CENTRAL VALLEY VETERANS

Our Veterans’ and active service members outreach program provides for the basic needs and increases the stability of these individuals and families by acting as the “first responders”. We provide emergency rent support to maintain permanent housing as well as security deposits and credit checks to obtain permanent housing. We also pay utility and energy bills that are in arrears due to temporary decreases in income. These past due bills also can prevent veterans from obtaining and keeping permanent housing. Other basic needs provided include food, household items, educational support (books and training programs), employment support (uniforms, equipment, car repairs). Our current monthly budget for outreach is $7200 per month but we often go over than amount due to critical demand. In 2016 we provided $83,000 in direct veteran service to over 300 Veterans, active military and their families. Our outreach program also includes a Hospitality House which we purchased in June of 2015. This single residence home provides emergency housing for patients and families at the Fresno VA Hospital at no cost. This home has 3 bedrooms and is walking distance the Fresno VA Hospital. The house is fully paid for thanks to a generous donor. We continue to make improvements in the home including new windows, paint, a gazebo and play unit in the backyard. Our current effort is a complete bathroom remodel to transform a 1/2 bath to a full, wheelchair accessible bath. Our monthly overhead for the house is close to $2000/month.

Central Valley Veterans (CVV) is a dedicated, committed all-volunteer organization that allocates many individual hours per week to meeting Veteran needs. Our eight member Board includes five veterans experienced in the unique needs and concerns of Veterans. In just 5 years we have increased our operating budget from $30,000 to $176,000 and increased our capacity to meet the needs of over 300 veterans, active service members and their families. We have earned the reputation as the group to go to when all other avenues for support have closed. CVV leverages our efforts by working closely with the the VA Homeless Program, AMVets, local American Legion and VFW Posts, and other community veteran organizations.

Central Valley Veterans’ outreach program is unique in that our funding is all community based so that we are not subject to programmatic restrictions on income, discharge status or other limiting factors. Each request is reviewed on a case by case basis and determinations of support are based not just on income and need, but also on other mitigating factors. We pride ourselves on our ability to respond quickly and effectively, often providing emergency support within a matter of hours, if needed. Our passion is veterans and, unlike other organizations, we are available almost 24/7 to respond to the needs of our local veterans.

Other CVV projects include"
1. Our Annual Warriors on the Lake Event for disabled Veterans held in late April our early May. We partner with the Army Corps of Engineers and local Bass Fishing Clubs to provide a fishing derby experience for local veterans. Last year over 58 disabled Veterans (many directly from the hospital) and their families participated in this special day that included breakfast, a fishing tournament complete with trophies, a BBQ lunch and raffle items. Everyone also received a specially designed event T-shirt and plaque. This event is completely free to Veterans and their families.

2. Organizing and hosting the annual Central Valley Veteran Women Stand Up in partnership with the Fresno Red Cross, American Legion Post 509, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8900, Fresno County Veterans Employment Committee, Central California Women’s Conference, VA Central California Health Care System, And Fresno Vet Center. This free event includes seminars and focus group sessions addressing the unique concerns of our women Veterans. The day also includes a continental breakfast, catered lunch, raffle prizes for each attendee and access to a “Clothes Closet” of new and gently used professional and business casual clothing.

The end of the day will offer spa services with appointments for haircuts, cosmetic make-overs, massages, manicures and pedicures. We will also present an Annual Central Valley Woman Veteran of the Year award. Service organizations and VA resources are invited to provide resources and information. Our goal is to make this event an elegant and memorable day for these truly deserving women. Most importantly, they will leave with a renewed sense of pride and resiliency.

Many women veterans are either hesitant or resistant to claim their veteran status, for a number of reasons. This event offers our local veteran women an opportunity to “Stand Up, Speak Up and Claim their rightful Veteran status”. Women in the armed forces work and fight just as hard as their male counterparts, and we owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude. This event acknowledges the contributions and sacrifices made by women in the military as they defend our freedom. They’re true heroes and we owe them our utmost respect and gratitude. The “Stand Up” also gives us the opportunity to thank our sisters-in-arms for their service.

3. Organizing and Hosting the annual Central Valley Veterans Stand Down (CVVSD) in partnership with the Fresno County Veterans' Employment Committee. The CVVSD is an event that makes available numerous services at one location and will provide overnight facilities for our homeless veterans including three meals per day, showers, new clothing, personal hygiene bags, sleeping bags, etc. The Stand Down is a collaboration of numerous governmental agencies at all levels, non-profit organizations, active service members and veteran organizations and private businesses available to assist all veterans, active service members and their families, homeless or not.

Our Central Valley Veterans will have access to drug and alcohol recovery counseling services, medical and dental services, numerous social service providers and be able to deal with outstanding legal issues with the help of the Fresno County Court system. Educational counseling, employment counseling, home purchase and small business startup counseling will also be available, providing opportunities to stimulate local economic development and further help fellow veterans. CVV plans to host close to 600 veterans during the four days including 150+ homeless veterans and family members in our tent city. We are also reaching out to our female Veterans this year and hoping to provide support for their unique issues.

4. Holiday Support. Each Thanksgiving and Christmas season we implement a food drive and with donations and CVV support provide dinner and food boxes for Veteran and Active Service families in need. We collaborate with other Veteran Service organizations to identify these families. In 2016 we provided Thanksgiving food boxes to 75 families. These food boxes included a turkey with all the trimmings and extras, including a foil pan for cooking the turkey. We also added staples such as milk, eggs, bread, soup, cereal and canned goods to help families stretch their food budget. At Christmas we supported 123 families with a spiral ham and all the trimmings plus the staples to improve their food security.

5. This year we have also added a free Easter Egg Hunt and picnic open to Veterans, Active Service members and their families. We will also provide access to a food pantry. We are hopeful that this family event will improve the quality of live of these families and provide an access point for those in need of further services.