Seminar 3- Social Issues & Cultural Awareness

Albuquerque, NM 

November 29- December 1, 2023

Photos of interest during our time in Albuquerque, NM

I was assigned to write about the Veterans Integration Center of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Here is the newsletter that I wrote. No photos for this assignment. 

Did you know that the Veterans Integration Center(VIC) is not associated with the actual U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)? It was a big surprise to learn that the VIC is a unique non-profit organization and a resource for Veterans and their families in New Mexico. According to the VIC website https://www.nmvic.org/who-we-are, this program was founded in 2005. On November 30, 2023, the New Mexico Agricultural Leadership (NMAL) Class 16 explored the VIC located at 1335 Ortiz Drive SE, Apt 3, Albuquerque, New Mexico (NM). There are two additional VIC locations in Albuquerque (Central and Wyoming) and one in Alamogordo, NM. Our host, Lisa Martinez, explained her leadership role in the VIC. She gave us a tour of the VIC apartment-style compacted office while explaining how the organization mainly assists in finding homes for Veterans and their needs which are determined after an intake interview.

Veterans can be either men, women, or with their families. The ages of Veterans vary. The youngest Veteran they assisted is 20 years old. The oldest Veteran they assisted is 90 years old. The VIC assists Veterans of World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Iraqi wars.  The most important qualification of the VIC is that the Veteran must have good military status. The three main disqualifications from the VIC are 1) dishonorable discharges, 2) arson charges, and 3) sex offenders.

The VIC does not determine Veteran’s healthcare. The VA determines the eligibility of VA healthcare. In general, most Veterans must have acceptable VA. Veterans do not need to be approved for healthcare through the VA to participate in the VIC. Here are some situations that may exclude Veterans from VA Healthcare: 1) dishonorable discharge, 2) served less than two years in the military, 3) served in the National Guard, 4) discharged for behavioral issues, 5) court martial discharge, and 6) absent without leave.

Our discussion with Ms. Martinez and her team was about Veteran's social issues, addictions, homelessness, and employment that they face daily. It was sad to hear that some of the Veterans trickle in with other problems, such as mental issues and substance abuse. We also discussed where the funding comes from to keep the VIC in operation. On an average year, they estimate assisting 250 Veterans. Most of the VIC funding comes through donations and the liaison. There is little funding from the state of NM. Grant per diem comes from the VA. Bernalillo County and the City of Albuquerque have assisted with funding the purchase of land and construction of the future home of the VIC.

The highlight of the discussion was when Class 16 asked if any of the Navajo Code Talkers had come through the VIC. They said no, but they do get many American Indian Veterans who apply for the VIC resource. NM consists of pueblos, tribes, and the Navajo Nation. This is what makes NM rich in culture. This was the purpose and the theme for the NMAL seminar three−Social Issues and Cultural Awareness.  

As we continued to talk with the VIC team, we tried to connect more funding opportunities to the VIC. Each member of Class 16 had ideas to contribute to the VIC team. As future leaders, we departed knowing that there is more work that needs to be done for our brave Veterans. Some questions remained unresolved. Why are Veterans stereotyped as homeless? One VIC team responded, “In order to house a Veteran, we need to deal with the mental and social issues before housing.” Why does Congress continue to send more money and U.S. troops across the seas to fight in a war we are not a part of? Some of that money could go toward the Veterans here in America, such as the VIC. It is a complex situation to resolve not only for the Veterans but for everyone to integrate that our Veterans are treated poorly after any service in the military. To all our U.S. Veterans, thank you for your services!