Groups and classes | veterans affairs

8:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. OPEN GYM Veterans have access to the gymnasium to play basketball, lift weights, or exercise on the cardio equipment. LOCATION: Gym  Bldg. 134   9:30 A.M.  RELAXATION

THROUGH BI-LATERAL MOVEMENT Explore the relaxing benefits of bi-lateral movement through walking, drum playing, qigong, and taiji elements. FACILITATORS: Danyell Milton or TO REGISTER:

Danyell Milton or FORMAT: Webex TARGET AUDIENCE: Open to all Veterans CAPACITY: 12 9:30 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. RELAPSE PREVENTION This is an opportunity to learn and foster daily life skills

related to sustaining and strengthening recovery from addiction and/or mental health challenges. FACILITATORS: Timothy Mollet TO REGISTER: Timothy Mollet FORMAT: In Person, Building 2, Room

2317 (Check in at Primary Care Front Desk) 10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE FOR WHOLE HEALTH A weekly group where recovery and growth meet. Horticulture Therapy is designed

to get Veterans engaged in nature and experience the health benefits of caring for plants. Engage in activities such as in-ground, raised, container, and indoor gardening as well as

educational topics related to gardening and plant care.  FACILITATORS: Laura Singh, TO REGISTER: Please contact Laura or ask your Provider FORMAT: In Person, Greenhouse, Building 127 TARGET

AUDIENCE: All Veterans   10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. ACTIVE MANAGEMENT OF PAIN (AMP) PAIN MANAGEMENT AMP is a group-based program that combines behavioral health and physical therapy

skill-building for pain reduction and management. FACILITATOR: Kristin Dart -or- Jacquie Urban CONTACT: -or- 38047 ZOOM OR ONSITE: Virtual and Wyoming CBOC GROUP CAPACITY: 8 - Open to all

Veterans enrolled at the medical center 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. 2ND AND 4TH THURSDAY  EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT GROUP This group will cover topics such as resume building (resumes that get

interviews), interviewing skills, Schedule A Authority, navigating USA Jobs, Michigan Talent Bank, networking skills, understanding job postings, translating military MOS to civilian skills,

available jobs in different cities (will be based on who is on the call), job fairs, etc. FACILITATOR: Dwayne Kelly TO REGISTER: Please contact Dwayne Kelly at FORMAT: Webex TARGET

AUDIENCE: HCHV Veterans in 22 county catchment area CAPACITY: 20 10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.  SEEKING SAFETY A group for Veterans with substance abuse and trauma that acknowledges the interplay

between the two, that helps develop skills to feel more "safe". FACILITATOR: Nathan Derengowski TO REGISTER:  FORMAT: In person Bldg. 7, Room 142 and Webex 10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.

  INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT FOR SUDS The group is an intensive outpatient treatment that focuses on substance use and co-occurring disorders.  The purpose of the group is focus on improving

coping mechanisms, helping avoid a relapse and moving toward recovery.  The group provides safe and supportive space to learn and receive feedback from people who’ve had similar experiences.

FACILITATOR: Denise Lyons TO REGISTER: Please contact Denise Lyons FORMAT: Hybrid GROUP CAPACITY: Open to all Veterans   10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. STRENGTH AT HOME (CLOSED GROUP, ONLINE,

PARTICIPATION IN ALL 12 SESSIONS EXPECTED) This is a comprehensive program for Veterans who want to stop using violence in their relationships and improve communications with their partners

There are 12, two hour sessions, that focus on understanding abusive behavior and taking responsibility for abuse, understanding anger and trauma, learning ways to deescalate situations that

may lead to conflict and aggression, learning how to view situations in a less hostile manner, managing anger and stress more effectively, and communicating in more assertive ways.

