Serving
Veterans Since 1971
Veterans First,
established in 1971, believes that we honor the brave men and women of the
military in service to this country by helping to restore dignity to those Veterans whose sacrifices
defending the freedoms that we cherish have left them in need. Until there are
no American
heroes sleeping in the streets, parks, cars or in alleyways, we will be here for them just as they were there for all of us.
We
are the only nonprofit 501C(3) community based agency in Orange County that
provides services exclusively to homeless and
disabled Veterans
and their families.
How Many Homeless Veterans Are There?
The
VA estimates that more than 350,000 veterans are homeless on any given night.
And, more than half a million experience
homelessness over the course of a year. In Orange County there are an
estimated 5,600 homeless Veterans
many of them chronically homeless.
The
VA states that they are only able to provide services to about 20% of the
homeless during the year leaving some 280,000 needy Veterans without the much
needed supportive services they have justly earned. In Orange County the
American heroes living on the streets and not able to receive services is
approximately 4,480.
Services Provided By Veterans First
Veterans First strongly believes the
most effective programs for homeless and at-risk Veterans are, "Veterans helping Veterans" in a
structured, substance-free environment with fellow Veterans who are succeeding
at bettering themselves.
We
provide a comprehensive effort that includes housing and nutritional meals;
case management, substance abuse aftercare and mental health counseling. We
also assist with job assessment, training and employment. We have a fully
equipped (computers, DSL, fax, printers, phones) Service Center available
Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Presently
we have two 18-bed transitional houses in the City of Santa Ana for employable Veterans; we have three
transitional houses in Anaheim with 30-beds for those Veterans who are disabled. In
August 2008 we opened a new 22-bed permanent housing facility in Garden Grove
for disabled Veterans.
We provide 24-hour services to assist them with daily living.
We
also provide weekly food boxes for Veterans
who are house-bound (disabled) and/or those at-risk (low-income) Veterans and their families.
If you are a Veteran or know of Veterans in need of any of
our services, please tell them to drop by or give us a call.
|
Veterans First Service Center
1540 East Edinger Ave ,
Suite D |
This site is under construction. Please check back with us soon!!!!