Resources for Veterans, Military Members and Their Families
If you’re new to the area, welcome! Central Rappahannock Regional Library is a great place to start getting to know your new community.
Serving the city of Fredericksburg and the counties of Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Westmoreland with 11 locations, you’ll find plenty to read, watch, learn, and do. Start by getting your library card today!
Whether you’re active duty military or a military veteran, there are many resources available to assist you and your families both in daily living and as you work to achieve your goals in education, business, transitioning to the private sector, finding housing, and finding your way after years of a military life.
This page has websites and lists of books that can act as your guides. If you need additional help on a topic, please contact one of our librarians.
General Resources
American Legion
The Nation's largest wartime veterans service aimed at advocating patriotism across the U.S. through diverse programs.
Homeless Programs
Through the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Homeless Programs Office (HPO) assists veterans and their families in obtaining permanent and sustainable housing with access to high-quality health care and supportive services.
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) is the resource and technical assistance center for a national network of community-based service providers and local, state and federal agencies that provide emergency and supportive housing, food, health services, job training and placement assistance, legal aid and case management support for hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans each year.
Senior Veterans Service Alliance's Resources for Veterans and their Families
The Senior Veterans Service Alliance is a nonprofit corporation that supports veteran and their families. Also sponsor eldercare related businesses (listing providers) across the United States. Not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN)
A member-driven community network advocating for the individual and collective needs of service women.
Talking Books Program
The National Library Service of the Library of Congress (NLS) is a free braille and talking book library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual, reading, or print disability that prevents them from using regular print materials so "That All May Read."
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs provides health, education, disability, funerary, and financial benefits earned by Veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
National Archives Veterans' Benefit Resources, opens a new window
The National Archives can assist in obtaining copies of military service records or other proofs of service to prove eligibility for military benefits and related resources.
Veterans Crisis Line
The Veterans Crisis Line (Dial 988 and press 1) is a toll-free, confidential phone support line that connects veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring VA responders.
Veterans Justice Outreach Program
The Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) programs identify justice-involved veterans and contacts them through outreach, in order to facilitate access to VA services at the earliest possible point..
VetNow
VetNow
Local & Education Resources
DAV Virginia, opens a new window
Provides lifetime support to all generations of veterans, their families, and survivors. Assistance in filing benefits claims, transportation to medical appointments, employment assistance, and more.
Germanna Community College: Military and Veterans Service Center
Germanna offers many programs of study to assist active-duty military personnel and veterans that are approved by the State Department of Education for the payment of Veteran Education Benefits. Application forms and assistance with benefits are available.
Marine Corps Community Services Quantico (MCCS)
Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) offers a comprehensive set of programs that support and enhance the life quality of Marines, their families, retirees and civilians.
NOVA Veterans Association
Access to needed services and resources to veterans and their families who are most vulnerable, such as the elderly, low income, and health-challenged.
Stafford County Veteran Support
Information and resources that Stafford County offers to local veterans, such tax relief for disabled veterans and military exemptions.
VeteransNavigator
A 501c3 non-profit that provides helpful, free resource information associated with aging, disabilities, post-military life, and overall well-being.
Virginia Department of Veterans Services, opens a new window
The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) connects Virginia's veterans and their families to federal and state benefits, support, quality care, and recognition they have earned.
University of Mary Washington: Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs Education Service through the University of Mary Washington offers many benefit and assistance programs. This institution is approved to offer GI Bill® educational benefits by the Virginia State Approving Agency.
Family Support
Blue Star Families
Blue Star Families empowers military families to thrive by connecting them with their civilian neighbors- both people and organizations- to create strong communities of support.
Blue Star Mothers of America Fredericksburg VA4 Chapter, opens a new window
Blue Star Mothers of America Fredericksburg VA4 is part of a nationwide veterans' service organization that provides support to veterans, active service members, and their families.
Fort Walker MWR
Army MWR integrates and delivers Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs and services enabling readiness and resilience for a globally-responsive Army.
Quantico Marine Corps Military Family Life
Military & Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) are experienced behavioral health professionals that act as touchpoints for Marines and their families who may need assistance.
Military OneSource
Military OneSource is your 24/7 connection to information, answers and support to help you reach your goals, overcome challenges, and thrive. Offers tax services, spouse employment help, webinars and online training, relocation and deployment tools, and much more.
NavyMWR Dahlgren
Fleet & Family Readiness (FFR) and Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) provides military personnel and their families with diverse programs of wholesome and constructive activities to contribute to the quality of life including recreation, fitness, child and youth development, and fleet and family operational readiness support.
Virginia Veteran and Family Support
The Virginia Veteran & Family Support Program (VVFS) is operated statewide by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services and provides outreach, connection and support to veterans and their families as they address the challenges of military service, transition, deployments, post traumatic stress or other behavioral health concerns as well as traumatic brain injuries and physical injuries.
Local Community and Culture
Classes and events at CRRL
From Grow a Reader storytimes to book groups, free classes and events at the library are a great way to meet people in your new community.
