Opening day of Tustin Veterans Outpost is fast approaching. I look forward to welcoming homeless veterans to their new home.
So many individuals, civic groups, corporations and the Tustin City Council have partnered with me to make Tustin Veterans Outpost a reality. With much of the materials and labor donated by various contractors and manufacturers, my team and I have renovated an apartment complex, to be opened for the first residents this summer. Residents of Tustin will find the apartment complex renovation to be a great improvement and an asset in our city.
Did you know that veterans cannot access their benefits and services if they don’t have an address? This is just one of the ways we can serve homeless veterans with Tustin Veterans Outpost. Not only will the Outpost give them the address they need to access their benefits, but their case managers are able to coach them to navigate the often complicated system of VA benefits.
Thirty –two veterans will reside in the transitional housing apartment complex. A case manager, who is also a veteran, along with a house couple living on site, will maintain a safe and calm place to live. The community will build on the veterans’ camaraderie to provide the support to change.
At the core of Orange County Rescue Mission’s Tustin Veterans Outpost, it is my purpose that every homeless veteran who wants to change his or her life has the opportunity. Tustin Veterans Outpost is a hand up, not a hand out. It will be a place to find the relief, restoration and empowerment each homeless veteran needs to fully transition to civilian life.
If you know a veteran that is in need of help, or a veteran service group that is in need of a housing referral, contact James Kaura, Orange County Rescue Mission’s Veterans Outreach Coordinator. Contact James by calling 714-247-4300 or james.kaura@rescuemission.org.

James is a U.S. Navy Veteran, with just under 10 years of active duty service. He advanced in rank to an E-5 Petty Officer Second Class, VF-101 Miramar Detachment. James completed his service at NAS Mirimar as a Quality Assurance Shift Supervisor, where he was responsible for performing Final Inspections of all F-14A/B/D Tomcat fighter jets. He remained at this duty station until he honorably separated from service in 1996.
Show your support of veterans by giving to Orange County Rescue Mission’s Tustin Veterans Outpost. Click here to donate or learn more.