Ventura College has been awarded a $150,000 grant through the Veterans Mental Health Demonstration Project. As one of only ten community colleges across California to receive this critical funding aimed at enhancing mental health and wellness support for veteran students, Ventura College will be able to commit even more resources to fostering a supportive and inclusive campus environment for veterans.
Provided through the California Chancellors Office, the grant aims to bolster mental health outreach and peer support for veterans transitioning from military to civilian life. These funds are particularly vital to Ventura College as its Veteran Resource Center (VRC) served more than 370 veteran students in the 2022-2023 school year.
Established in 2014, Ventura College's VRC is an essential support system for student veterans. One of the key deliverables for this grant will be proactive outreach strategies in collaboration with partners such as CalVet (California Department of Veterans Affairs) and CALTAP (California Transition Assistance Program).
"I am thrilled to spearhead this grant,” said Elizabeth Vasquez, who leads the Veterans Resource Center. “I’ve witnessed the unique mental health needs of our student veterans, and I am excited to contribute to solutions that will create an environment of unconditional belonging on our campus. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have served our country.”
The grant will also enhance the VRC's existing wellness initiatives through programs like the Veteran Mentor Project, which is led by Professor James Espinoza. The program offers peer-to-peer support to ensure veterans have a safe space to discuss their challenges and share their experiences.
The expanded wellness approach will include comprehensive support such as mental health counseling, physical wellness programs like yoga, and nutrition workshops. Mental Health Supervisor Andrew Nelson, LMFT, and campus therapy dog Bing Bong are “beyond excited for this opportunity to support the VRC's goal of supporting Veteran mental health!”
“The VRC has taken significant steps in recent years to engage their students with mental health support (embedded therapists, group therapy, increased mental health referrals), and this funding allows them to level up big time and continue to crush mental health (in a good way)," said Nelson.
With the support of this grant, Ventura College is poised to elevate the VRC's outreach and is ready to engage students with even more mental health and wellness resources. This semester, the VRC launched a new text line to provide real-time assistance for veterans facing crises.
"This funding will enhance the veteran-centered mental health programming—helping veterans build resilience, foster community, and thrive both academically and personally," said Laura Hamilton, NP, coordinator of the Ventura College Student Health Center.
The Veteran Resource Center at Ventura College has been a place of connection and support for our veteran students for a decade. This opportunity for expansion will provide even greater resources to help our veteran students thrive academically and personally.