The Peer Support Group (PSG) operates out of the drop-in resource center in McHenry. The PSG is made up of three veterans who are certified peer support specialists, and welcome all veterans, families, and visitors through the drop-in resource center. The PSG members are available for phone calls or meetings with veterans and their families who may have questions about assistance, mental health or recovery concerns, housing resources, or simply want to have coffee with another veteran.
The PSG veterans offer a compassionate, listening ear to each individual and assists in identifying and locating solutions to challenges. Sometimes the solutions are within the agency services, and other times referrals to our partners in the community such as the Veterans Assistance Commission are needed. The site maintains a food pantry for veterans and their families in need, as well as a once-per-month visit from the Northern Illinois Food Truck. Donations of essential household items are also on hand for veterans that find themselves newly housed and in need of the basics.
The PSG partners provide group opportunities for veterans to meet, and will also refer as needed to counseling staff for individual, marital, and family support.
BSW and MSW veteran students are a part of the agency, and provide outreach case management and peer support to veterans in senior living arrangements as part of the peer support group