Staying socially connected can be just as important to a veteran’s well-being as medical care or assistance with daily tasks.
Fortunately, a range of programs, both national and local, are designed to help veterans maintain meaningful relationships, participate in their communities, and enjoy camaraderie with others who share similar life experiences. BrightStar Care’s companion care services play a vital role in reducing isolation.
These initiatives, ranging from structured support groups to informal social gatherings, create safe, welcoming environments where veterans can connect over shared experiences, find emotional support, and maintain a sense of purpose.
In Danvers, access to these programs is made easier through local resources such as the Lowell Vet Center’s satellite location and Danvers Veterans Services.
The program is easy to join and designed to accommodate a range of comfort levels and communication styles. Veterans can build real friendships through these calls, making this one of the VA’s most accessible and impactful connection tools.
In Danvers, the Lowell Vet Center offers these services at its satellite location within the Danvers Council on Aging every Monday and Thursday. Veterans can schedule appointments to participate in one-on-one or group counseling sessions, with a strong emphasis on emotional resilience and mutual support.
The VA provides a quick-start guide and promotional resources for anyone interested in organizing a social event in their area. These gatherings are often hosted by veterans themselves, VA peer specialists, or local community members, and they serve as a meaningful way to stay connected outside of clinical settings.
These groups offer a mix of structured programs, casual meetups, and volunteer opportunities tailored to veterans’ shared values and experiences.
Whether reconnecting with fellow service members, attending regular events, or giving back through service, there’s likely a group nearby.
Membership provides more than access to events; it builds a sense of belonging and routine, especially for older veterans. Many chapters also offer advocacy services, assistance with VA benefits, and emotional support through peer connections. Participation in these groups enables veterans to remain engaged in civic life while fostering camaraderie with others who have served.
Team RWB fosters strong bonds among members by creating inclusive, mission-driven spaces where veterans and civilians can come together. With chapters across the country, it’s easy to find local opportunities for connection.
Past gatherings have included the Armed Forces Day Healing Waters Picnic & Paddle, which combined outdoor recreation with social engagement and healing activities. Other events, like resource fairs at North Shore Community College (Danvers Campus), provide one-stop access to veteran services while encouraging peer interaction and support.
The Collaborative’s mission is to make veterans feel seen, supported, and integrated within their communities, whether through educational workshops, wellness activities, or informal gatherings.
Our award-winning caregivers take the time to build genuine relationships with the veterans they support, offering not only assistance but true companionship and conversation.
BrightStar Care helps, whether it’s a weekly veterans' coffee group, a local American Legion meeting, or a special event like a resource fair, our caregivers are available to provide safe, reliable transportation and attend as a friendly, familiar presence.
For veterans who feel hesitant to re-engage socially, consistency is key. Having the same trusted caregiver by their side encourages comfort and confidence, helping reduce feelings of isolation over time.
Our team is trained not only in personal care but also in creating opportunities for veterans to reconnect with their communities, their fellow service members, and themselves.
Fortunately, a range of programs, both national and local, are designed to help veterans maintain meaningful relationships, participate in their communities, and enjoy camaraderie with others who share similar life experiences. BrightStar Care’s companion care services play a vital role in reducing isolation.
VA Programs That Promote Veteran Interaction
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers several programs designed to reduce isolation and promote a sense of community among veterans.These initiatives, ranging from structured support groups to informal social gatherings, create safe, welcoming environments where veterans can connect over shared experiences, find emotional support, and maintain a sense of purpose.
In Danvers, access to these programs is made easier through local resources such as the Lowell Vet Center’s satellite location and Danvers Veterans Services.
Veteran Buddy Link: Creating Connections One Call at a Time
Veteran Buddy Link is a national initiative that pairs veterans with trained peers or volunteers for regular phone check-ins. These casual conversations offer more than just friendly talk, they provide emotional support, help reduce feelings of loneliness, and encourage ongoing engagement. For veterans who are homebound or live in rural areas, the program is a lifeline that keeps them connected without needing to leave their home.The program is easy to join and designed to accommodate a range of comfort levels and communication styles. Veterans can build real friendships through these calls, making this one of the VA’s most accessible and impactful connection tools.
