• All Veteran Services are available through www.va.gov.

• LA Veterans Collaboration offers help through LA Based government and private agencies. Link with them through Facebook or Twitter.

• Volunteers of America Los Angeles for training, employment, housing and pride: Email: egreen@voala.org.

• The 9-11 HelpAmerica Foundation, to provide resources and support to wounded veterans: Contact Mike Talleda at (310) 780-4540 or mtalleda@aol.com.

• Mobility Works, adaptive vehicles for Bruno lifts and seating: www.mobilityworks.com; VALifts@MobilityWorks.com; (888) 900-8833.

• Handicapped Scuba Association International (HAS) and Disabled Veterans SCUBA Project; Training the Adaptive SCUBA diver to enjoy the underwater world:  Melvin Pasley, (562) 421-3094; www.hsascuba.com..

• 5th Veterans Resource Guide: The Veterans Resource Guide is being updated every 12 months since Jan. 2012. Sections with resources were added (such as Entrepreneur & Business Development, Sports Therapy for Veterans, Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) for PTSD , R&R for Active Duty & Vets and M.A.C. Travel): 5th Veterans Resource Guide (PDF) or 5th Veterans Resource Guide (Slideshow).

• Air Force Sergeants Association: Protect those who serve, and have served. AFSA represents its 100,000 members by advocating for their interests to America’s elected and military leaders. As a federally-chartered Veteran Service Organization, AFSA is able to lobby on Capitol Hill on behalf of its members: www.hqafsa.org.

• DMV Salutes Active Military and Veterans: Information for Veterans, active military, and their family members. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) wants to help you access the proper information and documents to assist in your driver license and vehicle registration needs: Veterans and Active Duty Military.

• Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is the most long-lasting veterans advocacy and assistance group in this country. We’ve watched this country change and grow, and we’ve grown along with it. However, DAV has never wavered in its core mission to fulfill our country’s promises to the men and women who served. We invite everyone, veterans and civilian, men and women, young and old, to join us as we stand up for those veterans who risked it all when they stood up for us, our country, and our ideals: www.dav.org.

• Mindful Warrior Project: Are you overwhelmed and frustrated; Be Free, Be Well, Be Whole: www.mindfulwarriorproject.org.

• Need Help Navigating LA? – Connect with another veteran to find resources you need: Text2Vet: 52211.

• Making a Memory - veterans medals program aids soldiers, families: www.archives.gov/veterans/replace-medals.

• Veterans Choice Program: provides eligible veterans with the option to receive community care from approved providers in their communities. Find out if you’re eligible: www.va.gov/health or call 866-606-8198.

• Archdiocesan Youth Employment Services

• Apprenticeship Readiness Program Training & Employment Resources - HireLAX

• Business SoftSkills - We Help Veterans Become Career Ready

• Cal State LA Downtown - offers degree, certificate and professional development programs

• Employment Programs For Veterans - South Bay Work Investment Board

• Hiring Our Heros - Employers are looking for talent from the military community and will be making on-the-spot hires! Our events are open to veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses, and caregivers.   

• Homeless Female Veterans Employment Based Program - Volunteers of America

• Learn to Code Web Developer Coding Bootcamp

• Military Veteran to Civilian Career Pathway Program - Providing Career Services to Recently Separated Veterans

• CalVet College Tuition Fee Waiver - For Dependents of Service-Connected Disabled Veterans

• Post 9/11 Veteran: Job & career resources

• Professional Certifications For Veterans - Sponsored by Verizon Foundation

• Salvation Army Veteran Employment Services - Assist unemployed and underemployed veterans

• Seniors Helping Seniors - Caregivers Wanted

• Silent Professionals - free service to help find work in the private security sector

• Student Work Study Program - full or part time college students

• Veterans America's Job Center - Provide high quality, comprehensive career and employment services exclusively to veterans

• Free Job Training - Veterans America’s Job Center

• Veteran Services Regional Representatives - California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office

• Hiring information for employers and job seekers: www.vets.gov/veterans-employment-center

• All Glory Project

• Battle Buddy Bridge Program

• Board of Veterans Appeals

• LA County Board of Supervisors Honors Your Service - Pledge Vet Program

• Los Angeles Veterans Orientation - Welcoming separating service members and their families to Los Angeles

• Military Veterans Affairs of Los Angeles - Assisting veterans with services and benefits

• My Military Benefits - For more information on all the benefits earned in service

• NAVSO: Is dedicated to improving the lives of our veteran and military families.

