INFORMATION + RESOURCES
BOMBSHELL BETTY'S CALENDAR FOR CHARITY
MISSION STATEMENT
COMING SOON
Maybe you knew, maybe you didn’t; but California is home to the highest number of veterans in the United States. Of the 1.5 million veterans who call California their home, almost 300,000 of them reside in Los Angeles County. The Antelope Valley is home to almost 80,000 of those veterans and on Thursday, July 15, 2021 many of the Antelope Valley’s Veteran resources and organizations came together to connect, share, and increase accessibility for these veterans.
Assembled by Vets 4 Veterans, Antelope Valley and hosted by their Community Relations Director, Nayda Figueroa; over twenty different organizations came together with one mission: to be there for our veterans. There is a wealth of organizations and resources available to our local veterans, but they cannot be utilized if our veterans are unaware of their existence or how to connect with them. This resource event connected these organizations with each other and with veterans, in hopes of increasing the accessibility and visibility of these resources.
Vets 4 Veterans- Their mission is to empower local veterans, who suffer the
physical and psychological wounds of war, to successfully
reintegrate into the life of their community. Vets 4 Veterans has a
multitude of programs to assist, support, and stabilize veterans
through education, therapies, transitional housing, financial
assistance, and vocational skills.
Contact Information: www.avvets4veterans.org
Facebook @Vets4veteransantelopevalley
Instagram @avvets4veterans
Pointman Antelope Valley- an Outpost of Point Man International Ministries (PMIM), is
a non-profit organization with the purpose of addressing and
meeting the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of Veterans
and their families in the Antelope Valley. All Veterans are welcome
to join. Due to the COVID-19 situation, PMAV meetings will be held
via Zoom every Tuesday at 6:00pm.
Contact Information: https://avwall.org/pmav/
Mike Bertell (661) 524-6408
Facebook @avwalldisplay
U.S.V.B.A. – The U.S. Veteran Business Alliance is veteran-led organization, made up of
volunteers to assist veterans in becoming business owners. They work to
provide veterans with a sense of purpose and community, assist veterans
in navigating steps to building their businesses, educate veterans on
certification benefits, and achieve financial independence. They offer peer-
to-peer mentorship and backed by Fortune 500 Companies.
Contact Information: www.gousvba.org
(888) 517-3822
MHALA- Mental Health America of Los Angeles focuses on housing stability and
sustainability for non-VA Veterans, including employment training and
placement, to prevent and reduce homelessness and to promote stable
living. We also offer benefits assistance and personal financial planning, as
well as temporary financial assistance to help them get back on their feet.
Contact Information: https://www.mhala.org/services-and-programs/veterans/
Palmdale: 661-947-1993
AVVCAC- The Antelope Valley Veteran Community Action Coalition works to advance
the status of local veterans through service, education, and advocacy. They
are able to provide resources to disabled Veterans regarding housing and
handicap assistance programs. AVVCAC hosts a coffee for vets breakfast
every Wednesday from 0730 to 0930 at Scramblez Café in Palmdale. This
breakfast allows them to share up to date information with our veterans
and the coffee is free and meals are 10% for veterans.
Contact Information: www.AntelopeVVCAC.org
Scramblez Café on Wednesdays
835 East Ave Q-9 in Palmdale
AVVCAC 5849 East Ave T-8
(661) 317-4956
Breakfast for Veterans- Breakfast for Veterans is hosted by Disabled American
Veterans (DAV) at Desert Vineyard Church on Ave I and Challenger Way
every Monday at 8 am. This is another opportunity for veterans to connect
with one another, receive information on veteran resources and upcoming
events, and get details on VA benefits available to them. The DAV also
meets on the 1st Wednesday of every month at 7 pm.
Contact Information: Desert Vineyard Church
1011 East Ave I
Lancaster, CA 93535
DAV Meeting Location
45221 30th St. West
Lancaster, CA 93536
DAV Commander, Sonia Gibbs
(661) 533-5545
Homes 4 Families- Their mission is to build resiliency, economic growth,
neighborhoods, and homes for veteran families. Veterans are provided
with specialized services and education to assist with Military trauma and
to move them into the middle class. These services include financial
literacy, health and wellness and vet-to-vet support, and have been
designed, tested and registered/copyrighted. The Homes 4 Families
Palmdale Home Ownership Program offers a $100 down payment, low
monthly payments, “Sweat Equity” to educate and work toward ownership
and financial stability, and connections with neighbors in a veteran only
neighborhood.
Contact information: www.Homes4Families.org
Alejandro Castillo, (661) 441-0716
Cal Vet- The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) works to serve
California veterans and their families. CalVet strives to ensure that its
veterans of every era and their families get the state and federal benefits
and services they have earned and deserve as a result of selfless and
honorable military service. CalVet strives to serve veterans and their
families with dignity and compassion and to help them achieve their
highest quality of life.
