The theme this year is "Vital Connections" which signals the urgency and importance of veterans being aware of the benefits of healthy lifestyles and access to services. As in previous conferences, the event will bring together service providers and community advocates who work with and on behalf of our veterans and their families. Presentations will be focused on promoting positive and healthy activities that will result in longer, happier and productive lives. We also recognize veterans over 80 years old who are healthy active members in their families and our community.

The event is a partnership with WestCare Pacific Islands, the Office of Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo and the Hawaii Regional Office on Veterans Homelessness in Hawaii. This is truly the only gathering that focuses on promoting positive healthy lifestyles specifically for veterans on our island and in our region of Micronesia. We will also partner with the behavioral health directors from Guam and the region to elicit input on the state of affairs of health issues of homeless veterans and strategies to address these challenges. We expect approximately 100 veterans, family members and providers.

We are CARF accredited and join one other nonprofit in the region in achieving this national recognition.

For further information, please contact Sarah Thomas Nededog, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, WestCare Pacific Islands at (671) 472-0218 or email at sarah.thomasnededog@westcare.com.

Sponsors are WestCare Foundation, the Veterans Administration, the Office of Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, the Bank of Guam, and the Guam Visitors Bureau.