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MVA Monthly Thread Newsletter - August 2025

County of Los Angeles, California sent this bulletin at 08/29/2025 02:00 PM PDT

The official monthly newsletter of the LA County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

AUGUST 2025
ISSUE 1 | VOL 1

UPCOMING EVENTS

Featured Event

The 6th Annual Heroes in the Shadows Veteran Stand Down takes place Sept. 12–13, 2025, at Whittier Narrows Recreation Area in South El Monte. This two-day event will provide veterans with meals, services, housing and legal support, and an employment fair with career opportunities.

Interested veteran participants contact:
Joe Leal: 909-200-8960 joe@vethunters.org

Interested community partners contact:
Leo Chirinos: 626-429-7957 leo.chirinos@jvs-socal.org

September Events

Sept. 1 - Office Closure in Observance of Labor Day Holiday

Sept. 4 - Staff Training Closure @BHPH

Sept. 11 - JIV Subcommittee Meeting @BHPH

Sept. 12 - 2025 Suicide Prevention Summit: Collaborative Care Day

Sept. 12-13 - San Gabriel Valley Veteran Stand Down @El Monte

Sept. 13 - 2025 Suicide Prevention Summit: Community Day @Pasadena City College

Sept. 13 - Marching On: Veteran Services Collaborative BBQ @Newhall

Sept. 17 - Veteran Advisory Commission Meeting @BHPH

Sept. 20-22 - Compton Veteran Stand Down @Compton

Sept. 22 - Sepulveda Bunker Social Grand Opening @Sepulveda VA

Sept. 27 - Victory Remembered: Honoring Korean War Veterans

Events listed reflect those MVA | VPAN will be hosting or participating in.

SEE ALL EVENTS

SERVICE SPOTLIGHT

July Award Winners

Monthly award winners gain recognition, advance to the quarterly competition, and boost their professional profiles.

Veterans Service Officer:
Keith Niesen (MVA)

MVA Support Service Staff:
Joel Castellanos

Battle Buddy:
*Tie* Brock Milhorn (JVS-SD5) & Veronica Hernandez (JVS-SD1)

DMH VMFS Support Service Staff:
Claudia Segura

Community Partner:
Bryan Palomera (PATH SSVF)

Creative Solution:
Jessica Zarley (JVS SoCal SSVF)

Volunteer:
Maria Barragan (MVA)

Q4 FY2025 Award Winners

Quarterly award winners earn added recognition, receive special prizes, and advance to the annual awards.

VPAN Supervisorial District:
JVS-SD5

Program Manager:
Enrique Conchas (JVS-SD5)

Veterans Service Officer:
Jeremiah Pitts

MVA Support Service Staff:
Veloice Crosby, Jr.

Battle Buddy:
Valerie Molina (DMH VMFS)

Support Line Agent:
Gilbert Cabrera (DMH VMFS)

DMH VMFS Support Service Staff:
Alejandro Vasquez

Community Partner:
Anthony Rodriguez (CalVet)

Creative Solution:
Monica Speed (Antelope Valley JVS SSVF)

Volunteer:
Nonna Waterman (Antelope Valley Veterans Information Center)

Honorable Mentions

This category recognizes individuals who are nominated in a category they have already won during the current fiscal year. While they remain eligible for recognition, past recipients cannot compete in the same category more than once within a single fiscal year.

VPAN Program Manager of the Quarter:
Leo Chirinos (JVS-SD1)

VPAN SD of the Quarter:
JVS-SD1

August Nominations

The LA County Veteran Service Awards, presented by MVA, DMH–VMFS, and community partners, honor those going the extra mile for veterans and families.

Anyone in the military & veteran community can nominate and vote — you don’t need to be a veteran or work for government.
Nominations Due: Sept. 2 (midnight)
Voting: The following week

SUBMIT A NOMINATION

Service Provider Spotlight

Cherry Villanueva
Veteran Claims Assistant II (MVA)

"I am truly grateful for the personal investment Mrs. Villanueva made in my case. It is clear that she not only possesses expert knowledge but also a genuine passion for advocating on behalf of veterans. I cannot thank her enough for the impact she made on my life. She is a tremendous asset, and I consider myself fortunate to have worked with her."

—José Salazar
US Marine Corps Veteran

Spotlight on Services

Veteran Peer Connections

The Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN) has peers in every Supervisorial District across LA County, building connection through community events, outreach, and shared experiences. Whether it’s helping veterans find jobs, get to appointments, or simply connect with others, peers provide trusted support that strengthens wellbeing and combats isolation.

CONNECT WITH VPAN

VA Claims Assistance

Filing a VA claim can feel overwhelming but MVA is here to help. Accredited Veteran Service Officers (VSO) work directly with veterans and families to prepare and submit claims for disability compensation, pensions, education, and more. This FREE service provides expert guidance every step of the way so veterans can access the benefits they have earned.

CONNECT WITH A VSO