Home and VA Hospital, refurbish rooms at the Arizona State Veteran Home and support hospitalized, homeless and at-risk vets.
For additional information about JWV activities or membership, please contact Jr. Vice Commander, Elliott Reiss, (480) 802-3281, ElliottBarb@q.com.
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