Delaware County’s Military and Veterans Affairs Department Shows “Sound and Strong” Progress in Public Update
Delaware County’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs delivered a detailed and widely praised public presentation on Wednesday, November 12, offering what Director COL Arthur Jenkins described as “an unequivocally sound and strong” update on the state of Veteran services in the county. The briefing, held during the regular County Council meeting, drew applause from attendees and was described by Council members as one of the most informative Veteran services updates in recent years.
Since COL Jenkins assumed leadership two years ago, the department has undergone a significant and measurable transformation. Through strategic outreach and a focus on meeting Veterans where they are, the office has increased its throughput by 68 percent—serving more Veterans, securing more benefits, and elevating its visibility countywide.
“We knew that if Veterans didn’t know we even existed, then our throughput was insignificant,” Jenkins said. “So, we rebuilt our outreach from the ground up, and the results speak for themselves.”
Jenkins detailed a wide range of initiatives now underway: homeless-Veteran sweeps with the Community Action Agency of Delaware County; expanded partnerships with the Philadelphia and Coatesville VA Medical Centers; the formation of the Veterans Advisory Council; and the launch of the county’s new Veterans Response Team, composed of Veteran police officers and first responders trained in de-escalation.
“A Veteran in crisis is more prone to speak to an individual who identifies as a fellow Veteran,” he explained. “That connection can spare someone based on the interaction, Veteran to Veteran.”
The department has also expanded Veteran-focused community programming—including resource fairs, monthly gatherings, and the county’s first Veteran book-review event—creating what Jenkins called “crosstalk that was powerful” and a level of fellowship he hopes to continue building.
The department now operates out of both Media and Drexel Hill, offering walk-ins, appointments, and on-site benefit support at libraries, churches, community events, and senior centers.
Flag-raising ceremonies honoring each military branch have also grown significantly, drawing large Veteran turnouts and extending into lunch gatherings hosted by Capozzoli Catering.
Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor praised the transformation, saying: “When you started here, it was like, we want you to expand the services, we want to be able to do more for our Veterans, we want to be out there in the community and help support them—and you and the team have done exactly that. You had already doubled what we were doing previously. And this year you’ve added on the Veterans Advisory Board, the response team, the workforce development program, and the resource fairs. I hear nothing but great things from our Veterans.”
Councilmember Elaine Paul Schaefer emphasized the sense of connection the office has built. “The level of service and support has just gone up exponentially,” she said. “But it's even beyond that: the way that you have built community. And really encouraged in a warm way our Veterans to come together and become a community more. It makes me want to be a Veteran, to be part of this community.”
Councilmember Christine Reuther offered a pointed reflection on how far the office has come. “I'm not surprised that people didn't know that we had a Veteran Affairs office, because I knew what it was like before you arrived,” she said. “You were able to take the couple of employees who were there who were there and give them leadership, direction and purpose and find additional resources. And I'm grateful because Delaware County has a really high percentage of Veterans.”
Council Vice Chair Richard Womack highlighted the department’s growing presence in the community. “You are actually meeting them where they're at,” he said. “And showing them what services are provided for them that they can benefit from. You have really laid out a program and a lot of opportunities for our Veterans.”
Jenkins closed the presentation by reaffirming the department’s mission. “The state of Delaware County’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is sound and strong,” he said. “In fact, it’s Delco strong.”
Visit the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs website for resources, services, and event details of interest to Veterans, active duty military, and their families.