The Veterans Transition Center of California's mission is to end Veteran homelessness one here at a time by providing vital resources and empowering them to move from crisis to self-sufficiency.
Since 1996, the Veterans Transition Center of California (VTC), a non-profit 501(c)(3), has operated on the historic Fort Ord land, providing vital support to Veterans in need. VTC offers housing, food, clothing, case management, substance abuse recovery, mental health services, job training, and more. VTC offers the building blocks to self-sufficiency and is one of the few programs nationwide that welcomes Veterans, their families and their pets. VTC provides Veterans a safe place to live while they rebuild their lives. Each Veteran is paired with a Case Manager who guides their personalized recovery plan, addressing medical, psychological, financial, educational, and social needs. These services are the foundation for a successful transition to independence and reintegration into their communities.
VTC's goal is to bring homeless Veterans in the Tri-County area to Functional Zero by offering comprehensive wraparound services to homeless and previously incarcerated Veterans. Our latest housing initiative, Lightfighter Village, opened in January 2025, which provided permanent supportive housing for 71 local Veterans and their families. Monterey County has approximately 1,300 to 1,800 homeless Veterans, and California’s rate of unsheltered Veterans is the highest in the nation at 70%. It’s estimated that twice that number of Veterans may be at risk of becoming homeless in the next 1–3 months. These figures do not include the Veterans' spouses and children, who are not eligible for VA benefits. Veterans are at higher risk of homelessness due to conditions like PTSD, TBI, mental health issues, and substance abuse. Transitioning into civilian life is a lifelong process, and without proper support services, it can be a challenging and prolonged journey.
The support I received at VTC was incredible. When I stumbled, there was always someone there to get me back on track, and that kind of care meant everything. The camaraderie was just as powerful. Being around people who had been through similar struggles made the hard days easier. VTC became my first real home. My case manager, Adriana, stood by me through life-changing decisions. One idea was to move to the Santa Cruz Mountains. This started as a thought and became reality within two weeks. I stayed at VTC for six months, and every experience, even the setbacks, became life lessons. VTC gives you the tools to succeed. If you want it, it’s here. Now I volunteer and share my story, because you can’t tell it without mentioning VTC. My past is part of me, but the future is mine. For me, there is no success story without VTC.
- Richard Hibbard, Marina
