CLEVELAND —  When Edwin Parris returned home after serving in the U.S. Army, he said he had a hard time learning what resources were available to him.

“Anything that I did learn, I heard from another veteran,” Parris said. “There was nothing prepared for veterans when they come home to help them access their benefits.”

He said many vets don’t know the extent of their benefits, so he and some others, including Army veteran and advocate Walter Collins, decided they wanted to do something to improve outreach. 

What You Need To Know

  • Collins helps run RID-ALL Farm, an urban agriculture hub and healing space for veterans on Cleveland’s east side

  • He’s spent years speaking about veterans issues before city council, and when Ward 5 representative Richard Starr was elected in 2021, the two quickly connected to create a “Veteran’s Liaison” position for the city, and Parris got the role

  • Now, every Tuesday at RID-ALL, all of those partners attend a meeting led by Parris to discuss the services they offer — and brainstorm ways to connect with the local veteran community

“The key to all of it, whatever you have, it has to be visible and it has to be vocal,” Collins said. “Otherwise, we aren’t really accomplishing anything.”

Collins helps run RID-ALL Farm, an urban agriculture hub and healing space for veterans on Cleveland’s east side.

He’s spent years speaking about veterans issues before city council, and when Ward 5 representative Richard Starr was elected in 2021, the two quickly connected to create a “Veteran’s Liaison” position for the city, and Parris got the role.

“We’ve taken the charge to be able to develop a collaborative which consists of maybe 30, 35 different veteran organizations that’s geared toward helping veterans function, be it a mental health issue, a housing issue, a financial issue,” Parris said.

Now, every Tuesday at RID-ALL, all of those partners attend a meeting led by Parris to discuss the services they offer — and brainstorm ways to connect with the local veteran community. 

“By us all come together, opening our minds and our hearts and listening to our veterans, we’ve been able to create something that is very powerful,” Cleveland City Council Member Richard Starr said. “But more than the powerful, an impactful coalition that’s going to help our veterans.”

The coalition is made up of partners like the Cavaliers, health care providers, city officials and more. 

In an effort to reach the largest number of veterans possible, they host resource fairs and other events in different parts of the city whenever possible, with a big event each year at the farm for Armed Forces day.

“It’s veterans centric, but we want to make sure that the community knows that they’re invited out,” Matt Eck, Cavs Team Member Resource Group Chair, said. “There’s going to be plenty of things and plenty of services that are not only for veterans, but for the community at large.”

But for those veterans who can’t make it to the events and still need assistance, Parris said the committee is here to work for you. 

“We have those people at our table today that if a veteran approach us, we can pretty much solve his issues and concern at that given time,” Parris said. “Or be able to refer him to a solid resource where you can go get instant help.”

This year’s Armed Forces day event is on Saturday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rid-All farm in Cleveland. 

At 1 p.m., they’ll be hosting a ceremony for Vietnam Veterans and encourage any vet who hasn’t been welcomed home and received their pin to take part. 

Beyond veterans resource booths, there will be food, drinks, live music, a basketball clinic and more.