By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher, Prince William Living
Across Manassas, there is an increasing awareness that supporting veterans and their families requires more than appreciation. It requires access, connection, and a clear path to the resources that can make a difference in everyday life.
This year, an event on May 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Baldwin Intermediate School in Manassas, marks an important step forward.
A First Step Toward Stronger Connections
In an effort to better serve those who have served, the City of Manassas has established its first Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Board. This board brings together a wide range of community partners, including representatives from UVA, Veterans Affairs, Social Services, the Human Services Alliance of Prince William, and local veteran organizations across the city.
The upcoming resource event is this group’s first initiative, created to provide a single location where veterans—active duty, retired, or military families—can access support.
“This is the first event this board is hosting, and we hope it is not the last,” shared Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger. “We want residents and visitors to consider this a one-stop shop for resources for veterans and their families.”
A “One Stop” Approach to Support
For many veterans, the challenge is not a lack of services but rather a lack of awareness and accessibility. Though programs exist, many individuals never connect with them. This event intends to close that gap.
By bringing together organizations that support employment, education, healthcare, and overall quality of life, the city is making it easier for veterans to take the first step. Instead of navigating multiple agencies, individuals can have direct conversations, ask questions, and begin building relationships in a single setting.
“We want to help them make connections to resources that support their everyday lives,” the mayor explained. “At the same time, we want to introduce them to what the city has to offer, from our schools and police to our social services.”
This kind of visibility matters. When services are seen, they are more likely to be used.
Meeting People Where They Are
One of the most important realities the advisory board is addressing is that not every veteran actively seeks help. Some may not know where to start. Others may not realize what is available. In many cases, barriers are not merely logistical. They are personal.
That is why events like this are so important. “Many veterans are unaware and simply will not seek out help,” the mayor said. “We need to bring it to them and make it easily accessible.” This approach shifts the responsibility from the individual to the community. It recognizes that outreach must be intentional and visible.
It also shows a broader understanding of service. Supporting veterans does not end when they return home. It continues through every stage of life.
Building a Broader Vision
While this event acts as a first, it is also part of something larger. The Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Board was created with long-term impact in mind. This initial resource fair sets the spirit for future efforts, each intended to strengthen connections and expand awareness.
“This is just the first of many events this board will do,” the mayor shared. “It connects to a broader vision of a united community that helps one another, no matter what stage of life they find themselves in.”
That vision extends beyond veterans alone. When people have access to employment, education, and essential services, the entire community benefits—families are stronger and local systems work better, building a stronger, connected, and resilient city.
A Community Effort
What makes this initiative stand out is the collaboration behind it. No single organization can meet every need. By bringing together partners across sectors, the City of Manassas is creating a network of support that reflects the complexity of real life.
From healthcare providers to social services, from educational institutions to local agencies, each plays a role in building a more accessible system. The event is more than a gathering; it reflects what is possible when a community works together with purpose.
Looking Ahead
As the first event of its kind, this resource fair represents both a milestone and a starting point.
It is an opportunity for veterans and their families to connect with the support they deserve. It is also an opportunity for the community to better understand how to serve those who have given so much.
The success of this event will not be measured only by attendance. It will be seen in the connections made, the questions asked, and the ways forward that begin because someone found the right resource at the right time.
For Manassas, it represents a step toward a stronger, more informed, and more collaborative community. And it is only the beginning.
Rebecca Barnes is the publisher of Prince William Living and CEO of Imagine, a destination marketing agency. With a background in journalism and communications, she is passionate about telling stories that strengthen community connections and improve quality of life across Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.