Veterans Resources

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The Torrance Public Library provides access to a variety of resources for Veterans.

VetNow is an all-in-one suite of services designed for a wide range of career and veteran needs. Use your Torrance Public Library card to access the database at the library or from any device with internet access.

Live help and links for Navigating the Veterans Affairs system.
Navigators help veterans and their families understand and apply for the benefits they are eligible for from local, state, or federal programs.
Houses resources to support adjusting from military to a civilian career.
Helps veterans and their families prepare for college with a suite of academic tools. Live online tutoring in a variety of college level subjects is available, along with writing support, extensive video lessons, and comprehensive practice tests.

This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.

Veterans Crisis Line - If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255 or visit http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
- For emergency mental health care, you can also go directly to your local VA medical center 24/7 regardless of your discharge status or enrollment in other VA health care.

Vet Centers - Discuss how you feel with other Veterans in these community-based counseling centers. Call 1-877-927-8387 or find one near you.

VA Mental Health Services Guide - This guide will help you sign up and access mental health services.

MakeTheConnection.net - information, resources, and Veteran to Veteran videos for challenging life events and experiences with mental health issues.

RallyPoint - Talk to other Veterans online. Discuss: What are your feelings as the Taliban reclaim Afghanistan after 20 years of US involvement?

Download VA's self-help apps - Tools to help deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) - Request a Peer Mentor

VA Women Veterans Call Center - Call or text 1-855-829-6636 (M-F 8AM - 10PM & SAT 8AM - 6:30PM ET)

VA Caregiver Support Line - Call 1-855-260-3274 (M-F 8AM - 10PM & SAT 8AM - 5PM ET)

Together We Served - Find your battle buddie s through unit pages

George W. Bush Institute - Need help or want to talk? Check In or call: 1-630-522-4904 or email: checkin@veteranwellnessalliance.org

Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes - Join the Community

American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network - Peer Support and Mentoring

Team Red, White & Blue - Hundreds of events weekly. Find a chapter in your area.

Student Veterans of America - Find a campus chapter to connect with.

Team Rubicon - Find a local support squad.

Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs (August 16, 2021)

California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet)

https://www.calvet.ca.gov

CalVet works to ensure California's veterans get the benefits their service entitles them to. This website has information on topics including, but not limited to: Disability Claims, Education and the GI Bill, Employment, Healthcare, Housing, Advocacy/Assistance, and VA Home Loans. Users may also find information and additional services to minorities, women, LGBT, or incarcerated veterans. Register online to create a personal profile and receive information tailored specifically to you.

California Veterans Resource Book,
To view or download the annually updated, 200-plus page California Veterans Resource Book, click here:
The printed version, a paperback book, may be available at your local legislators’ offices and at any of the County Veterans Service Offices (CVSOs) ).

County Veterans Service Offices (CVSOs)

CVSOs closest to Torrance are listed below. Services vary by location, and not all services are offered at each location. Please contact each office for details. A list of all CVSOs in Los Angeles County can be found here.

The closest CVSOs to Torrance are:
Gardena Veterans Center, 1045 West Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena, CA, 90247 ,                                                                 (310) 767-1221,                                   Hours: Friday, 8am-4pm
San Pedro Service Center, 769 W Third Street, San Pedro, CA, 90731                                                                              (310) 519-6091, Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday, 9am–5:30pm
Long Beach VA Medical Center, 5901 E. 7th St, Bldg 8, Rm. 104, Long Beach, CA, 90822                                                  (562) 826-8000 Ext.4657,                                                                                                                                                                                            Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8am-4pm

Telephone Resources

Education Assistance 888-442-4551
Veterans Health Administration 877-222-8387
Homeless Vets Hotline 877-424-3838
VA Insurance Services 800-669-8477
Telephone Assistance Service 800-827-1000
Women Veterans 855-829-6636, 8 am-10 pm EST Mon-Sat

CalVet Veterans Services Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CalVetServices

Sign up with your Facebook account, and find posts, photos, videos, and more.

California Veterans Registry https://www.calvet.ca.gov/VetServices/Pages/CVRRegister1.aspx

This is an online project of the California Veterans Memorial Project, supported not by state funds but by private donations. A free listing contains name, rank, and branch of service. More information may be added with a donation. Any veteran who considers California to be their home is eligible to participate.

Veterans Administration, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs www.va.gov

Official website of the federal agency administering programs, services, and benefits to military veterans.

U.S. Veterans Center, Gardena 310-767-1221 After hours, weekends, holidays: 877-927-8387
Gardena Medical Plaza, 1045 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., Suite 150, Gardena, CA 90247
Mon, Tue, Thu, 8am-8pm; Wed, Fri, 9am-4:30pm
Counseling for veterans Monday through Thursday. Representative Armand Assayag assists veterans with veterans’ benefits and applications on Fridays; appointments preferred.

Veterans Administration Long Beach Health Care System 562-826-8000
5901 E. 7th Street, Rm. 217, Long Beach, CA 90822 Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm www.longbeach.va.gov
A teaching hospital providing full range of patient care services as well as education and research.

Veterans Administration Long Beach Health Clinic 562-826-8000 ext. 8414
5901 E. Seventh St., Long Beach, CA 90822

Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System 310-478-3711 Ext. 49711
11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90073 Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm www.losangeles.va.gov
Services provided for veterans: homeless programs, health care services, transitional housing programs, benefits counseling and mental health outpatient care. Contact Peer Support Specialist Juma Rafiki for assistance.

Community Focal Point on Aging Service Directory (Torrance)

Issued annually in May, this directory of information and services for seniors (age 50 plus) in Torrance is compiled by the staff of the Focal Point on Aging, a referral service operated out of the Russ Nolte Annex of the Bartlett Center at Cravens and Post Avenues in Old Torrance. The section entitled “Veterans,” on pages 239-246 in the 2019-2020 edition, gives a description of and contact information for selected national, state, and local agencies or organizations of interest to veterans.

Click to access the entire Community Focal Point on Aging Service Directory and scroll down to the Veterans section. The printed edition, plastic comb-bound, is available for reference use or for checkout (call for availability) at the Katy Geissert Civic Center Library, or for giveaway, while supplies last, at the Focal Point office. Please phone the Focal Point at 310-320-1300 for information on availability.