Officials with the Pennyrile Area Development District announced this week that all nine Pennyrile Senior Centers have been certified as “Veteran Friendly Senior Centers,” after successful completion of specialized training.
The certification, officials added, reflects the centers’ dedication to supporting veterans and their families, while strengthening their role as welcoming, resource-rich spaces for veterans across the region.
The initiative was made possible through collaboration with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living, the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, PeADD and Pennyrile Allied Community Services.
These senior centers have committed to creating an environment where veterans feel recognized, appreciated and supported, and staff from each center received training focused on enhancing awareness of veterans’ unique needs, as well as expanding resources and programs to support them.
Because of the certification, centers will provide enhanced services like:
+ resource navigation: assisting veterans in accessing benefits and services.
+ specialized programs: connecting veterans with mental and physical health programs, financial guidance and opportunities for camaraderie.
+ and community outreach: building partnerships with veteran organizations to broaden resources and raise awareness of veterans’ contributions.
The Pennyrile Area Development District is the regional planning and development organization for west Kentucky’s nine-county Pennyrile region, including Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Muhlenberg, Todd and Trigg counties.