March 13, 2025 3:20 a.m.

The Roseburg Vet Café Coalition has announced the upcoming Vet Café.

The new initiative will take place on Friday March 29th at 11:00 a.m. in the Ford Conference Room of the Roseburg Public Library.

A release from organizers said the event will provide a safe and welcoming space for veterans to come together, build camaraderie, and strengthen connections within the community.

Vet Cafés are emerging across the country as the critical need for in-person connection is recognized in a world that has become increasingly digital, especially post-COVID. The gatherings offer an opportunity for veterans to engage in meaningful discussions, share experiences, and establish valuable connections – without the formal setting of a resource fair.

Roseburg VA Community Engagement & Partnership Coordinator William Wagner said, “This community-based coalition formed to help reduce the risks that isolation, loneliness, and detachment can often pose to mental health and overall wellness”. Wagner said organizers have been fortunate to secure a fantastic venue at the library, and the VA is thrilled to be able to be part of this endeavor.

The release said the Vet Café format is simple yet impactful: a safe forum, good food, and valuable connections. Veterans often miss the camaraderie and trust-building they experienced during their service, and Vet Café aims to restore that sense of belonging.

All veterans, families and community members interested in supporting local veterans are encouraged to attend.

For more information on the event, email: elena@sourceoneserenity.org