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We are thrilled to announce that the Us4Warriors Foundation, in supportive collaboration with the San Diego VA Regional Medical Center, has been honored with the prestigious 2024 VHA National Community Partnership Challenge award. This recognition celebrates our unwavering commitment to bridging the gap for food-insecure veterans through collaborative participation in the innovative Food Empowerment Program.
[Note: U.S. Dept of VA posted updated Notice announcing 2024 Winners here: https://www.va.gov/HEALTHPARTNERSHIPS/CPC.asp]
During the virtual awards ceremony, hosted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP), the San Diego VA Regional Medical Center, along with Us4Warriors, was acknowledged for its outstanding efforts. The event, led by Ms. Heather M. Luper, MSW, LCSW-C, included remarks from Dr. Chien Jen Chen, Nurse Executive of HAP, and a video message from Dr. Carolyn Clancy, AUSH for DEAN. Dr. Shereef Elnahal, Under Secretary of Health, recognized winning facilities, including the San Diego VA, and introduced the local SDVA Food Empowerment Team and Us4Warriors Team, which were represented by SDVA Director, Dr. Frank Pearson.
A special moment during the ceremony honored the collaborative team for their dedication, and a group photo featuring the local team members is included below, along with their names.
Bridging the Gap Through Partnerships
The 2024 VHA National Community Partnership Challenge, themed "Bridging the Gap Through Partnerships," recognizes community partnerships that address social determinants of health by celebrating and highlighting how the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and community organizations develop non-monetary partnerships to meet veterans' needs with creativity and innovation. The San Diego VA, together with Us4Warriors, has been acknowledged for our efforts to meet the basic nutritional needs of veterans in a highly efficient and effective manner.
About the Food Empowerment Program
The Food Empowerment Program (FEP) is designed to provide immediate access to nutritious food for food-insecure veterans. From VA Nutritionists, Social Workers, Outpatient Clinic Teams, and key leaders from the Medical Center, the program continues to thrive through the active participation of each FEP member. Us4Warriors serves as the community food partner in sustaining this important program. Our partnership focuses on closing the gap between food resources and veterans' needs. Each month, the Us4Warriors Team assembles and distributes grocery bags filled with items approved by VA Nutritionists, specifically selected to support various medical conditions. These bags are delivered to participating clinics. Additionally, Us4Warriors provides Care4Warriors care boxes uniquely assembled for the homeless population, which include not only food but also hygiene and basic needs items, utensils, and informational resources.
Impact and Sustainability
For Us4Warriors, these efforts are just one arm of a multi-project effort that includes distributions, pantry services, homeless events, as well as this key endeavor supporting the VA's FEP efforts. The FEP's impact is measured through regular data collection and monthly evaluations. In FY23 alone, Us4Warriors delivered significantly more bags and care boxes compared to FY22, marking a 114% increase. We are committed to expanding our reach, with plans to include more clinics and outpatient centers in the coming years. Throughout the pandemic, Us4Warriors consistently fulfilled its mission as safety allowed, demonstrating the program's longevity and resilience. This success is a testament to the strong partnership between Us4Warriors, the San Diego VA medical system, and the dedicated Food Empowerment Team.
A Model for Success
Us4Warriors is proud to work with the FEP in creating a replicable model that can help many other veterans and their families. By partnering with local organizations and leveraging community resources, we ensure that our veterans receive the support they need. Our approach has been recognized as a sustainable model that can be implemented across other VA Medical Centers.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate this achievement, we remain dedicated to our mission of helping veterans live stronger, healthier lives. We look forward to continuing our work with the San Diego VA and other community partners to address food insecurity and empower our veterans.
Us4Warriors applauds the amazing dedication and leadership of the members of the FEP of the San Diego VA Regional Medical Center. Together, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of those who have served our nation. Thank you to everyone who has supported Us4Warriors and made this incredible recognition possible.
If you believe in the cause and wish to support the mission, consider supporting the Us4Warriors Food4Warriors Program as it partners with the San Diego VA Medical Center to help uplift the community and combat hunger among our local veterans.
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2024 National VHA Community Partnership Recipient Team
In photo: Front Row (Left to right): Daniel Santibanez (Chief of Nutrition & Food Service, VASD), Leslie Miranda (Chair of Clinical Nutrition Committee, VASD), & Kristen McCutcheon (Health System Specialist, VASD). Back Row (Left to right): Dan Rice (Board Officer, Us4W), Tony Stewart (Executive Director/Co-founder, Us4W), Ken Greenawald (President/Co-founder, Us4W), Danny Shaffstall (Food Program Ops Manager, Us4W), Barry Baron (Board Member, Us4W) & Dr. Frank Pearson (Director, VASD)
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