Executive Board Members:
Darlene Gonzales
Pat Upah
Sarah Hallett
Carol Pearson
Tracy Justinak
Tom Derryberry
Dennis Hider

If you are a disabled veteran, you may qualify for the Reduced Fare Program available to the disabled, youths age 6-18 and senior citizens of the valley.  Visit Valley Metro’s website to learn more about the application process and requirements.

Free Bus passes can be obtained from the Phoenix VA Medical Center, from Madison Street Veterans Association or from the Lodestar Day Resource Center.

Phoenix Veterans Medical Center
650 East Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85012
(800) 554-7174

Lodestar Day Resource Center
1125 West Jackson Street
Phoenix, AZ. 85007
Main Number (602) 393-9930

Madison Street Veterans Association (Located across the street from Lodestar)
233 S. 11th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85007

The Fresh Start Foundation, also known as the Women’s Resource Center has professional clothing days where you can be fitted for a professional outfit and accessories.  They also offer $5 professional haircuts, employment resources and resume assistance, computers, self-improvement/help classes, and legal assistance.   The Fresh Start Women’s Foundation  is located at 1130 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85006.  Visit the Fresh Start Women’s Foundation Website for more information on their programs.

The main shelter in Phoenix, Arizona is the Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) located at 230 South 12th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85007 | 602.256.6945.  CASS operates:

• Downtown Single Adult Shelter
• Vista Colina Emergency Family Shelter
• Men’s Outreach Shelter

There is a Veteran’s Outreach Coordinator at each location that can help you navigate through the system and get you back on your feet.  There are some special programs for Veterans.  The Madison Street Veterans Association is located right next to CASS and they can assist you with computer resources for job search and applications for state and veterans benefits.  Contact Terry Araman at 602-525-4456, or email taraman@lodestardrc.org

Unfortunately, there is not a shelter just for women veterans in Phoenix, yet.  UMOM is the largest homeless shelter for families in Phoenix, Arizona.  UMOM New Day Centers programs include:

• New Day Shelters
• Next Step Housing
• Domestic Violence Shelter
• Watkins Basic Needs Shelter

There are several Domestic Violence Shelters across the valley for women involved in domestic violence.  For help in locating an emergency, homeless, or domestic violence shelter in Maricopa County.

Call CONTACS
(602) 263-8900 or 1-800-799-7739 
24 hours a day, seven days a week

NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence
602-279-2900 or 1-800-782-6400

Arizona Community Information & Referral

The Community Information & Referral Hotline is an excellent resource for general assistance and contact information.  If local, you can dial 2-1-1 or 877-211-8661 from anywhere.  800-367-8939 TDD (Arizona Relay). 602-263-8845 Administration.  They are located at 2200 N Central Ave Ste 601, Phoenix, AZ 85004-1428

You can find their listings of shelters and halfway houses here.

They have a searchable database with resources on Adoption & Foster Care, Free Clothing, Home Services, Shelters, Rental Assistance, Education, Legal Assistance, Employment, Mental Health Counseling, Family Services, Pets & Animals, Substance Abuse Services, Health and Dental Care, Transportation and Utility Assistance.

The City of Phoenix’s Salvation Army’s Project Hope also assists with Emergency Housing, Food Services, and Utility bill payment assistance.

Department of Economic Security can assist with Nutrition, Cash Aid, Unemployment, Adult Protective Services, Disability and Medical Insurance for you and your family if qualified.  To find an office near you, use the DES Office Locator at https://www.azdes.gov/.  You can also apply online for aid.

Places to Get Food Boxes

Association of Arizona Food Banks
2100 N. Central Avenue, Suite 230
Phoenix, Arizona 85004-1400
(602) 528-3434 : Local
(800) 445-1914 : Toll Free

The Arizona Family Assistance Program has assembled all of the food assistance programs available to local residents into one document that you can view or download here.  It includes program information, eligibility and contact information.  The programs are arranged by geographical location, so you must go to the nearest foodbank in your city for assistance.  A city listing can be viewed or downloaded here.

You can also search the National Resource Directory for assistance with Food, Benefits, and Shelter.

For more information, you should call the Community Information & Referral at  1-800-445-1914.  Proof of citizenship and residency is not required.

A bag lunch is also available at Building 4 of the Carl T. Hayden, Phoenix VA Medical Center located at:

650 E. Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602-277-5551

There’s no reason for any person to go hungry in Phoenix, Arizona.  You can also stop by Madison Street Veterans Association (MVSA) located next to CASS, the Phoenix Homeless Shelter to find more local food resources in the neighborhood.  St. Vincent DePaul’s is located around the corner from MVSA and they offer free meals.   MVSA can assist with applications for Nutrition Assistance, Rides to the VA, Computer classes and more.  Visit their website or contact Terry Araman at 602-525-4456, or email taraman@lodestardrc.org.  The MVSA operates the MANA House, a transitional living center for Veterans.

650 E. Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85012

Phone: 602-277-5551 Or 602-277-5551
http://www.phoenix.va.gov

View Map: Yahoo! - MapQuest - Google

The Phoenix VA Health Care System (PVAHCS) — comprised of the Carl T. Hayden Veterans Affairs Medical Center and seven clinics– is categorized as a Clinical Referral Level 1 facility. The facility serves more than 80,000 Veterans in central Arizona including the rapidly expanding metropolitan Phoenix area. The VA Medical Center provides acute medical, surgical, and psychiatric inpatient care, as well as rehabilitation medicine, and neurological care, and has a more than $450 million annual operating budget.

Eligibility

For questions regarding your eligibility or enrollment, please call the Pheonix VA Healthcare at (602) 222-6508, (or call the medical center toll-free at 1-800-554-7174, then dial ext. 1-6508).   For more information, visit the VA Health Care Eligibility Web site.

Women Veterans Health Program

If you have any questions regarding the Women Veterans Health Program, please call the medical center at (602) 277-5551 (toll-free 1-800-554-7174), then dial ext. 1- 6764 to reach Cara Garcia, LCSW, Women Veterans Program Manager.  To make a women’s health appointment, please call (602) 277-5551 ext. 1-6359.  For more information on VA’s Women Veterans programs, benefits and services, visit the VA Center for Women Veterans Web site.

Military Sexual Trauma

If you have any questions regarding or have experienced Military Sexual Trauma (MST), you should contact Judi Orosz, LMSW, MST coordinator, at (602) 277-5551 (toll-free 1-800-554-7174), then dial ext. 1-6883.  For information about MST visit the VA National Center for PTSD’s Violence and Sexual Abuse page or visit the VA’s Mental Health Website at http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/msthome.asp.

The Phoenix VA Healthcare System offers:

• Inpatient Care Services
• Mental Health and Behavioral Science Services
  • Homeless Care Program
  • Post-traumatic Stress Resources
  • Social Work Department
  • Substance Abuse Clinic
  • VA Helpline
• Research Services
• Women’s Healthcare
• Geriatrics and Extended Care
• Clinical and Ambulatory Care Services

Substance Use Directory

Crisis Support

If you are in crisis, please call 911, go to your nearest Emergency Room, or call the Veterans Crisis Line available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255 (Spanish/Español 1-888-628-9454). Veterans press “1” after you call. You can also chat live online with a crisis counselor 24/7 by visiting the Veterans Crisis Line* website.