The COC University Center is hosting the monthly SCV Veterans Collaborative meeting Friday, connecting veterans with outreach and free services.

The meeting is scheduled to take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.  on Friday, February 24 at the University Center.

In just a few short months, the group has created an online network at SCV-Vets.org, with support from veterans in the local business community, as well as programs intended to support veterans. The website, for example, was created by Phil Holloway of Boston Scientific.

“All veterans, collaborative members, and prospective participants are invited and urged to attend to see the work we do on behalf of veterans in the community,” said Elliott Wolfe, one of the founders of the collaborative. “We’re moving along and looking for new members.”

One of the current goals is to raise awareness about the recently formed coalition, but the project is also asking community members who are willing and able veterans and can be mentors, Wolfe said.

All local veterans are welcome to be members of the SCV Veterans Collaborative and receive its services, he added.

Elliott and Judy Wolfe, in collaboration with Murray Wood, Jerry Buckley, and others at the College of the Canyons, formed a group to make sure they know help is out there, a Veterans Collaborative, working with more than 60 other community partners, including KHTS AM-1220.

The program has already brought presentations and networking opportunities for veterans.

More than 10,000 Santa Clarita Valley residents are veterans who’ve served in the various branches of the armed forces.

The Vet Center shared the following statistics on age and PTSD:

In California

About 96,784 veterans are under 30 years of age.

About 188,534 veterans are between the ages of 30-39

About 512,188 are between the ages of 40 and 59

About 628,856 are between the ages of 60-75