Thurston County, Washington

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Thurston County Washington

Serving Those Who Served: Thurston County Highlights Support for Local Veterans

November 10, 2025
Image of active duty officer in uniform in meeting obtaining resources

CONTACT: Susan Melnyk, Chief Communications Manager, (360) 867-2097 or susan.melnyk@co.thurston.wa.us

Serving Those Who Served: Thurston County Highlights Support for Local Veterans
Resources and services for veterans are a core part of life in Thurston County.

OLYMPIA– As the community prepares to observe the national Veterans Day holiday, Thurston County, home to one of Washington State's largest veteran populations, is emphasizing its commitment to the thousands of former servicemembers who make their home in Thurston County.

“We are a community that values those who serve our country, and we take our community responsibility to local veterans seriously,” said Tye Menser, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. “Thurston County operates as a critical hub for veterans, and our community-centered resources from housing assistance to job counseling have become essential infrastructure.”

Veteran resources and services specifically tailored for veterans and their families, include:

  • Full-time, on-site Veteran Services Representative five days a week at the Lacey Veterans Services Hub to provide direct assistance to veterans.
  • Emergency housing for veterans, with up to three bed nights of emergency shelter for veterans experiencing homelessness.
  • Essential financial aid to help veterans experiencing income instability by helping with payments to creditors (like mortgage, residential rental or power companies).
  • Partnerships with Habitat for Humanity to support projects to make veterans' homes compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act and to help with needed repairs.
  • Rent funding for the Veterans Services Hub office building in Lacey
  • Annual Veterans Resource & Job Fair that brings together dozens of service providers, agencies and prospective employees to help current and former military personnel connect with local community resources.                            

The County also manages the Veterans’ Assistance Fund which provides critical, flexible financial support to veterans who face financial hurdles, especially as they navigate the transition to civilian life, seek employment, or live with service-related disabilities. The fund is designed to offer a direct lifeline.

"Our commitment is to ensure that the people who protected our nation have the resources they need to thrive here at home," said County Public Health and Social Services Program Manager Mark Moffett. "For veterans facing immediate financial hardship, our Veterans’ Assistance Program is ready to help connect them with the support they earned."

Moffett said the most common types of assistance provided are help completing federal Veteran’s Administration benefit applications, and addressing unexpected financial needs, where the agency acts as an intermediary to pay essential costs directly to providers, such as mortgage, residential rental, utility, or power companies.

To learn more about Thurston County’s Veterans’ Assistance Program and other veteran services, visit the county’s website at Veterans Assistance | Thurston County and learn more about the veterans hub at https://cityoflacey.org/veterans-services-hub/

 

Board of County Commissioners, Public Health and Social Services
Press Release