OEF/OIF VETERANS AND FRIENDS INVITED TO OPEN HOUSE IN PACOIMA
 

Los Angeles, CA — On Friday, April 17, 2009, New Directions, Inc. will hold an open house at its Operation Welcome Home branch office in Pacoima.  Neighbors, community leaders and veterans of all generations are invited to attend.   Orientation for new clients, staff introductions and tours of the facility are planned during the event. 

New Directions opened the office in late 2008, in an effort to provide resources and information to veterans in the San Fernando Valley.  Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) can obtain benefits counseling, employment assistance and case management at the one-stop service center.  Veterans who need housing assistance or mental health services may be referred to other programs within New Directions or at partner service agencies.

“Often vets feel like they don’t fit in after they return from combat,” says New Directions Associate Director Rachel Feldstein.  “We want to be there to help them receive the services they deserve and get the information and support they need.”

The April 17th open house will begin at 1:30 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

The Operation Welcome Home office is staffed Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and open at other times by appointment.  Services are provided inside the offices of Chrysalis, at 14015 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite E, Arleta, CA  91331.  Veterans may call (818) 899-9873 for more information.

Founded in 1992, New Directions is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that operates five residential facilities and serves hundreds of veterans each year.   An estimated 20,000 homeless veterans live on the streets of Los Angeles.