Input to Community Development Block Grant ~ Due soon!
- Jessica Polvikoski
- 14 hours ago
- 2 min read
Citizens of Clay County,
Clay County is home to 30,000+ veterans and their families…but we still don’t have a permanent place where veterans can go to connect, get help, and support one another.
That’s about to change.
We’ve just released the Clay County Veterans Center CDBG Campaign Strategic Plan, and now it’s time to turn it into reality.
🎯 The Mission
We are working to get a Clay County Veterans Center included in the 2026–2031 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Plan.
If it’s included → funding becomes possible
If it’s not → we wait another 5 years
💥 Why This Matters
We already know the need is real:
Hundreds of veterans already using the Clay Veterans Center
Veterans struggling with benefits, technology, and isolation
Families and caregivers needing support
No centralized hub in Clay County
This plan is about building something permanent — a place for:
✔ VA benefits assistance✔ Workforce and job support✔ Community connection✔ Nonprofit partner services✔ Equipment and resource support✔ Events, workshops, and camaraderie
📅 What Happens Next
From now through July, we are mobilizing:
Building a coalition of 25–40 organizations
Raising awareness across the community
Bringing veterans to public hearings
Showing the county this is a priority
🔥 How You Can Help
We don’t need everyone to do everything — but we do need everyone to do something.
You can help by:
👉 Attending public hearings👉 Sharing this message👉 Inviting other veterans👉 Connecting us with organizations👉 Volunteering with the effort
Even showing up once makes a difference.
This Is Bigger Than a Building
This is about creating a home base for veterans in Clay County —a place where no veteran has to figure things out alone.
💬 Call to Action
If you believe Clay County veterans deserve a place of their own:
Join us. Show up. Speak up.
Let’s make sure the county hears us loud and clear:
“Clay County veterans deserve a Veterans Center.”
Jessica Polvikoski
President, Clay Veterans, Inc
John Ruark
President, Veterans Council Clay County Florida Inc
(904) 375-1354
