Several veterans-service organizations and partner groups used public comment time at the Northampton County Council meeting to report on an outreach "surge" that identified and assisted unsheltered veterans and to describe ongoing support services available in the Lehigh Valley.

Tom Carson of Victory House of Lehigh Valley told council that collaborative outreach identified 13 unsheltered veterans and that partner organizations helped place two veterans into hotel rooms. He thanked partners including Veterans Brotherhood, Valor Clinic, STR Behavioral Health, Valley Health Partners, Catholic Charities, the Department of Veterans Affairs and local law enforcement.

Freddie Reid, vice commander of the Lehigh Valley chapter of Veterans Brotherhood, described the organization's three pillars: temporary housing for homeless veterans, mentorship (including veterans court coordination) and short-term financial assistance (typically up to about $500 per veteran in urgent cases).

Rich Yaczynski, Grama Committee chair for the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC), explained that LVMAC is a regional collaboration of veterans organizations, nonprofits, businesses and government partners that coordinates services, advocacy and volunteer labor for veterans. He said the surge effort was organized on a shortened timeline and called the event largely successful given the time constraints.

Representatives from Tales of Valor described a nonmedicinal rehabilitation program and service-animal assistance; a program participant described how a service dog helps with nightmares and daily functioning and urged stronger verification standards for service animals.

Ben Yobst and Dr. Ben (first name used in transcript) from the Lehigh Valley Law Enforcement Emergency Services officers wellness group described free services and training they provide to first responders and said they've placed hundreds into treatment and provided wellness training.

Speakers asked council members to accept information for future resource referrals; council staff were asked to collect contact details. No formal county actions or votes were taken during public comment; organizations said they would continue collaboration with county offices and veteran-service partners.