Home Preservation Program
Each year, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) partners with low-income homeowners to provide critical health and safety repairs to the interior and exterior of their homes. For example, if you are a veteran now using a wheelchair and you are in need of a wheelchair ramp, you may qualify. To determine if you qualify, homeowners must submit a complete program application along with documentation to establish their eligibility. Participant selection is based on funding, the need of the homeowner, and the condition of the home. Funding is limited and not all eligible applicants will be selected.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY, AND TO APPLY, CLICK HERE: https://www.habitatla.org/how-to-apply/home-repair-program/
This program is not affiliated with NAVA, but we see it as a great resource for our members.
VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT
Preserve your history for future generations. Download and fill out the form below, and we will help schedule your video interview which will be sent to the Library of Congress.
DOWNLOAD FORM HERE
Some Discussion Questions:
1. Biographical Details
• Where and when veteran was born.
• Family details: parents’ occupation, number and gender of siblings.
• What veteran was doing before entering the service.
• Other family members who served in the military.
2. Early Days of Service
• How veteran entered service – draft or enlistment.
• Departure for training camp, early days of training.
• Adapting to military life: physical regimen, barracks, food, social life.
3. Wartime Service
• Where veteran served.
• Action witnessed, or duties away from the front line.
• If applicable, emotions relating to combat – witnessing casualties, destruction.
• Friendships formed and camaraderie of service.
• How veteran stayed in touch with family and friends back home.
• Recreation or off-duty pursuits.
4. War’s End, Coming Home
• Where veteran was when war ended.
• How he or she returned home.
• Reception by family and community.
• Readjustment to civilian life.
• Contact with fellow veterans over the years; membership in veteran’s organizations.
5. Reflections
• How wartime experiences affected veteran’s life.
• Life lessons learned from military service.
Informational talking Circles
On the second Saturday of every month NAVA hosts gatherings from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at South Gate Girl's Club House, Room A, located at 4940 Southern Avenue, South Gate, CA 90280. (Gatherings now moved online via Zoom while we wait out the COVID-19 crisis.) The gatherings provide free meals to veterans, active duty military and their families and opportunities for veterans to band in unity and support. Guest speakers are invited to inform and inspire veterans on various topics: from human services, housing, healthcare, veteran’s business development and small business administration, VA benefits resources and services, veteran’s senior services, employment and training, tribal benefits, and local resources for tribal veterans. Additionally, it is a venue to share our culture through storytelling, drumming, and other artistic endeavors, an important aspect of our social and spiritual gathering.
NAVA Color Guard
The “Guard” ushers in the flags at all NAVA sponsored events honoring all veterans and inviting the community to pay their respect to veterans in a unique way. The NAVA Color Guard is dedicated to assisting grieving families to ensure our veterans receive the funeral honors to which they are entitled (honorably discharged). We are currently recruiting for our Color Guard. Please contact Roy at (888) 412-5997 or at turningbear5@frontier.com. NAVA Color Guard is temporarily not able to accept requests.
Traditional Healing Ceremonies
NAVA brings veterans, members of the military and their families together as needed at no cost. “Ceremony” is an essential part of traditional Native healing; because physical and spiritual health are intimately connected, body and spirit must heal together.
Two-day Annual Veterans Appreciation and Cultural Gathering
The event honors the beauty, strength, spirit, and endurance of Native American culture; it provides the arena, atmosphere, and incentives for the continuance of the traditional American Indian way of life. The Gathering is a tribute to Native Americans that goes well beyond wartime survival; it serves as a testament to the preservation of our unique cultural values. Native Americans are strong, patient, wise and deeply spiritual people and we will continue to flourish in the 21st century. The two-day event shares our traditions and culture through songs, dances, food and the arts; the city of South Gate and Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation are major stakeholders and provide the venue.
Annual NAVA Summit
The NAVA Summit was designed to build on the good work of local and national organizations and agencies who share our mission: to provide and/or connect vital services to American Indian retired veterans and individuals currently serving in the military and their families. The Summit is open to service providers who want to keep their professional development continuous. Moreover, the programs are offered at no cost to Veterans and their families; they are valuable, enriching and in some cases life-saving experiences while helping the most deserving groups of Americans - veterans, active duty military. Plenary sessions cover relevant topics including but not limited to veteran’s readjustment, mental health and wellness, employment and training, families and relationships.