DAY 5 FEB 15 LOS ANGELES VA MED CENTER/FISHER HOUSE and CALAMITY JANE

FISHER HOUSE AT THE WEST LOS ANGELES VA MEDICAL CENTER

Sharon Hudson, House Manager, greeted us with that big friendly Fisher smile.  This house opened in 2009 and primarily serves Viet Nam Vets.  The hospital complex is large and crosses both sided (via underground tunnel) of Wilshire Boulevard to the West of the 405.  Sharon's heart sores when she hears "the Fisher House is such a blessing".  This house is one of 17 VA Fisher Houses and more are planned due to the increased need in aftercare for our Vets.

“There’s no place like home,” said Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. This may be true, but the West Los Angeles Fisher House Foundation has strived to create a “home away from home” for Veterans’ families. The Fisher House is a free place for Veterans’ families to stay while their loved one is undergoing care at the VA facility. It provides the families some of the comforts of home such as home cooked meals, a garden and a library. In addition, they can bond and empathize with other families experiencing the same emotions. Meanwhile, the Veteran also benefits by having the physical and emotional support of his/her family during treatment.

How can this be free? Well, the West LA Fisher House Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization has raised just under $3 Million and hopes to reach their fund raising goal of $3.5 Million before the end of this year. Our success was due to community support from individuals, families and businesses. Although we can’t thank all of our supporters, it’s important to thank Former American Legion Post Commander Mr. Louis Cozolino and the members of Pacific Palisades Post 283 who made a generous contribution totaling $2.15 Million. There are no words that can thank the Post and its members!

Although there’s no place exactly like your home, now there’s a “home away from home” for Veterans’ families.

About the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System

The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System is the largest, most complex healthcare system within the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is one component of the VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network (VISN22) offering services to veterans residing in Southern California and Southern Nevada. GLA consists of three ambulatory care centers, a tertiary care facility and 10 community based outpatient clinics. GLA serves veterans residing throughout five counties: Los Angeles, Ventura, Kern, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo. There are 1.4 million veterans in the GLA service area. GLA is affiliated with both UCLA School of Medicine and USC School of Medicine, as well as more than 45 colleges, universities and vocational schools in 17 different medical, nursing, paramedical and administrative program.

Sharon really is the "rainbow in someone else's cloud".  Her experience in psychology, teaching and property management make her the perfect House Manager for the West LA VA Fisher House.  She really enjoys getting to know her families as many are repeat clients.  While she may be relatively new to the Fisher family she is an old soul in spirit and love.  We thank you Sharon for all that you do for our VETS and their families.  God Bless!

National Call Center for Homeless Veterans

Homeless Veteran in need of help?

Call 1-877-4AID VET (1-877-424-3838)

The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) has founded a National Call Center for Homeless Veterans hotline to ensure that homeless Veterans or Veterans at-risk for homelessness have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors. The hotline is intended to assist homeless Veterans and their families, VA Medical Centers, federal, state and local partners, community agencies, service providers  and others in the community.  To be connected with a trained VA staff member call 1-877-4AID VET (877-424-3838).

• Call for yourself or someone else
• Free and confidential
• Trained VA counselors to assist
• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• We have information about VA homeless programs and mental health services in your area that can help you.

What will happen when I call?

• You will be connected to a trained VA staff member. 
• Hotline staff will conduct a brief screen to assess your needs.
• Homeless Veterans will be connected with the Homeless Point of Contact at the nearest VA facility.
• Family members and non-VA providers calling on behalf of a homeless Veteran will be provided with information regarding the homeless programs and services available.
• Contact information will be requested so staff may follow-up.

National VA Homeless Resource Guide  MS Word  /  PDF 

AND A SHOUT OUT TO BUBBA AND BOCA'S FAMILY AND FRIENDS, HERE'S ANOTHER WAY YOU CAN PARTICIPATE.....WE THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!

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Hero Miles

With your support, we have provided more than 15,000 airline tickets to hospitalized service members and their families, worth more than $20 million. Fisher House™ is proud to partner with Hero Miles in support of our wounded and injured service men and women and their families. To learn more visit Fisher House™ Programs.* online.

In May 2002, the Under Secretary for Health appointed the Director of Social Work, to oversee the VA Fisher House Program and to serve as the VA liaison to the Fisher House Foundation.

For more information on VA Fisher House Program, contact Jennifer Wengryn,  VHA Fisher House/Family Hospitality Program Manager, Care Management and Social Work Service, Office of Patient Care Services, Veterans Health Administration @ 202-461-6074.



TO TOP OFF THE EVENING A VISIT WITH CALAMITY JANE
We met Jane on a trip to Thailand, Viet Musketeers as we climbed those dang rocks and road the elephants. It was fun to  see her again and have a few laughs while downing "some"  Margarita's on the way to LAX to catch the red eye to Australia and she on her way to a Sting Concert in LA.  Way to keep rockin it Janie!  And now she is known as Ms. Seal Beach, living her dream and traveling the world.  Oh Jane, I hear them calling you to the Fisher House.....