Community Resources 

American Legion District 9 offers FREE membership at District 9 posts to student veterans attending Contra Costa community colleges.

The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands behind the issues most important to the nation's veterans community, backed by resolutions passed by volunteer leadership.

The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.

Readjustment Counseling Services
1333 Willow Pass Road, Suite 106, (behind Sizzler restaurant)
Concord, CA 94520
Phone: 925-680-4526

Hours of operation:

Monday-Friday: 8 am - 4:30 pm

For assistance after hours, weekends, and holidays call: 1-877-WAR-VETS (1-877-927-8387)

Contra Costa Blue Star Moms
California Chapter 20
P.O. Box 6379, Concord, CA 94524
Email: ccbsm@ccbluestarmoms.org 

The Veterans Service Office helps local veterans and their families obtain veteran benefits from federal, state and local agencies.

Contra Costa County Veterans Service Office
Nathan Johnson, County Veterans Service Officer
10 Douglas Drive, Suite 100
Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: 925-313-1481
Fax: 925-313-1490

Regular Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm, Friday 9am-12pm

COVID-19 Update: 
All office locations are currently closed for public safety.

We still look forward to serving Veterans and their families. Veteran Service Representatives are currently working from home and ready to help.

Please email Veterans@vs.cccounty.us for assistance!

 

Online: Login to WAVE (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment) (or create an account if you are a new user). On the WAVE main page, click on the link that says "Direct Deposit Enrollment Form". This form can be submitted electronically, or you can print out a hard copy and mail it to your local Regional Processing Office.

By phone: Direct Deposit center, 1-877-838-2778

IAVA’s mission is to connect, unite, and empower post-9/11 veterans. Learn more about Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. 

The Martinez VA Medical Center offers a full range of medical, surgical, mental health, and diagnostic outpatient services, including nuclear medicine, ultrasound, CT and MRI. The Center for Rehabilitation and Extended Care (CREC) is located adjacent to the outpatient clinic, which is operational 24/7. This location provides urgent care but has NO EMERGENCY SERVICES.

Location
150 Muir Road
Martinez, CA 94553-4668

Phone
925-372-2000

Regular Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m

Telephone Numbers:
Emergency: 911
Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1)
24 Hour Nurse: 1-800-382-VETS (8387)
Change Your Appointment: 1-800-382-VETS (8387)
Media Inquiries: 916-843-9247 or 916-843-7000
National Veterans Helpline: 1-800-507-4571
Patient Locator: 1-800-382-VETS (8387)
Pharmacy Refill: 1-866-600-8279
Telephone Care: 1-800-382-VETS (8387)

COVID-19 Update:
If you have symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath, call 1-800-382-VETS (8387) before visiting. For other concerns, you may be able to access VA care from home by phone or using VA virtual care options. More details.

VA’s Oakland Regional Office (RO) administers a variety of services, including Compensation and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment for Veterans, service members, their families and survivors in Northern California. The following additional services are offered:

• Counseling about eligibility for VA benefits and how to apply
• Information about VA health care and memorial benefits
• Outreach to veterans, including those who are homeless or at risk for homelessness and older, minority, and women veterans
• Public affairs

Oakland Regional Office
1301 Clay St., North Tower
Oakland, CA 94612

COVID-19 Update:
Please note that the Oakland VA Regional Office is closed to the public. If either a Veteran need to contact a specific counselor, please do so via email.

SHELTER, Inc.'s Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) is one of 151 programs funded by the VA as part of a nationwide effort to end veteran homelessness. Under the SSVF program, VA awards grants to private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives to provide supportive services to very low-income Veteran families living in or transitioning to permanent housing. SSVF serves veterans who are at risk of losing their housing as well as those veterans who are homeless. Please visit Support for Veteran Families for participant requirements.

Shelter Inc. has created a COVID Hotline through 211; callers are referred to Shelter Inc. and Catholic Charities to aid and assist those who are in need of rental help after being laid off from their jobs due to COVID-19.

1333 Willow Pass Rd., Suite 206
Concord, CA 94520
Phone: 925-957-7592
Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm

Founded in 1974 by veterans, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides needs assessment and case management, employment and training, housing, and legal assistance to approximately 3,000 veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area each year.

Main Office:
1060 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 415-252-4788

East Bay Office:
2719 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: 510-844-7500

Email: info@swords-to-plowshares.org

Services during COVID-19:
Drop-in Hours
We will offer mail services and provide food as needed to veterans who currently receive their mail at 1060 Howard Street in San Francisco and 2719 Telegraph Avenue in Oakland. Triage may be offered to veterans in need of immediate/emergency services.

Rental Payments
We will continue processing rent checks for veteran clients during this time. Please continue to coordinate with your case manager or contact us at SSVF@stp-sf.org.

Legal Services
If you are a San Francisco resident seeking help with VA benefits or a discharge upgrade, please contact Swords’ Intake Specialist Rebecca Beville at rebecca.beville@stp-sf.org or 415.252.4788 ext. 313.

All San Francisco veterans are eligible for a free one-time consultation with our attorneys, regardless of discharge status, the era of service, or length of service. Please note – We do not guarantee representation or ongoing assistance. We hope to return to our regular drop-in hours soon where all veterans who can attend are welcome.

Supportive Housing
We will limit all group activities and non-essential services in our housing programs. During this period, we will have Front Desk staff, maintenance staff & janitorial staff, and mental health staff only on a regular basis. Case management will be limited. Meal services in our programs will continue, but will be boxed and/or frozen. We are also providing residents with additional resources for groceries and boxed meals.  If you have questions or concerns, please email us at housing@stp-sf.org .

Employment & Training
Any Employment & Training inquires including referrals, events, or services, please email us at jobsforvets@stp-sf.org.  Currently our office hours are limited and by appointment only.  If any Employment & Training services are needed, please email jobsforvets@stp-sf.org, or contact your Employment & Training Employment Specialist or Job Developer directly.

Please note that things are changing rapidly and business hours and available services are subject to change. 

Transitional Housing for Student Veterans

The purpose of the Veterans Accession House (VAH) is to offer secure, affordable, transitional housing for single Homeless and At-Risk Veterans pursuing higher education or employment. The VAH offers a sober living environment where residents can find the support and comradery of like-minded, goal-oriented Veterans while receiving guidance from a trained case manager. The VAH program is a Veterans Affairs contractor operating in Contra Costa County.

The program helps with health benefits, educational development, employment support, legal services, Service Planning and assistance with permanent housing. Veterans live in a communal setting, a large bedroom, sharing common areas of the house at the rate of $400.00 per month; this includes access to computers/ network, support amenities and daily meals. Veterans enjoy the congeniality of a Veteran House Manager. The house manager is a Veterans who works directly with program staff, and will encourage fellow Veterans in their self-improvement, staying on task, and support independent development.

For more information, visit:

2290 Willow Pass Road, Concord, CA
(925) 822-3175
Email: info@vahouse.org

Jerome Hudson
Adjutant, Lt. Jerry Novakovich Post 1525
925-672-3007
Email: hudsonjk@astound.net

COVID-19 Update:
Please note that while DVC instruction is being offered remotely, Jerry is offering face-to-face tutoring at the Veterans Hall. Please contact him directly to set up an appointment.