June 2026
Summer is almost here, and the West LA VA campus is abuzz with activity!
This season means longer days, warmer temperatures, and plenty of opportunities to get outside, meet new people, enjoy different activities, and explore the many possibilities that lie ahead.
At West LA VA, there is much to look forward to as the campus continues to evolve to better serve Veterans and their families. Construction on Veteran housing and infrastructure improvements is ongoing, and many exciting projects are planned for the months ahead – keep reading for some of the details!
Our June newsletter covers recent developments, upcoming events, a staff spotlight, and much more! Stay tuned each month as we continue to keep you updated on the latest news from this very special campus.
You’re Invited to Watch an Original Play, Written & Performed by Veterans
 You’re invited to a totally original play, written and performed by Veterans from New Directions at West LA! This year’s play is titled “Nashville ‘76” and here’s a teaser: “Music hopefuls face mysteries from the unknown at a Nashville bicentennial celebration.” Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it?
Every year, Veteran residents and alumni of the New Directions for Veterans transitional housing program (Building 116 at West LA VA) write and perform a play with the help of Imagination Workshop, a non-profit theater arts organization that helps Veterans heal through theater.
Click here to get a first look at the play and hear from the Veteran actors!
Marine Corps Veteran Rob Slaughter, who’s working on the play for his third year in a row, says it’s been incredibly impactful in his life. “I stop and think about all of the years of my life I didn’t come to Imagination Workshop. What was I doing with my time?”
“It may seem like just fun and games in the beginning, but over time it becomes a very serious, important thing to you – almost like part of your new foundation for life,” he said. Slaughter encourages everyone to come enjoy the play.
Admission is free and no tickets are required. It takes place on Saturday, June 13th at 8 p.m. at Brentwood School Theater, 100 S. Barrington Place, Los Angeles, CA 90049. We hope to see you there!
More Than 100 Veterans Served at West LA VA Mobile Dental Clinic
 April’s free Mobile Dental Clinic for Veterans at West LA VA was a huge success! 102 Veterans had their dental needs taken care of by the compassionate team at USC Dentistry in partnership with Village for Vets and VA.
272 appointments were created for Veterans, with 1,373 dental procedures scheduled. 40 Veterans were referred to the USC Union Rescue Mission Clinic (sister clinic to the Mobile Dental Clinic), where they’ll continue their care to receive dentures or have other advanced needs addressed.
“I had been experiencing some pain in my teeth so it was a blessing to be provided with free care for Veterans,” said Marine Corps Veteran Luis Solorzano, who was seen at the clinic. “I’m very grateful for it.”
Lots of gratitude to these dedicated partners and to all who helped to make this clinic so impactful for Veterans!
VA Issues RFP to Build Housing for 220 Veterans at West LA
 On May 21, VA issued a request for proposals (RFP) to build approximately 220 temporary units to house Veterans at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center north campus.
The RFP invites companies to submit proposals for delivering the housing units by the end of calendar year 2026 in accordance with VA’s clinically driven specifications. Initial proposals are due by June 23, 2026, and VA expects to award the contract, worth up to $30 million, by August 2026.
Click here to read a press release about the RFP.
VA Greater Los Angeles Is Now a Change Maker Accelerator
Exciting news! VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) is one of 26 organizations selected to participate in the National Academy of Medicine (NAM)’s Change Maker Accelerators cohort.
So what does that mean? As a Change Maker Accelerator, VAGLAHS joins a group of health care organizations dedicated to reducing burnout and supporting clinician well-being.
Burnout has been linked to lower patient satisfaction, medical errors and poorer health outcomes for Veterans. By VAGLAHS participating in this program and supporting clinicians, it will directly improve the quality of care for Veterans across Greater Los Angeles.
We are honored by this selection and are looking forward to adding this program to VAGLAHS’ overall work to address health workforce burnout. Click here to read more about the program.
Two Buildings at West LA VA Win Preservation Design Honor
Two residential buildings for Veterans at West LA VA are officially award-winning! 707 and 717 Bonsall Ave. have been honored with the 2026 California Preservation Design Award in the category of Rehabilitation.
