July 16, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

It’s a New Day at the WLA VA Village for Vets

By Marcie Polier Swartz

Photo: PATH. Craig Joyce, LCSW, Director of Veteran Services, PATH and Oliver Viletta receiving the keys to his car supplied by the Village for Vets Income Stipend.

Our year of articles is drawing to a close.  Next month’s issue will be our last article in the series we’ve been authoring to keep our communities eyes and hearts focused on the amazing changes going on at our VAGLAHS.  This month we will focus on our accomplishments these past 11 months.  Next month we’ll focus on the new programs that we are planning.

From that first phone call I received from the VA in early 2016 asking for food for homeless Vets we now provide over 300 meals a week to the VA.  Meals on Wheels of West Los Angeles and the Westside Food Bank are our partners.  This program is not free.  It costs money for Meals on Wheels to supply sandwiches, milk, water, and the most expensive portions are the shelf stable meats and snacks supplied to the Safe Parking, L.A. program on campus where refrigeration is not an option.  Pat Cohen, one of the founders of Safe Parking, L.A., reminds us  how important this food is.  For some of the program’s participants, this is the only food that they look forward to each day.  Donors and Volunteers welcome.  Contact us at info@villageforvets.org.

This year we are Co-Chairs of the Homeless to Housed Stand Down.  We’ve learned a lot along the way like how rewarding it is to extend a hand to homelessVeterans; how they appreciate the new clothing, medical and legal assistance and delicious food.  In fact, they ask for the ‘breakfast burritos’ supplied by Maria’s Italian Kitchen which has become a draw like Grandma’s biscuits on Sunday. That breakfast helps to identify our Stand Down.  Make sure to volunteer this year when the flyers come into your email folders.  Sign up for our newsletters…we don’t send too many!  https://villageforvets.org/contact.html

Our Paint’nSip art program was so popular with the women Vets that the men have asked for their own event which we will be mounting for Father’s Day.  We now sponsor four Paint’nSip events during the year.  Our Income Stipend program awarded a deserving Veteran with a car, two car seats for his young boys, and car insurance for one year.  Approximately ten Veterans who have worked hard enough to gain independence lose it every month due to an inability to earn enough to get by.  Village for Vets mission is to help these Vets.  It is quite understandable, allowable and supportable to prop up Veterans who have a hard time.  We need more words in the English language for citizens who uplift the community and who might not earn enough by  working…want to suggest some at info@villageforvets.org?  Just put “new words” in the subject line.

Our mission: Village for Vets provides community based volunteer and financial support to the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) for the most vulnerable Veterans they serve.

Take pride in helping the VA.  We look forward to your support.

Tags: , in News
Related Posts

What to Expect at This Weekend’s “Conquer The Pier 5K and 1 Mile Race/Walk” in Venice

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Proceeds will fund community programs, youth sports, and park enhancements The Conquer The Pier 5K and 1 Mile Race/Walk will...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

Hundreds of Red-Legged Frog Tadpoles Released in Santa Monica Mountains

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Once widespread in California, red-legged frogs vanished from the Santa Monica Mountains by the 1970s Nearly 600 California red-legged frog...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Beverly Hills Plans Major Apartment Development Near Civic Center

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

The site, currently holding 13 residential units, is slated for demolition to make way for the new development A proposal...

UCLA Student Researchers Face Funding Uncertainty, Student Newspaper Reports

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

The Trump administration’s plan to slash $4.7 billion from the National Science Foundation, eliminate the National Endowment for the Humanities...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...

Elvis’ TV Legacy in Beverly Hills to be Explored in Upcoming Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

The session will feature rare clips from the Paley Archive, including Presley’s debut TV appearance, his 1968 Comeback Special, performances...

Veterans Tech Group to Launch Los Angeles Chapter with Networking Event

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

Founded in San Francisco, VetsInTech operates 20 chapters nationwide and claims more than 60,000 veterans VetsInTech, a national nonprofit that...

Home of Douglas Emmett Realty Co-Founder Becomes Brentwood’s Priciest on Market: REPORT

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

The new listing surpasses Brentwood’s previous top-priced property at 11740 Crescenda Street, which is listed at $54.9 million A Brentwood...

Chinese Bakery Hi Bake to Open First U.S. Store in Beverly Hills: REPORT

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Hi Bake will offer a fusion of French and Asian pastries, including croissants filled with molten chocolate or wagyu beef...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...

Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to Step Down

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted...