 
Help yourself and others by joining the 14th Annual VA2K Walk & Roll on May 15, 2024. This annual event is held to inspire people to incorporate healthy activity into their day while supporting VA homelessness programs. VA Long Beach Healthcare System's event will start at 12:00 p.m. in Patriot Park at the Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center.
To help local homeless Veteran programs, participants are encouraged to bring a voluntary donation such as hygiene kits, feminine hygiene products, pet food and pet bedding, toiletries, or bottled water. Please know that donations are not required in order to participate in the VA2K.
The event, sponsored by VA Employee Whole Health, is open to Veterans, community members, and VA employees. VA-wide, more than 26,000 participated in 2023 at 140 locations and raised upwards of $250,000 worth of donated items.
The 2-kilometer walk is designed to be covered in about 20 minutes. You can walk it or “roll” it with a walker or wheelchair! Either way, this event is a great way to add a little physical activity to your day and enjoy the sunshine.
Suicide is Preventable and Support is Available
Suicide has no single cause and no single approach can prevent it—but prevention is possible, especially when women Veterans find support before a crisis happens.
Women Veterans may have unique experiences related to military service, health and well-being, or trauma that can increase the risk of suicide. Some also face medical and social issues that affect relationships and quality of life. Military service can lead to readjustment issues, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trouble sleeping, or even physical injury. Additionally, reproductive health conditions that women Veterans sometimes face may take a toll on their mental health.
VA is committed to offering a growing range of resources and a network of support for all women Veterans, including those who do not, and may never, seek care within the VA health care system. Whether it's mental health care or treatment for chronic pain or other health concerns, VA can provide personalized, gender-tailored care to help women Veterans. Each VA medical center also has a Suicide Prevention Coordinator to connect women Veterans to counseling and services.
Additionally, creating a safety plan now, by identifying coping strategies and sources of support, can help give suicidal thoughts time to decrease and become more manageable in a future crisis. Download the VA Safety Plan app or create one together with your VA health care team.
The Veterans Crisis Line is free, confidential, and available 24/7. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. Veterans, family, and friends can reach out. Dial 988 and press 1, text 828255, or chat online. Visit the VA Women’s Health suicide prevention page for more resources.
Call 1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636) to speak to a real person and connect to VA women’s health care.
 
When: Tuesday, May 14, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, Patriot Park
Celebrate researchers’ contributions to both the Veteran and the Health Science communities.
Learn how to participate in clinical trials and listen to a Veteran panel share their experience in VA research participation.
A light lunch will be served to the attendees.
This event is free and open to all Veterans and VA staff.
When: Wednesday, June 5, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, The Learning Center, bldg. 165, rm. D101
Event will showcase VA innovation and ideas that have led to positive change throughout the VA hospital.
Projects will be displayed for viewing and will be graded with awards given to best projects.
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 When: May 9, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic, 20800 Madrona Ave., Suite C-100, Torrance, CA 90503
Register
 When: May 18, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Artesia Park, 18750 Clarkdale Ave., Artesia, CA 90701
For additional information, call 562-403-0488 or email Tanya.
 Save the date! Celebrate Pride and support our LGBTQ+ Veterans and employees by marching with the VA Long Beach Healthcare System in the annual Long Beach Pride Parade on May 19th, 2024. Additional details to follow over the next month. Please contact LGBVTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator Megan Mortensen, LCSW with any questions.
 When: May 25, 2024 | 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 4505 Katella Avenue, Building B, Los Alamitos, CA 90720
RSVP with Chaplain Doreen Matsumoto for luncheon - 714-809-1658
 Honoring Our Heroes is a free, family-friendly citywide event that honors and celebrates military service members who have died in the line of duty, while also uplifting the local Long Beach Veteran community, which comprises more than 15,000 Veterans and their families. The program will include:
- Live patriotic music;
- Flyovers with historic aircraft;
- Exhibition drills by Lakewood High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps;
- An information fair and family-friendly activities featuring local, historical, and Veteran-led and veteran-serving community organizations;
- A brief program, starting at 6:45 p.m., with special guest speakers; and,
- At sunset, a flag ceremony and the playing of Taps to honor our fallen service members.
Honoring Our Heroes: A Sunset Ceremony complements Los Angeles Fleet Week, which takes place from May 24 through May 27 at the L.A. Waterfront at the Port of Los Angeles. As Sunday’s Fleet Week activities conclude for the day, Long Beach’s Memorial Day celebration begins. The Port of Long Beach is the lead sponsor for this event. Limited free parking is available at the Navy Memorial site. Overflow paid parking is available in the Queensway Bay/Aquarium parking garage (99 Aquarium Way).
If you are interested in attending Honoring Our Heroes: A Sunset Ceremony, please email Gina Overholt.
 When: May 31, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 1822 W. 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247
For more information:
Grant Smith
310-680-3700
 When: June 5, 2024 | 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where: 4852 Lakeview Ave., Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Pre-Register
U.S. Congresswomen Grace Napolitano and Judy Chu Veterans Forum
When: June 15, 2024 | 8:00 a.m.
Where: National Guard Armory, 1351 W. Sierra Madre Ave., Azusa, CA 91702
Contact: 626-350-0150
Free information and services available for Veterans and families
 When: Every 4th Tuesday of the month
Where: CERS Welcome Center, Community Partner Room
Contact Information: 800-399-4529, email Veterans Intake
  MyVA411
The VA Podcast Network offers a diverse selection of top-quality podcasts made with a Veteran community in mind. Each podcast specializes on a different topic and covers gripping content that no Veteran should want to miss out on.
Work with us!
Find VA Long Beach Healthcare System jobs on USA Jobs.
Find out how to work with us in other ways!
VA Caregiver Support Line
1-855-260-3274 toll-free
Disclaimer of Endorsement:
Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
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