Group counseling sessions are finally here for veteran students to utilize.
The Veterans Resource Center has been holding group meetings from noon to 1 p.m. every Wednesday since the beginning of February. William Caperton, Ph.D., who works in the Student Health Center on campus, has been involved with the VRC since its inception.
“The main thing I’m getting involved with is this group, which is really a psycho-educational group,” said Caperton. “Each week we kind of have a different topic for the discussions. Things like study skills, military readjustment, military integration onto the campus, sleep skills, stress management and much more.”
Since last August, Moorpark College has seen the facilitation and growth of the center. It aims to be a safe environment where veteran students can gather and discuss common issues with each other, as well as academic and personal goals.
“It’s more of an informational group, sharing things that are working for you that other people might benefit from,” said Caperton. “It’s not a therapy group but we’re hoping eventually to offer things like that further down the line.”
Even though the center is still fairly new and unknown to many people on campus, it is expanding with increasing support from students and faculty.
“I think these counseling sessions are an excellent step toward the support of our student veterans,” said President Luis Sanchez. “And I look forward to expanding our counseling and support services as our budget allows.”
With the support from faculty and from students volunteering their time toward the center, the progress that the center has been trying to achieve for some time now is finally being realized.
The veterans, who are involved with the center and spend time around the facility, have benefited from the support and continue to work alongside each other to improve it.
“The main benefit is being around veterans and other resources,” said Saul Rodriguez, a 27-year-old business major and veteran student. “It’s easy to touch on different resources all at one location.”
The Veterans Resource Center is located in the Student Services Annex next to the bookstore and office hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“I encourage veterans to come check it out,” said Caperton. “It’s a nice opportunity to share experiences and advice.”
