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Welcome to Week 15 of the Rediscovering San Diego and Beyond Online Class
Welcome to Week 15 of the Rediscovering San Diego and Beyond Online Class
Dates: Jan 5 (Tuesday) and/or Jan 7 (Thursday)
Dates: Jan 5 (Tuesday) and/or Jan 7 (Thursday)
Time: 9:30am - 10:30AM
Time: 9:30am - 10:30AM
The password (if asked) is: 268304
The password (if asked) is: 268304
Description: This week, we’ll be hearing from a speaker, Darcy Pavich, from Veteran’s Village of San Diego, an organization that was recognized as the “most valuable outreach tool for homeless veterans” by the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. Our lesson will look at the valuable work of Veterans Village, including services offered and the factors which contribute to homelessness. But before we get started, test your knowledge about the issues facing our nation’s veterans with this short quiz!
Description: This week, we’ll be hearing from a speaker, Darcy Pavich, from Veteran’s Village of San Diego, an organization that was recognized as the “most valuable outreach tool for homeless veterans” by the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. Our lesson will look at the valuable work of Veterans Village, including services offered and the factors which contribute to homelessness. But before we get started, test your knowledge about the issues facing our nation’s veterans with this short quiz!
Veterans Village of San Diego
Veterans Village of San Diego
Veteran's Village of San Diego has five locations in San Diego County and is the only program of its kind in the United States. It is nationally recognized as the leader in serving homeless military veterans. Each year VVSD provides services to more than 3,000 military veterans throughout the county.
Veteran's Village of San Diego has five locations in San Diego County and is the only program of its kind in the United States. It is nationally recognized as the leader in serving homeless military veterans. Each year VVSD provides services to more than 3,000 military veterans throughout the county.
Veterans coming to VVSD for help are met with a handshake, coffee, and breakfast. Animals and possessions are stored under 24/7 protection while men, women, and families are assigned to a bunker. Volunteers then escort participants to clothing tents, showers, barbers, makeovers, medical, dental and optical services.
Veterans coming to VVSD for help are met with a handshake, coffee, and breakfast. Animals and possessions are stored under 24/7 protection while men, women, and families are assigned to a bunker. Volunteers then escort participants to clothing tents, showers, barbers, makeovers, medical, dental and optical services.
For a short tour of Veteran's Village (in the pre-covid era) you can check out this 2-minute video and learn some more about the work they do!
For a short tour of Veteran's Village (in the pre-covid era) you can check out this 2-minute video and learn some more about the work they do!
Veterans Village was founded in 1981 by five Vietnam Veterans: Jack Lyon, Bill Mahedy, Randy Way, Paul Grasso, and Russ Kelly. They were at a group counseling session and discussing how they were unhappy with the services they were being offered by the VA. They'd become so angry with the treatment they'd received, they'd considered violence in order to draw attention to the lack of medical and psychological care being offered to Vietnam veterans. The group's facilitator, Father William Mahedy, had also served as an Army chaplain in Vietnam. Mahedy had a better suggestion. “Why don’t you take this energy and do something that will really make a difference?” he said.
Veterans Village was founded in 1981 by five Vietnam Veterans: Jack Lyon, Bill Mahedy, Randy Way, Paul Grasso, and Russ Kelly. They were at a group counseling session and discussing how they were unhappy with the services they were being offered by the VA. They'd become so angry with the treatment they'd received, they'd considered violence in order to draw attention to the lack of medical and psychological care being offered to Vietnam veterans. The group's facilitator, Father William Mahedy, had also served as an Army chaplain in Vietnam. Mahedy had a better suggestion. “Why don’t you take this energy and do something that will really make a difference?” he said.
Inspired by his words, the group formed Vietnam Veterans of San Diego (they changed the name to Veterans Village in 2005) to help their fellow veterans who were sleeping on the streets, under bridges and in parks. Since then, it has grown into a nationally-recognized organization known for delivering innovative services to veterans.
Inspired by his words, the group formed Vietnam Veterans of San Diego (they changed the name to Veterans Village in 2005) to help their fellow veterans who were sleeping on the streets, under bridges and in parks. Since then, it has grown into a nationally-recognized organization known for delivering innovative services to veterans.
