CFVR.org

Citizens For Veterans' Rights (CFVR) is a non-partisan, all volunteer, 501 (c) 3 non-profit, veterans advocacy organization comprised of veterans, community members and business owners based in Los Angeles who work to ensure that the West Los Angeles Veterans' Affairs Medical Center and the land it is situated on remains dedicated to direct services for veterans only.

CFVR advocates that the best way to protect the WLA VA property from commercial development and misuse is by putting federal protection into place for the entirety of the original grants and deeds used to establish a permanent home for veterans of the United States military.

We strongly believe that the protection as written in its final form should be iron-clad -- without loopholes of any kind that allow for commercial development or any use that does not directly benefit veterans.

CFVR is the only non-VSO organization in the Los Angeles area that continues to advocate for direct services to veterans on the WLA VA property, a process that began in 2005, with the development of the Comprehensive Plan for Veterans' Services.

Development of this plan includes reaching out to veterans, veteran service organizations, community members and community groups for input. Thus far we have established three priorities:

  • Medical services and rehabilitation for returning wounded OIF and OEF Veterans including full funding and staffing of the Level II Polytrauma Center. Simultaneous attention to all veterans that qualify for medical benefits.
  • Additional transitional housing units on the WLA grounds for homeless veterans and plans beyond the WLA VA Medical Center (VISN22) that immediately care for as many of the 18 to 24 thousand homeless veterans in Los Angeles County as possible.
  • Vocational training and an Education and Veterans' Benefits Office on the grounds to coordinate services for all veterans. As a component of this, CFVR believes it is imperative that congress pass legislation for the G.I. Bill for the 21st Century for returning veterans.

As we continue to move forward, CFVR will be to continue to monitor the care for veterans at the WLA VA Medical facility, even after the misuse of the property is put to a stop. It is the underlying principle of our organization to ensure veterans will always have advocates in their corner that believe in honoring their service to their country.

CFVR supports the passage of the Mental Health Improvements Act of 2007 S.2162, sponsored by Senator Daniel Akaka. This legislation is designed to increase the level of mental health care at VA medical facilities throughout the country for our returning veterans.

The tragic death of 27-year old OIF veteran Justin Bailey at the WLA VA facility prompted this legislation. Justin, suffering from PTSD and chronic drug addiction, sought treatment at the WLA VA and died of an overdose of prescription medication at the hospital. It is believed by many that Justin did not receive the level of of care and supervision he needed to adjust to civilian life and rehabilitate.

Please contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives and ask them to support this legislation.

CFVR in the News:

CFVR and Keith Jeffreys in the Palos Verdes Peninsula News, January 17th, 2008.

CFVR President, Keith Jeffreys, Santa Monica Daily Press, Dec. 28th, 2007 Protection for WLA VA.

Los Angeles Times: Passage of protection for West Los Angeles VA, Dec. 27th 2007.

CFVR President Keith Jeffreys on the California State Veterans' Home at WLA VA, Los Angeles Times, July 5th, 2007.

Steve Lopez Column in the Los Angeles Times, May 30th, 2007.

Keith Jeffreys and CFVR on KNBC 4, March 16th, 2007.

CFVR President Keith Jeffreys on the John and Ken Show, March 19th, 2007.



 
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