August 2026
August is underway and summer is in full swing here at West LA VA! The campus is always abuzz with activity as construction continues on more permanent supportive housing for Veterans – as well as infrastructure and support services to help strengthen this growing community.
Veterans and community partners are also connecting through recreation, art, wellness programs, healthy foods, and many other activities and opportunities across campus.
Each of these efforts contributes to our shared vision of creating a thriving, one-of-a-kind community that supports Veterans and helps advance the goal of ending Veteran homelessness.
Read on for the latest campus updates, highlights from recent events, ways to get involved, and more!
Veterans Tee Off at 3rd Annual Golf Championship
More than 30 Veterans recently came together for a day of friendly competition, connection, and fun during the 3rd Annual Veteran Heroes Golf Club Championship at West LA VA!
Participants played for the opportunity to have their name engraved on the championship plaque — and, of course, earn bragging rights as this year’s champion.
Hosted by two Veteran-centric nonprofits, the Bandini Foundation and Vets Whole in One, the tournament was about much more than golf. Veterans began the day with meditation and a healthy açaí bowl before heading onto the course. Afterward, they gathered for lunch to relax, reconnect, and celebrate the day’s accomplishments together.
Heroes Golf Course is Building 329 on the West LA VA campus. Veterans can play golf and pickleball for free! Visit HeroesGolfCourse.com or call the clubhouse at 310-230-2052 to learn more.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s tournament such a memorable event. We’re already looking forward to next year!
More Veteran Housing Opening Soon on Campus
A strong turnout of Veterans attended the first of two leasing events for 748 Bonsall Ave., the newest residential building at West LA VA, opening this summer!
748 Bonsall Ave. will feature 37 furnished apartments for formerly homeless Veterans, each equipped with a bedroom set, dining table, refrigerator, and stove – plus a welcome kit offering all the essentials for a new home.
Living on campus provides Veterans with more than just stable, affordable housing — it offers convenient access to healthcare, resources, programs, and the opportunity to build lasting connections within a supportive Veteran community.
Once this building is open, there will be 766 permanent supportive housing units for Veterans on campus, with hundreds of other Veterans living at West LA VA in the Community Living Centers, Domiciliary, and emergency shelter programs – with many more to come.
We look forward to welcoming our newest residents and seeing 748 Bonsall Ave. become another place Veterans can proudly call home!
Campus-Grown Produce Helps Nourish & Support Veterans in Need
By Daphne Wright, Navy Veteran
Food insecurity remains a serious challenge across California, with Veterans who’ve experienced homelessness among those most deeply affected.
To help address this challenge, VA Greater Los Angeles has partnered with GrowGood, a nonprofit social enterprise using urban agriculture to support low income and unhoused communities.
Every week, our partners at GrowGood bring fresh, organic produce grown right here on the West LA VA campus directly to Veterans. From squash and herbs to leafy greens, these distributions offer nourishment, connection, and hope.
The Veteran team hosts regular distribution events on Tuesdays at the Polytrauma open space between Buildings 500 and 304 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. All items are grown locally at the Veterans Garden — 15 acres of farmland on campus, behind Jackie Robinson Stadium, supported by the VA Whole Health Program.
Community collaboration is helping us fight hunger and support wellness for Veterans across Greater Los Angeles. Learn more about this partnership at Grow-Good.org.
Veteran Housing Construction Continues on Campus
Construction continues at a rapid pace across the West LA VA campus as we work to expand permanent supportive housing for Veterans!
Each new property brings us another step closer to ending Veteran homelessness and creating a vibrant, supportive community for our residents.
This progress would not be possible without the commitment of Veterans, staff, community partners, and all who share our mission of ensuring Veterans have the support and resources they need to thrive.
Click here to watch the latest video about construction and housing progress on the West LA VA campus!
Recreation and Wellbeing Expo Connects Veterans with Community Resources
Veterans, families, community organizations, and service providers recently gathered at West LA VA’s Jackie Robinson Stadium for the annual Veteran Recreation and Wellbeing Expo!
Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed free food and drinks, interactive recreation and wellness activities, raffle giveaways, and opportunities to connect with dozens of organizations offering valuable programs and resources.
Every Veteran received a complimentary tote bag to collect information and giveaways while exploring the event and learning about services designed to support their health and well-being.
Hosted by the UCLA/VA Veteran Family Wellbeing Center and the Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative, the annual event helps Veterans discover new resources, build meaningful relationships, and become more engaged with programs throughout the community.
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this year’s event such a success. We look forward to seeing you at the next one!
Come Make a Mosaic & Meet Some New People!
Veterans are invited to express their creativity — and meet some new people — during free weekly mosaic classes at Heroes Golf Course!
Hosted by local nonprofit Piece by Piece in partnership with Village for Vets, the classes use art to help Veterans share stories of resilience, healing, and growth.
Classes take place each Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Heroes Golf Course (Building 329) at West LA VA. Piece by Piece provides all art supplies, and Village for Vets provides lunch.
The classes have been extended through the end of December, giving Veterans plenty of time to begin and complete their own mosaic creations!
No previous art experience is needed. Participants can simply show up, and the instructors will guide them through the process every step of the way!
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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