Veterans who are facing holiday stress and a multitude of other issues have a place to go in Mission Viejo, thanks to the South Orange County Vet Center at 26431 Crown Valley Parkway.
The facility, which opened in January, is reaching out to local veterans to let them know they are not alone, said Robert Key, a veteran and team leader of the facility.
The center is a federally-funded congressionally mandated program, which has been helping veterans for three decades. It started out in Anaheim, then moved to Garden Grove before relocating to South Orange County this year. With a significant Marine population due to Camp Pendleton’s proximity, the center knew Mission Viejo was the right fit to service young Marine families and others, Key said.
According to the center’s brochure, there are 232 Vet Centers in the 50 states, Puerto Rico and Guam, which provide services to an average of 65,000 veterans each month.
Officially titled “Readjustment Counseling Service,” the Vet Centers are a community-based arm of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Their goal is to provide a wide range of counseling, outreach and referral services to veterans in order to help them make satisfying post-war readjustment to civilian life.
Veterans from all wars, conflicts and eras are eligible for services at no cost. A discharge paper is all that is needed.
“We offer service to veterans by veterans,” Key said. “We are here five days a week and appreciate appointments but people can come in and check out the facility, take information and set up an appointment.”
For more information, call 949-348-6700.
