Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

The Louisiana Delta Community College "Veterans Upward Bound Program" (VUB) is a federally funded TRIO program designed to motivate and assist qualified military veterans with the development of academic skills and other requisite skills necessary for acceptance and success in a program of post-secondary education. All services are FREE to eligible veterans. Undeterred by challenges of Covid-19, Director of the program, Dr. Gloria George, shares her vision with such infectious compassion, tenacity, warmth and embracing personality that before you know it you'll be asking what you can do to help. Funded to serve 125 veterans yearly, George has a superb staff who zealously assist in outreach to 12 parishes: Ouachita, Caldwell, East Carroll, West Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Richland, Tensas, and Union. These wizards of good will are: MSgt. Phillip Staten, ext. 9343; Ms. Brenda Sheppard- Nelson, ext. 9344; Mr. Paul Caliste, ext. 9345, Dr. Patricia Simmons, ext. 9345, and Ms. Crystal Owen, ext. 9345. All applicants must provide a copy of their DD214. This extraordinary program is chocked full of orthodox, creative, and innovative tools and support services for the sung and unsung hero veterans, among which are cultural experiences such as touring New Orleans, college tours, and end-of-year banquets which hopefully will resume soon. Per my interview with George, her vision to succeed is infallible and unstoppable. Always seeking new approaches to motivate veterans to be their best selves, she enthusiastically purchased 25 books of "From Sword to Pen" for their upcoming monthly veteran workshop focusing on coping with PTSD. Hopeful to host an in-person event, George and her staff are preparing to recognize the accomplishments of the VUB participants at the end of year banquet where none other than the incomparable author, Arthur Edwards, will recite and discuss excerpts from his coveted book, "From Sword to Pen". Remember to be kind to veterans and their families whether they are homeless or blessed to enjoy high profile stature. They are responsible for the FREEDOMS we enjoy! Please do your part in helping to recruit veterans for this invaluable program.