Village for Vets’ new Executive Director Ben Perdue joins us with 12+ years of leadership experience with West LA VA homeless programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), HUD-Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH), and Grant and Per Diem (GPD). Ben has previously developed and directed outreach and peer support operations to engage and serve 1000+ Veterans annually from San Luis Obispo to Long Beach. He proudly served in the US Navy as a Boatswain’s Mate, involved with multiple deployments in the Middle East and Asia while stationed in Japan aboard frigate USS Curts (FFG-38) and destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG-56). Ben obtained his bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) at Indiana University East with a minor in psychology and certification in drug and alcohol abuse. He received his master’s degree in social work (MSW) at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

A gloomy overcast day at West Los Angeles VA Medical Center on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 set the stage for a very successful Stand Down Event. In fact so successful that there was a 65% year over year increase in attendance. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 834 Veterans made their way to the largest annual event serving unhoused and at-risk Veterans and their families.

On August 25, 2023 a group of Veterans gathered to participate in an art therapy event hosted by Village for Vets and Piece by Piece LA. Piece by Piece believes that through free art workshops, and a safe welcoming community individuals who have experienced economic hardship are provided with the tools to heal, build community and master skills to earn income. Their mission is to empower residents who have experienced homelessness or economic insecurity by providing free mosaic art workshops enabling them to build confidence, earn supplementary income, promote wellness and an improved quality of life.

Village for Vets was given a national award and asked to attend the virtual award ceremony at the VA on August 17th, 2023.

On May 24, 2023 Councilwoman Traci Park awarded Village for Vets with a certificate of recognition for “outstanding service and positively contributing to the great cultural melting pot of the city.” This certificate and being named one of her Park’s Picks is an example of our dedication to creating community and government partnerships and working toward the common goal of making Los Angeles a better place for Veterans to live, work, and thrive.

Furniture and housewares are one of the top unmet needs of formerly homeless and low income Veterans. We believe that by meeting this need, we are contributing to helping Vets remain securely housed.

Village for Vets hosts art therapy event for Veterans at Heroes Golf Course.

Village for Vets helps the VA put on an Easter celebration for Veterans in need.

This month, a team of students, staff, and volunteers from Brentwood School and Village for Vets mounted an effort to assemble 179 welcome home kits for Veterans. These Vets will be moving into permanent supportive housing in buildings 205, 207, & 208 on the West LA VA Campus. Leasing has already begun for building 207 and Veterans are moving in this month.

Village for Vets latest dental clinic in partnership with Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry USC wrapped up last week with an incredible 106 Veterans receiving over 200 procedures. The services provided include regular care and deep cleanings, along with root canals, extractions and fillings. It's all provided by dental students and overseen by faculty. Providing a service that is difficult for Veterans to get from the VA is just one way that we fill in gaps in services for Veterans in Los Angeles.