PA group offers free, comprehensive resources to veterans

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Danielle Smith – Keystone State News Connection

A Pennsylvania nonprofit is working to provide essential services to veterans and active-duty military personnel.

Pennsylvania is home to more than 700,000 military veterans.

Logan Spiewak, executive director of the Boots to Health Foundation in Mechanicsburg, said the group’s mission is to support local veterans with a holistic approach to help them enhance their physical, mental and spiritual health. The intake process starts with a comprehensive health assessment.

“Our program is three months long, consists of personal training, one-on-one personal training, small group training for veterans, and we give veterans custom meal plans as well,” Spiewak outlined. “Then we offer a weekly Bible study for veterans that are interested in that component as well. And the program is completely cost-free.”

He explained evaluating each person’s health, range of motion, flexibility and mobility helps them customize a program to address any physical limitations and nutritional needs. The goal is to build a strong relationship and provide ongoing support, even after the program ends.

Spiewak emphasized the importance of connecting veterans to resources, as many returning from service often face challenges. He noted some encounter mental and physical health issues, difficulty finding employment, and housing instability.

“We catch them when they come out of the military, to help these veterans,” Spiewak stressed. “We do serve some veterans that are going through drugs and alcohol addiction, and recovery and stuff like that. So we really meet these veterans where they’re at, personally.”

Pennsylvania also provides free resources to Veterans via the PA VETConnect program, which aims to help identify veterans’ needs and connect them to relevant resources.