Central Valley Veterans

Our Veteran Outreach efforts involve acting as "first responders" to the emergency needs of Veterans, Active service members and their families. We respond to emergency housing needs, furniture and appliance needs, needs for food, clothing and toiletries and emergency/overdue utility bill payment needs. We have also purchased college books, repaired vehicles and provided funds for attending family funeral services. We provide unconditional support to our heroes in need, filling the gaps to which other veterans organizations are unable to support due to program restrictions. Our experience and relationships with the Veteran Community allow us to, after emergency concerns are resolved, direct Veterans and their families to services for long term solutions to their needs. Currently we are renting 2600 square feet of storage for furniture, beds, small and large appliances, clothing and personal hygiene items at a cost of $1300/month. We have spent significant funds in obtaining donated and delivering items to Veterans and Active service members in need. In late 2012 we are able to purchase a trailer for picking up and delivering donations, allowing us to respond to needs in a more immediate fashion.
We prioritize our efforts to provide for single mothers first, followed by single fathers, single women, couples and single men. Keeping families together and women and children off the streets is foremost in all efforts. Gaining permanent housing and keeping Veterans working are areas of focus. We have an application process that thoroughly reviews the requester’s finances, expenses, extenuating circumstances and whether our short term support will result in long term solutions. Most requests come with a letter of support from a VA Social Worker or a Veterans Advocate.
Our accomplishments have increased exponentially over the past seven years, due to the unconditional support we have received from the community, corporations and foundations. In 2020 we provided over $55,000 in direct financial support to over 250 Veterans, Active Service Members and their families. This year we have budgeted $84,000 ($7,000 per month) to respond to the emergency needs of our Veterans, Active Service Members and their families. We expect requests to increase over the coming months due the COVID-19 Pandemic

In an effort to respond to the unique needs and concerns of Women Veterans Central Valley Veterans (CVV) is hosting the second annual Central Valley Women Veterans’ “Stand Up” in conjunction with the Central Valley Veteran Stand Down. We are hoping that after attending the Stand Up our Women Veterans will feel more comfortable seeking the services provided at Stand Down. In addition, it will be an opportunity to identify Women Veterans that at are at risk for homelessness and direct them to appropriate resources.

In California, women comprise of approximately: 184,257 (11%) of the Veteran population and 4,369 (21%) of the National Guard. California has the 2nd leading women Veteran population next to Texas. It is important to recognize women as a distinct group because although they are Veterans they have unique needs. Deputy Secretary of CALVET, Lindsey Sin, describes women Veterans as: women of content and character, of integrity and resourcefulness, recognized leaders, steadfast volunteers, conscientious students, honest consumers, and committed workers. Unfortunately, many women Veterans are either hesitant or resistant to claim their veteran status, for a number of reasons. Women in the armed forces work and fight just as hard as their male counterparts, and we owe them at the very least, a community based effort to minimize or eliminate those barriers.

The purpose of this event is to, not only, address the prevalent issues and barriers that our local women Veterans experience, but also provide them with an opportunity to “Stand Up, Speak Up and Claim their rightful Veteran status”. At the Stand Up we will acknowledge their contributions and sacrifices and provide them with the opportunity to connect and build lifelong supportive relationships with their sisters- in- arms and community partnerships.

This free event includes seminars and focus group sessions addressing the unique concerns of our women Veterans. The day will include a continental breakfast, lunch, a free raffle, gifts, fashion show, and award ceremony. We hope 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.

Central Valley Veterans (CVV) and the US Army Corps of Engineers partners to host our “Warriors on the Lake” event. This fishing derby is held annually on the first Saturday in May. This event allows 100% disabled Veterans a chance to learn that life is not over due to their disability. Veterans and their families are treated to a day of fishing at Lake Success in Tulare County. Local Bass Fishing Clubs donate time and boats to this event.
Last year 60 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.
This year we we placed 55 Disabled Veterans into bass boats with drivers - most times a fellow veteran - and have a tournament with trophies for 1st - 5th place and big fish. Every Veteran will receive a plaque with our thanks for their service. We have had Veterans in the past that never fished in their lives catch that BIG one, make the big fish their own and are still talking about it today.

Our Hospitality house is a single family, 3 bedroom 2 bath home near the VA Central California Health Care System (Fresno VA Hospital). We use this house to provide temporary housing to families with loved ones in the hospital or for out of town patients receiving daily outpatient treatment. The house is also used as bridge housing for homeless families waiting for permanent housing. We have a food pantry and there is no cost to stay in the house.