Edgardo Solivan, an Army veteran and specialist at the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) at Bay Pines VA, has volunteered at the VA for 15 years. He started in 2008 through the Technical Career Field Trainee Program, a two-year internship at the VA. After his training, Solivan stayed at Bay Pines VA in what is now known as CDCE.
Solivan’s role involves various tasks that enhance veterans’ experience at Bay Pines VA. He trains new volunteers, conducts outreach, and manages donations from the community. He highlights the crucial role of volunteers in improving veterans’ healthcare experience.
In 2023, Bay Pines VA had over 700 volunteers. They perform tasks ranging from driving golf carts to transport veterans, assisting at the help desk, and managing donations.
The volunteers at Bay Pines VA are diverse in terms of profession, physical ability, age, and cultural background. Solivan has seen people from CEOs to retired veterans volunteer for different reasons.
Volunteering at the VA has several benefits, including improved health, recommendation letters, training opportunities, and scholarship eligibility. Solivan views volunteering as a rewarding way to give back to veterans, benefiting both the volunteer and the veterans, their families, and caregivers.