Black Horse Forge
Black Horse Forge is a veteran owned, non-profit organization that instructs veterans, active duty military, first responders, and their supporters in the art and craft of blacksmithing with the goal of providing a sense of accomplishment, mental and physical well-being, and the knowledge and experience to continue the craft in their own communities.
Blue Star Museums
The following Fredericksburg area museums provide free admission to service members and their families between Armed Forces Day and Labor Day:
- Fredericksburg Area Museum
- The James Monroe Museum
- The Washington Heritage Museums: Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, Mary Washington House, and Rising Sun Tavern
National Museum of the Marine Corps
The National Museum of the Marine Corps is a lasting tribute to the commitment, accomplishments, and sacrifices of U.S. Marines. Free admission.
Health Resources
Geriatrics & Extended Care
Through the Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans and their families have access to geriatrics & extended care resources and services.
Mental Health Resources (Military OneSource)
There are many resources through Military OneSource and other Defense Department programs that support mission readiness and enhance quality of life for the military community. Browse Mental Health-related resources below and click for more details including links and access information.
Mental Health VA
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a variety of mental health resources, information and treatment options accessible to veterans.
My Health eVet
My Health eVet offers tips and tools to help partner veterans with health care teams and find useful health related resources.
National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
The VHA National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (NCP) to help veterans stay "well and well-informed” by offering a variety of resources and recommended prevention services.
National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The National Center for PTSD offers a variety of resources and programs for veterans with PTSD and other related conditions.
Project Healing Waters
Project Healing Waters helps active military service personnel and Veterans in need through a dedicated, developed curriculum of fly fishing, fly casting, fly tying, and fly rod building.
Readjustment Counseling (Vet Centers)
Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional counseling to eligible veterans, service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families.
Rural Health
The Office of Rural Health (ORH) implements a diverse range of programs that help improve the health and well-being of rural veterans by increasing their access to care and services.
Salem Medical Center
The Salem Medical Center, located in Salem, VA, offers experienced health care professionals guided by the needs of veterans, their families, and caregivers to offer health related services.
Specialty Consultations (Military OneSource)
Services range from adoptions, adult disability, elder care, special needs, education, spouse relocation and transition, health and wellness coaching, peer-to-peer, and Wounded Warrior specialists.
Substance Use Treatment Programs
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers veterans programs, resources, and assistance with seeking substance use treatments.
VA Health Benefits
VA health care through the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs offers veterans coverage for regular checkups with your primary care provider and appointments with specialists, and access to care services like home health and geriatric (elder) care, and can get medical equipment, prosthetics, and prescriptions.
Veterans Healthcare
A comprehensive list of healthcare resources for veterans assembled by the American Legion.
Veterans and Military Health
Military-affiliated medical resources and more from MedlinePlus.
Women Veterans Healthcare
Women veterans can find women's health services and resources through the U.S Department of Veteran Affairs.
Whole Health Library
Through the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs, Whole Health Library is a free resource that supports patient-centered, proactive, whole-person care. Whole Health was created for clinicians who work with veterans, but their resources can support everyone in their journey toward optimal health.
Business & Employment
Central Rappahannock Regional Library Employment Opportunities
Central Rappahannock Regional Library is an equal employment employer. Apply for a job with the library.
Boots to Business
Boots to Business (B2B) is an entrepreneurial education and training program that provides an overview of entrepreneurship and applicable business ownership fundamentals.
Compensated Work Therapy
Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) is a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinical vocational rehabilitation program that provides evidence-based and evidence informed vocational rehabilitation services; partnerships with business, industry and government agencies to provide veteran candidates for employment and veteran labor, and employment supports to veterans and employers.
Franchises for Veterans in Virginia
Browse franchises available in Virginia. As a veteran, you are one of a select group of motivated, disciplined, individuals uniquely trained to succeed at following a system like in franchising.
Hiring Our Heroes
Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) connects the military community—service members, military spouses, and veterans—with American businesses to create economic opportunity and a strong and diversified workforce.
Military Spouse Employment Resources
With Blue Star Careers, you can achieve your goals by accessing comprehensive career development resources - no matter where your military journey takes you.
Technical Career Field Program, opens a new window
Offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Health Administration, this program offers two years of paid training in critically identified positions within specific career fields.
Veteran Jobs
VetJobs is an online resource for military-affiliated job seekers looking to attain a rewarding career and maximize their earnings.
Veterans Affairs’ Trainee Programs
The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs offers several trainee programs in a variety of fields that set you up for a meaningful career at VA.
Veterans Employment Toolkit
This toolkit from the U.S Department of Veteran Affairs provides a variety of outside resources for employers, managers or supervisors, and human resource professionals for veteran employment and services.
Veteran and Military Spouse Talent Engagement Program (VMSTEP)
The Veteran and Military Spouse Talent Engagement Program (VMSTEP) provides employment readiness assistance and outreach to transitioning service members, veterans, and eligible military spouses while advocating the use of special hiring authorities, employment programs, and veteran retention strategies to help VA become the employer of choice for Veterans and military spouses.
Virginia Employment Commission: Veterans
The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) offers veterans from all periods of military service job trainings and job placement resources and assistance.
