Tom Hall Receives Guardian Award

Tom Hall, Ph.D., VVA’s longtime chair of the PTSD and Substance Abuse Committee, was recently recognized for his more than thirty years of veterans advocacy. In addition to his work with VVA, he teaches counseling for those with emotional problems, directs a support group for veterans with PTSD, and has served as executive director of the Jackson County, Kansas, Community Backed Anti-Drug Tax Commission.

On November 15, St. Michael’s Veterans Center presented Hall with its Art Fillmore Veteran Award, one of four Guardian Awards the organization presents to Kansas Citians who have performed extraordinary work in service to local veterans. On stage with Hall for the presentation were Susan Engel, executive director of St Michael’s; Art Fillmore, after whom the award is named; and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas.

St. Michael’s goal is to “empower veterans though permanent housing and supportive services.” Its 24-acre campus includes 117 housing units for Kansas City’s homeless veterans, as well as recreational areas. Its overall aim is to build a community and the services—from counseling to transportation—that will support and sustain the city’s veterans.