VA Peer Support Groups: Shared Experience, Shared Strength
Peer Support Groups are led by trained VA Peer Support Specialists, many of whom are veterans themselves, who guide discussions on everything from managing PTSD and substance use to navigating life transitions. These groups offer veterans a confidential space to share their experiences and learn from others who’ve walked a similar path.In Danvers, the Lowell Vet Center offers these services at its satellite location within the Danvers Council on Aging every Monday and Thursday. Veterans can schedule appointments to participate in one-on-one or group counseling sessions, with a strong emphasis on emotional resilience and mutual support.
Veterans Socials: Casual Community Meetups Across the Country
Veterans Socials are informal gatherings supported by the VA that bring veterans, their families, and allies together in relaxed community settings. These meetups—often hosted at local coffee shops, parks, or senior centers—foster easy conversation, shared stories, and genuine friendship. They’re designed to be approachable for all veterans, regardless of age or service background.The VA provides a quick-start guide and promotional resources for anyone interested in organizing a social event in their area. These gatherings are often hosted by veterans themselves, VA peer specialists, or local community members, and they serve as a meaningful way to stay connected outside of clinical settings.
Local and National Veteran Organizations to Know
Beyond government-run initiatives, many nonprofit and community-based organizations provide vital opportunities for veterans to stay socially engaged.These groups offer a mix of structured programs, casual meetups, and volunteer opportunities tailored to veterans’ shared values and experiences.
Whether reconnecting with fellow service members, attending regular events, or giving back through service, there’s likely a group nearby.
American Legion and VFW: Longstanding Hubs for Veteran Community
The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) are two of the most recognized veteran service organizations in the U.S., with deep roots in nearly every community. These groups offer a regular calendar of activities, from bingo nights and pancake breakfasts to guest speakers, memorial ceremonies, and community outreach programs.Membership provides more than access to events; it builds a sense of belonging and routine, especially for older veterans. Many chapters also offer advocacy services, assistance with VA benefits, and emotional support through peer connections. Participation in these groups enables veterans to remain engaged in civic life while fostering camaraderie with others who have served.
Team Red, White & Blue: Fitness and Fellowship for Veterans
Team RWB blends physical activity with social connection to create a welcoming, health-focused veteran community. Events are varied and accessible, including local runs, group workouts, yoga sessions, hikes, and even virtual wellness challenges. The emphasis is on community rather than competition, making it approachable for veterans of all ages and fitness levels.Team RWB fosters strong bonds among members by creating inclusive, mission-driven spaces where veterans and civilians can come together. With chapters across the country, it’s easy to find local opportunities for connection.
North Shore Veterans Collaborative: Regional Events and Resources
The North Shore Veterans Collaborative (NSVC) serves as a regional network linking veterans, service providers, and community partners throughout northeastern Massachusetts. While large-scale summits are currently on pause, the Collaborative remains active through smaller events and resource-sharing efforts.Past gatherings have included the Armed Forces Day Healing Waters Picnic & Paddle, which combined outdoor recreation with social engagement and healing activities. Other events, like resource fairs at North Shore Community College (Danvers Campus), provide one-stop access to veteran services while encouraging peer interaction and support.
The Collaborative’s mission is to make veterans feel seen, supported, and integrated within their communities, whether through educational workshops, wellness activities, or informal gatherings.
How BrightStar Care Supports Veteran Social Wellness at Home
BrightStar Care understands that social wellness is a crucial part of a veteran’s overall health and that meaningful connection often starts at home. That’s why our companion care services are designed to go beyond helping with meals or light housekeeping.Our award-winning caregivers take the time to build genuine relationships with the veterans they support, offering not only assistance but true companionship and conversation.
BrightStar Care helps, whether it’s a weekly veterans' coffee group, a local American Legion meeting, or a special event like a resource fair, our caregivers are available to provide safe, reliable transportation and attend as a friendly, familiar presence.
For veterans who feel hesitant to re-engage socially, consistency is key. Having the same trusted caregiver by their side encourages comfort and confidence, helping reduce feelings of isolation over time.
Our team is trained not only in personal care but also in creating opportunities for veterans to reconnect with their communities, their fellow service members, and themselves.