VA San Diego to Celebrate Aspire Center 10th Anniversary

WHO: VA San Diego Healthcare System

WHAT: 10th Anniversary Celebration Program and Tour of Center

WHERE: 2121 San Diego Avenue, The Aspire Center, San Diego, CA, 92110
(Parking Available in Elementary School Lot Across the Street from Center)

WHEN: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 / interviews available at 9:30 a.m.
arrive no later than 9:50 a.m. for a 10:00 a.m. program

VA San Diego Healthcare System is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Aspire Center in Old Town, San Diego on Wednesday, February 21 at 10:00 a.m.

The Aspire Center is a unique facility offering specially tailored recovery care for post-9/11 Veterans who are homeless, at-risk of homelessness, or diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Since its opening in 2014, the center has served nearly 1,000 Veterans. It provides housing primarily for Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans.

“We’re pleased to celebrate the extraordinary care and impact the Aspire Center has provided and continues to provide our nation’s heroes,” said Dr. Frank Pearson, Director and CEO of the VA San Diego Healthcare System. “When Veterans come to the Center, they receive life-changing care and acquire the tools to equip them for future success.”

Treatment and services offered at the Center include PTSD treatment, rehabilitation services, occupational therapy, psychotherapy, financial planning, and job training. The Aspire Center has a full-time staff of 33, which includes a team of psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, addiction therapists, dietitians, pharmacists, social workers, chaplains, occupational therapists, and peer support specialists.

The 40-bed facility is open to medically stable Veterans who are willing to participate in all Aspire Center treatment programs. The goal of the center is to prepare Veterans for successful integration into the community, while teaching skills for managing symptoms, improving overall mental health, making positive lifestyle changes, and developing a social support system.

Recent data from Veterans who completed the Center’s program show a 100% employment and educational placement rate, and 100% of discharged Veterans living in stable housing.

In its 10 years of existence, the Center has offered more than 500,000 programming hours, served more than 378,000 meals, and offered a combined $10 million in student loan and debt forgiveness.

Wednesday’s program will feature remarks from: Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51), VA San Diego Director and CEO, Dr. Frank Pearson, Veterans who have completed Aspire Center Programs, and Aspire Center Community Partners.

For more information, please contact Evan Hinkley – [email protected] (858-642-1529)

ASPIRE Center Fact Sheet
https://www.va.gov/san-diego-health-care/programs/health-education/aspire-center-fact-sheet/

Location and contact information

Address:
2121 San Diego Avenue, The Aspire Center
San Diego, CA 92110-2928

Phone numbers
Main phone: 855-297-8397
Mental health care: 858-642-3391

VA San Diego Healthcare System
https://www.va.gov/san-diego-health-care/