These two properties, developed by Century Housing of The Veterans Collective, are what’s known as “adaptive reuse,” meaning, older buildings are refurbished to meet the needs of modern residents. Click here to scroll through some more photos of the buildings.
Originally constructed in the 1920s as a tuberculosis hospital complex on campus, the buildings have been beautifully restored with contemporary comforts while retaining original features including terrazzo flooring, marble wainscot, and wood handrails. The properties opened in October of last year with 110 apartments for Veterans.
Congratulations to The Veterans Collective on this honor. We look forward to seeing Veteran residents enjoy these properties for many years to come!
Meet Air Force Veteran & VAGLAHS Employee Scott Dunn
 Meet Scott Dunn, Maintenance Mechanic at VAGLAHS’ Los Angeles Ambulatory Care Center for the past 10 years and Air Force Veteran!
If you spend any time at LAACC, you’ve probably seen Scott hard at work keeping the facility in tip-top shape for Veterans, staff, and visitors.
Scott says he enjoys coming to work every day and is always ready to roll up his sleeves and tackle any task that helps improve the clinic environment.
Scott’s own successful journey with VA services has informed the level of commitment, care, and meticulousness he shows in his everyday work.
An alumnus of VA’s Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) programs, Scott credits VA with helping to change his life and put him on course to the rewarding career he has today. Click here to read more about Scott!
Small Steps, Big Impact: How Fall Prevention Is Helping Veterans
 Medicine often focuses on treating injuries after they happen, but the fall prevention program at the West LA VA Community Living Center (CLC) is flipping the script by celebrating preventive success.
“For Veterans, there is a lot of literature that shows how detrimental a fall can be, and it just snowballs into other issues pertaining to their physical condition, their mental status, [and] their quality of life,” said Lily Tseng, Nurse Manager at the CLC.
Recognizing just how serious those consequences can be, the CLC has a comprehensive fall prevention program and recently launched a fall prevention recognition effort celebrating Veterans at different milestones in their journey. Click here to read our latest blog post about this powerful effort and what it’s doing for Veterans!
Antelope Valley VA Clinic Hosts First Mini Stand Down for Veterans
 The Antelope Valley VA Clinic proudly hosted a food and clothing giveaway for Veterans on April 30, bringing together community partners and resources to support those who served. Click here to watch a video about the special day!
The event, coordinated by VA’s Center for Development & Civic Engagement (CDCE) and clinic staff, provided clothing, non-perishable food items, home goods, and access to valuable resources for Veteran attendees. A free lunch was also served to the 75 Veterans who participated. They hope to make it a regular event going forward!
This event wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of Village for Vets, Warner Bros. Pictures, Soldiers’ Angels, Baby2Baby, and the Foundation for Women Warriors. Thank you to all of the volunteers, donors, and partners who helped make this day a success and showed our Veterans the strength of community support!
Stop by for Fresh Produce & a Fresh Cooked Meal!
 Are you a Veteran who’s looking to eat healthier and add some fresh-grown goodness to your diet?
Every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Dr. Peter Capone-Newton hosts Cooking for Whole Health at the West LA VA Peer Center (Building 306). He brings the ingredients, prepares the food, and leaves a warm meal ready to serve - as well as teaches nutrition and healthy cooking skills.
Veteran participation is encouraged! Meals are available to all Veterans on a first-come, first-served basis. The Peer Center Farm Stand is also set up every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., where Veterans can stop by for some garden-grown produce.
Veterans could head home with strawberries, zucchini, asparagus, radishes, squash, and more — all organically grown and harvested the same day from the Veterans Garden. Click here to see some photos of the delicious bounty. Come by on Thursdays and check out these healthy, delicious opportunities firsthand!
Submit Your Veteran Event or News Item!
 If you have a suggestion for a topic that affects Veterans in the GLA area (particularly West LA VA campus residents), we want to hear from you! Good topic ideas offer new or timely information, and helpful or actionable items for readers.
To be considered, please send the following information to VHAGLAMASTERPLAN@VA.gov.
- The information you’re wanting to share.
- Please provide relevant details such as dates/times/links.
- Why this is beneficial for Veterans.
- Feel free to include flyers or other materials for reference.
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