In anticipation of Tustin Veterans Outpost opening in a few weeks, I have introduced to you the needs of veterans and how the Tustin Veterans Outpost will serve them. Today I would like to introduce to you the staff who are part of the Tustin Veterans Outpost team: veterans who are continuing to serve others.
James Kaura, Veterans Outreach Coordinator, and Rick Owens, Veterans Case Manager, are part of the team that will be supporting the veterans at the Tustin Veterans Outpost. Veterans themselves, they are familiar with the challenges of adjusting to civilian life after leaving the military.  Even after two months of job searching after leaving the Marines, Rick still did not have a job. He lived with family and volunteered until he finally found employment, three weeks after his last military paycheck. Rick says that, “if it was not for the support of family and friends I don’t know what I would have done.” James too had a supportive community aiding him in his transition back into civilian life. Both of these men recognize the importance of a community to offer support and guidance during this transition, and have chosen to give back to their fellow vets through their service here at Tustin Veterans Outpost.
Here is a little about each of these men, and how they will be serving the vets at the Veterans Outpost.

James: As the Veterans Outreach Coordinator, I assist veterans in need by connecting with them out in the community, and then helping them to get into Orange County Rescue Mission’s Veterans Outpost. I help veterans to become aware of the various veteran benefit programs that are available to them, and teach them how to access the benefits in the sometimes confusing VA system. I also establish and maintain collaborative relationships with other veteran-focused community organizations.  At Tustin Veterans Outpost we provide the transitional housing that many other organizations are not able to provide.

Rick: As Veterans Case Manager, I hope to be able to help veterans unlock the strengths that they already possess within themselves. I want to help create an environment where healing can take place for visible and non-visible wounds. I hope I can be impactful in helping veterans and civilians create cohesive, integrated communities of healing for all people. At Orange County Rescue Mission we give people a hand up to become restored and empowered for self-sufficiency. As a case manager, I will do the same but with a unique focus on how to help veterans.
Our mission, whether at Tustin Veterans Outpost, Village of Hope or another of our campuses, is to minister the love of Jesus Christ to the least, the last and the lost. Serving homeless veterans has become another way to live out that mission. If you have a concern for veterans, join me by giving and volunteering.