SPOKANE, Wash. — VetsGarage is a workshop in Spokane where those who served can learn shop skills and reconnect with a sense of purpose. Beyond Veterans Day, VetsGarage has made serving veterans its mission year-round.
Dr. Dennis Pollack founded Spokane's VetsGarage in 2012 to offer veterans mental health and vocational training. The shop welcomes veterans from every background, branch and skill level.
Executive Director John Pollack told NonStop Local in an interview Tuesday about the experience that launched his work with VetsGarage.
"I had a friend whose son who was a military veteran had just come back. And then all of the sudden he didn't have his training. He didn't have his mission," he said. "So he and I would spend three hours a day working on this car. That gave him a sense of mission, something to get out and go accomplish."
"Having that in a shared space just makes a lot more sense," he added. "Not only do you make beautiful art, it's a very meditative process."
John Pollock describes VetsGarage as a "maker space." Veterans are able to pick a craft of their choice, and experiment with the help of staff to make what they'd like.
He says their woodturning classes with Dou...