New Mexico State Defense Force Chaplain Joseph L. Villegas, Sr., Memorial Day 2022 at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Courtesy/SFCC
SFCC News:
SANTA FE — Santa Fe Community College’s (SFCC) Veterans Resource Center (VRC) will host Veterans & Family Appreciation Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10 in the Jemez Rooms on campus at 6401 Richards Ave.
SFCC adjunct professor, Marine veteran and New Mexico State Defense Force Chaplain, Joseph L. Villegas, Sr., will give a keynote address as part of the opening ceremonies.
The free public event includes a resource fair with information on new benefits and programs for vets, veteran-owned business support, education benefits and veterans’ family services. There also will be information about academic programs and scholarships. Families are encouraged to attend.
“We’re excited to be able to offer this in-person event again to show the college’s support and appreciation of veterans and their families,” VRC Director Krystal Patton said. “Patton, a Navy veteran, understands veterans’ needs.”
Organizations and businesses interested in participating with an information table at the event can either send an email to Krystal Patton at krystal.patton@sfcc.edu or call 505.428.1305.
Some of the organizations that will participate:
- UNM Business/Education Outreach
- Horses for Healing
- Veterans Upward Bound- UNM Taos
- Santa Fe Vet Center
- New Mexico Workforce Connection.
At the Nov. 10 event, SFCC’s VRC will collect items for the Santa Fe Vet Center’s annual Stand Down event for the homeless, which will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 11 and 12 at the Vet Center at 2209 Brothers Road in Santa Fe. Patton encourages those who cannot bring items to the SFCC event to bring them directly to the Vet Center.
Items needed for homeless veterans for the Stand Down event:
- Sleeping bags
- Backpacks
- Non-perishable foods
- Winter clothing (gloves, socks, hats, scarves).
For more information about the SFCC’s services for veterans, email to krystal.patton@sfcc.edu or call 505.428.1305.
About SFCC
For more than 35 years, Santa Fe Community College has been the gateway to success for individuals and the community by providing affordable, high quality educational programs that serve the social, cultural, technological and economic needs of a diverse community. SFCC is designated a ”2019 Best for Vets” and a “2015 Military Friendly” school. The college serves more than 15,000 students per year in its credit, noncredit and adult programs. For further information, visit sfcc.edu or call 505.428.1000. Follow them: SFCC on Facebook, SFCC on Twitter, SFCC on LinkedIn.