FACILITATOR: Allyson Bolt, LMSW and Thelmo Torrealba, LMSW TO REGISTER: Please contact Alison Mencarelli, LMSW . FORMAT: Webex GROUP CAPACITY: 10 11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL

THERAPY FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS (IONIA CO. COURTHOUSE) This group is for Veterans identified as having substance abuse disorders. CBT is a well-researched, efficacious, and time-limited

psychotherapeutic approach that has been used to treat several mental and behavioral health conditions. CBT involves a structured approach that focuses on substance use disorders and

relationships among cognitions. FACILITATOR: Brenden Wright TO REGISTER: Please contact Lisa Alicea at FORMAT: Video Connect TARGET AUDIENCE: Veterans in the Ionia County area seeking

outpatient substance abuse treatment. GROUP CAPACITY: Open to all Veterans   1:00 P.M.-2:00 P.M. CODEPENDENCY The purpose of this group is to help change codependent patterns of thoughts and

beliefs. FACILITATOR: Jason Knight TO REGISTER: Please contact Jason Knight at extension 31719. FORMAT: Bldg 7 Rm 204 and Webex TARGET AUDIENCE: (Open to OEF/OIF/OND Veterans)     1:00

P.M.-2:00 P.M. NURTURE PARENTING VIRTUAL GROUP This group is to support Veteran parents at any stage of their parenting journey. Group will look at parenting fundamentals, building

communication skills, problem-solving for families, and creating a space for ourselves FACILITATOR:  TO REGISTER: Please contact FORMAT: Video Connect TARGET AUDIENCE: (Open to OEF/OIF/OND

Veterans) 1:00 P.M.-2:00 P.M. POST TRAUMATIC STRESS This group will meet weekly, this group is for all Veterans who have PTSD diagnosis.  This is a place to share your experiences and how

you are coping with them.  The group will be moderated and will include education about PTSD, anger, and the challenges of fitting back into the civilian world. FACILITATOR: Thelmo Torrealba

LMSW and Co-facilitator Emily MacDonald LMSW TO REGISTER: Please contact Thelmo Torrealba at FORMAT: In Person at the VA Clinic in conference room 192 in the HCHV hallway. TARGET AUDIENCE:

Open to all Veterans 1:00 P.M. -2:00 P.M. PEER SUPPORT GROUP Peer support groups are for people who are in mental health recovery.  In this group, you will assist each other while engaging

in the recovery process as well as discuss many other benefits available to Veterans.  Groups are facilitated by Certified Peer Support Specialist(s) that help to promote self-determination

and assist others in regaining control over their own lives while embracing the recovery model FACILITATOR: Ron Henson TO REGISTER: Please contact Ron Henson at FORMAT:  Zoom group GROUP

CAPACITY: 25     2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. WHOLE HEALTH HORTICULTURE This is a hands-on group that explores the healing aspect of nature as well as the benefits of gardening and working with

plants.  Participants will be introduced to and have a chance to practice horticultural skills such as propagation, pruning, repotting etc. Open to all Veterans Registered at the Battle

Creek VAMC. FACILITATOR: Laura Singh TO REGISTER: Please contact Laura Singh at FORMAT: In-Person, at Building #127 GROUP CAPACITY: 12 2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. MUSKEGON HUD-VASH GROUP This

group will be open to veterans enrolled in Veteran Health Care who currently hold HUD-VASH vouchers. We will focus on several topics related to maintaining a HUD-VASH voucher such as

searching for housing, tenancy skills, program expectations, and community resources. FACILITATOR: Jasmine Young TO REGISTER: Please contact Jasmine Young at FORMAT: In-Person or Virtual

(Closed group and registration is required) GROUP CAPACITY:  2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. MINDFULNESS AND TIMELESS TRIVIA               Join this group for a little relaxation and fun! Don’t forget

to bring your thinking caps. FACILITATOR: Cheryl Krzeminkski TO REGISTER: Please contact Cheryl Krzeminski at FORMAT: Video Connect TARGET AUDIENCE: All HCHV veterans 2:30 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.

ADVANCE CARE PLANNING VIA GROUP VISITS WORKSHOP Advance Care Planning via Group Visits is a group discussion and workshop centered on creating healthcare goals that will inform your family

and providers about YOUR preferences for care. Veterans will learn how to complete a VA Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare and Advance Directive(s), as well as, discuss

stressors/barriers related to healthcare and end-of-life conversations. Available for ALL Veterans, Spouses, and their families. FACILITATOR: Brandon Snyder, LLMSW TO REGISTER: Call  GROUP

CAPACITY: 7