Bizzarro announces $12K for Erie County veterans, programs
Grant for $10K will support therapeutic trips for veterans
Rep. Ryan Bizzarro December 13, 2022 | 1:23 PM
ERIE, Dec. 13 – Therapeutic trips for veterans to the nation’s capital will continue with the support of state funds, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, announced Tuesday.
“Veterans and their families have dutifully served, wherever and whenever they are called,” Bizzarro said. “It’s just one reason why I have written legislation and made a long-term commitment to support veterans and their families through my position in Harrisburg and here in Erie.”
The funds approved Tuesday include:
Bizzarro was the original author of the bill to help create veterans treatment court in the 50 Pennsylvania counties where they did not exist in 2014. Veterans court assists veterans charged with nonviolent crimes, including those linked to substance use disorder and mental illness. Pennsylvania has the fourth-largest population of veterans in the nation.
Erie was one of 14 Pennsylvania county veterans affairs offices to receive a grant, and 34 charitable or veteran service organizations have been approved for $1.15 million in grants from the Veterans’ Trust Fund, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. A complete list of statewide awards can be found here.
Bizzarro welcomes a Veterans Service Officer to his district office on Peninsula Drive every third Thursday of each month to assist veterans and their families. For more information, contact his district office 814-835-2880 or by going here.