Veterans First Orange County VETERANS FIRST 1540 E. Edinger Ave, Suite D Santa Ana, CA 92705 714-547-0615 Veterans First is committed to the support of the brave men and women whose sacrifices defending our nation and our freedom have left them in need. As the only 501(c)(3) agency in Orange County that exclusively serves veterans, we provide services to hundreds of homeless and at-risk veterans and their families every year who would otherwise be lost in the bureaucracy and red tape of government agencies and a society that is still learning to understand the needs of this underserved population. In our quest to meet the needs of this growing group we provide comprehensive, results oriented services that empower veterans to achieve lasting self-sufficiency through a collaborative combination of care, resources and programs. Our Service Center provides assessment and case management, counseling, employment search assistance and job placement, free legal clinics, a daily free lunch and weekly food bags for low-income veterans and their families. We host the annual Orange County Stand Down that brings together over 40 community providers to one location for three days to address the many needs of the homeless and at-risk veterans and their families. We will soon be opening our first of three ‘Homeless Prevention Center and Emergency Shelter’ in Orange County in addition to our current operation of nine housing units with 120 veterans who are in housing transition or our 19 one and two bedroom permanent supportive housing units for disabled veterans and their families. Although the demand remains greater than the supply, we continue to try to meet the needs of our veterans with the respect and gratitude owed to them for their service to our country. Veterans First is constantly seeking non-traditional ways to serve the non-traditional and changing culture of homeless and at-risk veterans and it is a challenge we take seriously as we continue to develop programs and find solutions that will result in our homeless veterans finding their way back home! So when we “Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America” let us be ever mindful of the sacrifices our veterans made for our freedom. The strength of our nation is found in the strength of the men and women who serve to protect it and who fight to keep it the land of the free and the home of the brave. Twitter: veteransfirstoc Facebook: veteransfirstoc |