Services Offered
Services Offered
Veteran's Village offers services in many different areas such as:
Veteran's Village offers services in many different areas such as:
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation
The leading causes of homelessness among veterans are substance use disorders, behavioral health and wellness issues, and VVSD operates a 224 bed state-licensed drug and alcohol rehabilitation center that serves male and female military veterans. The Veterans Rehabilitation Center is an intensive, residential rehabilitation program treating substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress (PTS) and other behavioral health issues.
The leading causes of homelessness among veterans are substance use disorders, behavioral health and wellness issues, and VVSD operates a 224 bed state-licensed drug and alcohol rehabilitation center that serves male and female military veterans. The Veterans Rehabilitation Center is an intensive, residential rehabilitation program treating substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress (PTS) and other behavioral health issues.
Employment
Employment
VVSD strives to help veterans, including both older veterans and those recently separated from the military, prepare for and find new careers or resume previous career paths. Their goal is to empower veterans through employment in the pursuit of their individual goals. They offer help such as creation of an employment development plan, optional short-term vocational training, resume development and interviewing skills, job search and placement assistance, ongoing case management, employment support services, and post-employment follow up.
VVSD strives to help veterans, including both older veterans and those recently separated from the military, prepare for and find new careers or resume previous career paths. Their goal is to empower veterans through employment in the pursuit of their individual goals. They offer help such as creation of an employment development plan, optional short-term vocational training, resume development and interviewing skills, job search and placement assistance, ongoing case management, employment support services, and post-employment follow up.
Housing
Housing
VVSD offers housing options to eligible veterans and their spouses who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. There are many options, including things like rental assistance, utility deposit and utility assistance, rental arrears assistance, case management, and housing location assistance. They offer a shelter in Point Loma for homeless veterans, fully furnished rooms with laundry facilities, and a permanent housing complex in Escondido that offers 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units.
VVSD offers housing options to eligible veterans and their spouses who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. There are many options, including things like rental assistance, utility deposit and utility assistance, rental arrears assistance, case management, and housing location assistance. They offer a shelter in Point Loma for homeless veterans, fully furnished rooms with laundry facilities, and a permanent housing complex in Escondido that offers 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units.
Mental Health
Mental Health
The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Veterans Village of San Diego provides high-quality mental healthcare services accessible to all post-9/11 veterans, their families, and the families of active duty service members including spouse or partner, children, parents, siblings, caregivers, and others. Services are available regardless of discharge status, role while in uniform or combat experience.
The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Veterans Village of San Diego provides high-quality mental healthcare services accessible to all post-9/11 veterans, their families, and the families of active duty service members including spouse or partner, children, parents, siblings, caregivers, and others. Services are available regardless of discharge status, role while in uniform or combat experience.
Homeless Court
Homeless Court
VVSD participates in the Homeless Court Program, which began in 1988, when 116 homeless veterans stated that their greatest need was to resolve outstanding bench warrants. The Homeless Court Program provides a partnership between the court, prosecutor, public defender, and local service agencies to help resolve legal issues for the homeless population and remove obstacles that prevent homeless and indigent individuals from reintegrating back into the community. Misdemeanors with growing fees and fines often become a hurdle that many simply cannot overcome. Today, more than 10,000 individuals have participated in HCP.
VVSD participates in the Homeless Court Program, which began in 1988, when 116 homeless veterans stated that their greatest need was to resolve outstanding bench warrants. The Homeless Court Program provides a partnership between the court, prosecutor, public defender, and local service agencies to help resolve legal issues for the homeless population and remove obstacles that prevent homeless and indigent individuals from reintegrating back into the community. Misdemeanors with growing fees and fines often become a hurdle that many simply cannot overcome. Today, more than 10,000 individuals have participated in HCP.
What Contributes to Veteran Homelessness?
What Contributes to Veteran Homelessness?
