VetCorps: Veterans Helping Veterans

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The people behind AmeriCorps are tackling a new challenge posed by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

At a news conference Thursday in Washington, they and two partners are launching a program in which veterans of National Guard and reserve forces will help other such vets re-enter civilian life.

The so-called VetCorps is a joint effort of the Corporation for National Community Service, the National Guard Bureau and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.

They say returning guardsmen and reservists generally don't have access to the same support services as active-duty service members.

VetCorps will recruit veteran mentors from among AmeriCorps members and place them in community anti-drug coalitions around the country. They will offer support to other veterans and their families.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)