USF Sarasota-Manatee hosts Veteran Resource Fair

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Dozens of veterans gathered at the University of South Florida’s Sarasota-Manatee campus for a day of learning about benefits.

26 organizations teamed up with USF’s Office of Veteran Success for the free event. Representatives from each organization talked with veterans in the Selby Auditorium about how they can help and what they can provide.

In several classrooms upstairs, the college also offered six classes to teach veterans about employment, transportation, benefits and more.

Employees at USF tell ABC7 many veterans do not know of or have ever gained access to their benefits.

40,000 veterans reside in Manatee County and 65,000 in Sarasota, Charlotte, and a portion of Lee County.

“We have folks that need help with translating what they did in the service to the civilian job market,” said Cayla Lanier, Assistant Dean at USF Judy Genshaft Honors College. “And there’s always needs with transportation and stable housing.”

If you’re a veteran and looking to attend another event like this one, The Tampa Green Beret Association is hosting a Veterans Benefits Social on Jan. 18. For more information, click here.