Cuyahoga County officials and veteran leaders marked the April 24 opening of the Veterans Service Commission’s new headquarters, highlighting expanded services and improved access for veterans.
A colorful “Welcome Vets” mural greets visitors inside the new 30,000-square-foot facility at 3950 Chester Ave. The headquarters consolidates services in one location and adds a free gated parking lot, training space and expanded capacity.
The commission traces its roots to 1886, when it was established as the Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Relief Commission to assist veterans in need and their families, according to Case Western Reserve University’s Encyclopedia of Cleveland History.
In 2024, Cuyahoga County Council approved an $8.3 million construction contract for the project using general fund dollars.
Jon Reiss, the commission’s executive director and an Army veteran, said the agency’s previous headquarters lacked dedicated parking for veterans seeking services.
The new headquarters includes expanded parking, dedicated training rooms and additional space to support veterans for decades to come, Reiss said.
“Our last space was about half this size,” Reiss said. He said the larger facility will allow the commission to continue adapting services as the needs of the county’s veteran population grow.
Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne described the project as part of a broader commitment to veterans, citing economic challenges affecting many families.
Ronayne also spoke about his personal connection to the military, recalling that he grew up with deep respect for the uniform.
He recalled his father, an Army veteran who died when Ronayne was young, showing him and his brother an Army jacket, blanket and footlocker from his time in the service.
After his father’s death, Ronayne said, his mother married a Marine who shared that pride in service.
“We need this Veterans Service Commission,” Ronayne said. “We need it more than ever today.”
Veterans have not always received the dignity and respect they deserve, Ronayne said, adding that the new headquarters comes at an important time for veterans facing financial hardship.
Retired Army Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, said the new headquarters represents more than “brick-and -mortar,” calling it a reflection of Cuyahoga County’s commitment to veterans.
Harris, a Cuyahoga County native, said about 65,000 veterans live in the county — nearly one-tenth of Ohio’s veteran population.
He praised Ohio’s county-based approach to veterans services, calling it “the best model in the nation.” He also described Cuyahoga County as one of the state’s leaders in caring for veterans and their families.
“Our obligation is not just to care for veterans, but to ensure that our veterans thrive,” Harris said.
Army veteran Anna Santiago, who now works for the commission, described how the agency helped her family after she left full-time work to attend nursing school.
Santiago said she discovered the commission while searching online for veterans resources after her family experienced financial difficulties.
“And like many veterans, asking for help isn’t always easy,” Santiago said.
She said the agency helped her family with mortgage payments, utilities, food and school supplies. Later, she said, the commission encouraged her to apply for a position there.
“That turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” she said.
Santiago said she now helps veterans facing many of the same challenges she once experienced.
“Programs like this don’t just provide assistance,” Santiago said. “They restore stability, dignity and hope.”
Services and resources
The commission provides emergency financial assistance for:
- rent, mortgage, security deposits and utilities
- food and household essentials
- clothing, shoes and personal hygiene items
- transportation to dental and medical appointments
Additional services include:
- assistance with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs claims and benefits, including disability compensation and pensions
- healthcare enrollment
- outreach for homeless and at-risk veterans
- memorial and burial assistance
- support for veterans and dependents
- DD Form 214 discharge upgrades and corrections
The Cuyahoga County Veterans Service Commission headquarters is at 3950 Chester Ave. in Cleveland. Veterans and dependents seeking assistance can learn more at cuyahogavets.org, call 216-698-2600 or visit the headquarters.
Rosie Palfy former Marine Corps combat correspondent. Award-winning #homeless advocate & #veterans advocate and Signal Cleveland Documenter.