In addition to the complex set of factors influencing all homelessness – extreme shortage of affordable housing, livable income and access to health care – a large number of displaced and at-risk veterans live with lingering effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse, which are compounded by a lack of family and social support networks. Additionally, military occupations and training are not always transferable to the civilian workforce, placing some veterans at a disadvantage when competing for employment.
In addition to the complex set of factors influencing all homelessness – extreme shortage of affordable housing, livable income and access to health care – a large number of displaced and at-risk veterans live with lingering effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse, which are compounded by a lack of family and social support networks. Additionally, military occupations and training are not always transferable to the civilian workforce, placing some veterans at a disadvantage when competing for employment.
Life after the military can pose many challenges to veterans and family members. For some, returning to civilian life may feel like another battle that poses a variety of challenges. There are many factors involved in a veteran’s readjustment to civilian life, some of which include:
Life after the military can pose many challenges to veterans and family members. For some, returning to civilian life may feel like another battle that poses a variety of challenges. There are many factors involved in a veteran’s readjustment to civilian life, some of which include:
- Understanding and abiding by civilian legal standards that may be different from military standards
- Coexisting with cultures, values, and norms different from those of the military
- Dealing with authority figures
- Re-establishing and even re-evaluating relationships with family and friends
- Finding a new career path
- Pursuing college/university education
- Locating a new home
Other factors of readjustment may even be a bit more complex. They may even be so complex for the individual veteran, that they prevent a progressive and positive readjustment towards a bright future. Depending on the individual veteran and whether or not he/she has the benefit of a positive support system, these intrinsic matters can be crucial to his/her overall transition and successful development. Such issues of concern include:
Other factors of readjustment may even be a bit more complex. They may even be so complex for the individual veteran, that they prevent a progressive and positive readjustment towards a bright future. Depending on the individual veteran and whether or not he/she has the benefit of a positive support system, these intrinsic matters can be crucial to his/her overall transition and successful development. Such issues of concern include:
- Veteran’s relationship with him/herself, their sense of identity, purpose, and self-worth
- Reassessment of life goals and ambitions, followed by setting and achieving personal/professional goals
- Coping with “starting over” in society. No longer holding the respect and authority afforded by a particular rank and/or billet, ultimately being regarded as “Joe Smith” versus “Sergeant Smith, the Platoon Sergeant.”
- Psychological effects of traumatic experiences, which may inhibit personal and professional growth. Examples include PTSD, survivor’s guilt, depression, and inclinations towards substance abuse/addiction
- Physical handicap as a result of injuries sustained in combat.
For more insight into veteran homelessness, check out this short two-minute video.
For more insight into veteran homelessness, check out this short two-minute video.
For an inside look into the issues facing our veterans, check out these short videos where homeless veterans share their stories.
For an inside look into the issues facing our veterans, check out these short videos where homeless veterans share their stories.
Meet Mark, a disabled Veteran living in Los Angeles (3 minutes)
Meet Mark, a disabled Veteran living in Los Angeles (3 minutes)
Meet Douglas, a disabled Veteran who sleeps on the streets of Hollywood (3 minutes)
Meet Douglas, a disabled Veteran who sleeps on the streets of Hollywood (3 minutes)
Meet Lenette, a homeless veteran forced to live in her car (10 minutes)
Meet Lenette, a homeless veteran forced to live in her car (10 minutes)
You can learn about some of the issues facing veterans and ways to help from a licensed marriage and family therapist. (4 minutes)
You can learn about some of the issues facing veterans and ways to help from a licensed marriage and family therapist. (4 minutes)
Resources for Veterans
Resources for Veterans
If you or someone you know is a Veteran looking for help, you can find a list of resources here. This fabulous resource guide was compiled by our own wonderful RSD instructor Emily Nye. Just click on the page and then on the download icon (square with a diagonal arrow in it) and you can save, then send it electronically so all links are accessible.
If you or someone you know is a Veteran looking for help, you can find a list of resources here. This fabulous resource guide was compiled by our own wonderful RSD instructor Emily Nye. Just click on the page and then on the download icon (square with a diagonal arrow in it) and you can save, then send it electronically so all links are accessible.
Vet resourcesREV (2).docxWorks Cited
Works Cited
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