Raimondo Celebrates the Opening of the new Office of Veteran Affairs

Raimondo with Rhode Island veterans at the opening of the Office of Veterans Affairs
new headquarters.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Governor Gina M. Raimondo ushered in a new era for Rhode Island
veterans with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Office of Veterans Affairs’ new
headquarters
and resource center today in Warwick. She was joined by Director of Veterans Affairs,
Kasim Yarn, and other state and local officials.

The new office and resource center will serve as headquarters for Director Yarn
as he continues to use his collaborative, action-oriented leadership style to listen
to the veterans’ community while finding solutions to the challenges veterans face.
The new location will also serve as a proactive, central hub for veterans, a place
they can go to access earned benefits. The center will be staffed by two case managers
and an implementation aide.

«This office opening is about Rhode Island recommitting ourselves to our veterans,»
Raimondo said. «We are showing our veterans community – with action – that we are
grateful for you, we are grateful for your service, and we are here for you. This
is about ushering in a new era of responsiveness and support – with a new website,
a new office, new case managers – because that is what our veterans need and deserve.»
The opening of the office is the latest in a series of efforts by Raimondo to redouble
the state’s commitment to those who have served. The case managers will serve as
dedicated advocates to veterans, helping them navigate the claims process, learn
about education and financial assistance, and get access to training, employment,
housing, and other available resources.
«Over more than 25 years, my military experience has taught me that successful
leadership
depends on the ability to listen and to act,» Yarn said. «During my recent tour
of all 39 cities and towns in Rhode Island, I’ve heard a constant refrain: that
we need a central hub for our veterans, a place where they can get questions answered
and help accessing benefits. This new office and our hiring of case managers sends
a message that we are here for our veterans.»
The office’s location is convenient and easily accessible. Located at 560 Jefferson
Boulevard in Suite 206, there is easy access from I-95. It is conveniently located
on a RIPTA bus route and is only a couple of blocks from the Warwick train station.