Contact Information: Antelope Valley Senior Center
777 Jackman Street
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 726-4410
Veterans Service Office Lancaster
335 E. Ave K-10
Lancaster, CA 93535
(661) 974-8842
The Office of Congressman Mike Garcia- Congressman Mike Garcia’s office can assist
with navigating federal agencies like Social Security, IRS and the VA;
Congressional Commendations; and resources or supports for grant
requests.
Contact Information: www.MikeGarcia.House.Gov
Antelope Valley Office
1008 West Ave M-14, Suite E
Palmdale, CA 93551
(661) 839-0532
American Legion- The American Legion’s mission is to enhance the well-being of
America's veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by
our devotion to mutual helpfulness. The American Legion's vision
statement is "The American Legion: Veterans Strengthening America.”
The American Legion's value principles are as follows:
· A VETERAN IS A VETERAN - The American Legion embraces all current and
former members of the military and endeavors to help them transition
into their communities.
· SELFLESS SERVICE - The American Legion celebrates all who contribute to
something larger than themselves and inspires others to serve and
strengthen America.
· AMERICAN VALUES AND PATRIOTISM - The American Legion advocates for
upholding and defending the United States Constitution, equal justice and
opportunity for everyone and discrimination against no one, youth
education, responsible citizenship and honoring military service by
observing and participating in memorial events.
· FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - The American Legion meets
the unique needs of local communities.
· ADVANCING THE VISION - The American Legion educates, mentors and
leads new generations of Americans.
· HONOR THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US - The American Legion pays
perpetual respect for all past military sacrifices to ensure they are never
forgotten by new generations.
Contact Information: American Legion Post 311
44355 40th St East
Lancaster, CA 93535
(661) 946-1919
American Legion Post 348
38260 10th St East
Palmdale, CA 93550
(661) 273-1348
WAVES- Wounded American Veterans Experience Scuba works with wounded
veterans using scuba diving to assist in rehabilitating injuries received
while serving our country. The WAVES project has helped veterans and
their families positively deal with the effects of injuries and PTSD.
Headquartered in Temecula, California WAVES works with AV Desert Divers
to help veterans in the Antelope Valley.
Contact Information: www.wavesproject.org
888-764-6383
Facebook @theWAVESProject
VPAN- Veteran Peer Access Network helps connect veterans and their families to
the following services regardless of discharge status:
· Mental Health Treatment
· Substance misuse support
· Temporary and permanent housing
· Workforce development and employment
· Healthcare access
· Education enrollment and financial assistance
· Legal Services
· Community- an opportunity to connect with veterans
Contact Information: (800) 854-7771 option #3
JVS- Jobs. Vision. Success. Is the umbrella over the VPAN and works to get
veterans job ready with resume and job placement assistance. Access to
JVS and VPAN can be reached through Jimmy Guevara.
Contact Information: jimmy.guevara@jvs-socal.org
Rally Point
237 E. Columbia Way
Lancaster, CA 93535
Patriot Guard Riders- The mission of the Patriot Guard Riders is to ensure dignity and
respect at memorial services honoring Fallen Military Heroes, First
Responders and honorably discharge Veterans.
To request a mission for a fallen hero in Southern California visit www.socalpgr.com
and complete the request a mission form.
Antelope Valley Vet Center- The AVVC provides a variety of counseling services;
referral services including medical, benefit, employment and VA; and
community engagement.
Contact Information: 38925 Trade Center Dr. Suite J
Palmdale, CA 93551
(661) 267-1026
Veterans Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255 and press 1
Coffee 4 Vets- Our Mission is to identify senior World War II, Korean, and Vietnam
Veterans and to provide an environment where theses Senior Veterans of
all military branches and genders along with family members of these
veterans can meet to converse with one another, sharing concerns they
may have and to help find ways to improve their daily lives while sharing
coffee and a meal. We bring together senior veterans of all military
branches and genders on a weekly basis in a safe environment for coffee
and a meal to address, educate, and provide aid while disseminating
information from the Veterans Administration, state and local agencies of
any benefit changes affecting their daily lives. Our program includes
sending out ambassadors to raise social consciousness about senior
veterans’ needs and to hold fundraising events in order to provide
assistance regardless of race, ethnicity or religion. Coffee is every Tuesday
from 0700 – 0900 at Crazy Otto’s on Ave I in Lancaster.
Contact Information: www.coffee4vets.org
Facebook @coffee4vets
In reality, this is just a handful of the organizations out there to support and assist our veterans in living their best lives and honoring them as they deserve. It is our goal to be yet another resource for our veterans, to help connect with the services and supports they may need; including camaraderie with us and amongst other veterans.