• Benefits Based on Character of Service

• Recognizing an Aid & Attendance Candidate - VetAssist Program

• California Veterans Assistance Foundation - Organizations for Veterans

• Community Veterans Engagement Board - Forum for collaboration among public and private resources, services and advocates

• Mindful Warrior Project - Guide veterans in mindfulness practices that empower them to be free, be well, and be whole in their daily lives

• Real Voice - Create community among women who have served

• Useful References

• Veterans Benefits Administration - Basic information about programs, eligibility, links to online application sites

• Veterans Connect @ the Library - Meet a benefit coach for benefits you may qualify for

• Veteran Designation DMV License - New Cal Law

• Veteran Driver License and ID Available - You may qualify to display VETERAN on your driver license or ID card

• Veterans Services at Patriotic Hall

• Women Veterans Share Your Story and Help Veteran - Public Counsel

• Women Veterans Outreach

• Women Veterans Resources

• Habitat For Humanity ReStore - low-cost building and home improvement materials

• Habitat For Humanity

• Habitat For Heroes: (Habitat LA) is offering veterans and their families affordable home ownership and repair opportunities.

• Homes 4 Families - Home ownership is possible in Palmdale, CA

• Hollywood Veteran Center - Transitional housing program for homeless

• Sign-up for nutritious low cost meals delivered to your home - Meals on Wheels

• Mortgage Modification and Foreclosure Scams - Alert

• No Place Like Home Initiative

• PATH Making It Home - Promotes housing stability among very low-income Veteran families

• LA Homeless Services Authority

• Veterans Outpost - Orange County Rescue Mission Transitional Housing Program

• Volunteers of America - Promote housing stability among very low income families

• 211 LA County - Information on Health and Social Services

• Circle of Health - Classes to Improve Your Health @ West Los Angeles

• Free Pain Treatments for Veterans - Laser pain treatment

• Heal Healthy at Home - County of Los Angeles Meals on Wheels Association

• Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program - Recovery oriented assistance program

• National Caregiver Support Program, a national caregiver support program for caregivers of veterans; (1-855-260-3274)

• Operation Family Caregiver: Coaches the families of newly returning service members and veterans to manage the difficulties they face when they come home.

• Star Family Group - For a child that has experienced or witnessed a stressful event

• Stress, Burn Out, Compassion Fatigue - Team Training

• The PACT Act and your VA benefits - A new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances

• Train Your Brain Study - USC Suzanne Dworak-Pek research

• UCLA/VA Veteran Family Wellness Center

• UCLA/VA Veteran Family Wellness Center - Women’s Program

• Vet Center - OIF/OEF/OND Support Groups

• Veterans Health Solutions - First To Care

• Veterans Health Administration - Priorities for Strategic Actions

• Veterans Health Administration - Smoke free VHA Programs

• VA LA Healthcare System - Community-Based Outpatient Clinics

• Veterans Voice - Aid transitioning to VA healthcare system

• Veterans Home of California - Accepting Applications in the Assisted Living Level of Care

• Volunteers of America - Conducting a training to address moral injury with Spiritual Resiliency Training (SRT)

• Volunteers Needed for Research - VA Long Beach Health Care System

• Women's Wellness Program

www.veteranscrisisline.net

• Suicide Crisis line dial 988

Asbestos Diseases are recognized by the VA. Veterans who develop mesothelioma as a result of their service in the military are entitled to benefits and assistance from the U.S. Government.

How can I receive my benefits?

Veterans make up the largest group of people diagnosed with mesothelioma because asbestos was so widely used by the military. Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma are entitled to disability compensation, pension and/or medical benefits through the VA. Surviving spouses and dependents may also qualify for compensation from the VA.

What benefits are available?

1. Financial Benefits
   Veterans with mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer can receive full financial benefits from the VA. Learn how you and your family can get access to these benefits with our free Veteran’s Support Guide.

2. Help Filing a Claim
   Free help is available to veterans filing claims with the VA. Filing claims is a complex process because patients have to present evidence to show that their diagnosis was a result of active-duty service.

3. Caregivers and Dependents
   The VA offers benefits to support veteran caregivers as well as compensation for a patient’s dependents

Mesothelioma Resources

For more information and additional resources for our veterans, check out the below links:

• www.mesotheliomaguide.com
• www.mesotheliomaprognosis.com
• www.MesotheliomaHub.com/Veterans

•  Veterans Affairs email contact: veteransaffairs@cityofhawthorne.org

• Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program to promote housing stability for low-income Veteran families: US Vets SSVF Program Coordinator (310) 744-6536.

• A 60-bed Residential Care Facility for veterans also known as “assisted living:” William J. “Pete” Knight, Veterans Home of California-Lancaster, 45221 30th Street West, Lancaster, CA 93536 (661) 974-7035, Ext. 6.

• An Exceptional Veteran Community: Westside Residence Phase I, 725 Hindry Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90301; (310) 496-8132.

• County of Los Angeles, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, 2615 S. Grand Avenue, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90047; (213) 744-4825 or Peter Roman, Veterans Counselor, County of Los Angeles, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, 17600 S. Santa Fe Avenue, #B, Rancho Dominquez, CA 90221; (310) 761-2221.

• U.S. VETS, the largest operator of homeless veterans programs in the country; U.S. Vets Inglewood, 733 S. Hindry Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90301; (310) 348-7600; or U.S. Vets Long Beach, Villages at Cabrillo, 2001 River Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90810; (562) 388-8104.

• ACCESS, the Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA) shared-ride paratransit service; (714) 560-OCTA.