Introduction
The Veterans Coffee Social program began when Librarian Katie Arnold and veteran Joseph Coffey partnered to create an event that brings veterans together to share stories, connect with local veterans organizations, and learn about library resources.
Our first meeting highlighted the traveling Veterans Memorial Wall exhibit that was scheduled to visit Rocky Point Park in September 2023, with support from Operation Stand Down Rhode Island (OSDRI).
The traveling wall replicates the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Team members from OSDRI attended the meeting to explain the exhibit and discuss how their organization supports veterans across Rhode Island.
Program Highlights
Grant Funded Expansion
After the success of our first event, the Coffee Social expanded into a recurring program. Librarians Katie Arnold and Ellen O’Brien were awarded a LORI Mini Grant to fund the program’s expansion in 2024.
The grant allowed the library to bring in speakers and activities focused on mental health, creativity, and social connection. Many presenters donated their time, and grant funds were used to purchase supplies for each event.
Grant-Funded Events in 2024
- February 2024: Mental health awareness presentation by Joseph Coffey.
- March 2024: Soup demonstration and tasting with Chef Frank Terranova.
- April 2024: Genealogy workshop with Helen Smith of the RI Genealogical Society.
- May 2024: Violin concert by Edgar Edwards.
- June 2024: Fly fishing tie demonstration.
- July 2024: Meditation workshop led by Heather Paris.
- August 2024: Pottery painting workshop with Imperial Ceramics.
Events After Grant Completion
- September 2024: Animal therapy session with Dare to Dream Ranch.
- October 2024: Rhode Island armories presentation by Roberta Humble.
- November 2024: Warwick cemetery history talk by Pegee Malcomb.
- December 2024: Author talk featuring Afterthoughts: An Anthology of Rhode Island Veterans.
Video
Video showcasing the Veterans Coffee Social, created by Nadia Engenheiro of Half Street Group:
Testimonials
- “Any positive acknowledgement of our veterans interests me.”
- “Getting veterans together to chat and learn new things benefits the community.”
- “Providing a new skill helps me interact better with other people.”
- “Building connections with others and learning about new resources are the most valuable parts.”
- “My son is in active military. This helps in so many ways.”
- “This is an excellent opportunity to learn something new and interact with others.”
- “I have been introduced to topics I would not have learned otherwise.”
- “The camaraderie with other veterans benefits me.”