O.C. Rescue Mission celebrates expansion of facility for homeless veterans

The Orange County Rescue Mission recently finished expanding its Tustin Veterans Outpost, which provides transitional housing for homeless and formerly homeless veterans.

The Tustin-based facility added 45 beds, bringing the total to 71. Now more homeless veterans will be able to take advantage of the facility’s various services, which include case management, mental health services, educational assistance, vocational training, and food and nutrition assistance, among many other services.

“The expansion of Tustin Veterans Outpost will allow us to continue to serve more Veterans in the community,” Jim Palmer, president of the Orange County Rescue Mission, said in a press release. “We were able to purchase the adjacent three fourplexes to the original Veterans Outpost, allowing us to significantly increase overall capacity. We renovated and updated the complex with the help of our donors and the local community.”

Army veteran Samuel Johnson gives a tour of his bedroom at Orange County Rescue Mission’s Tustin Veterans Outpost.

(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

Palmer mentioned that the expansion would not have been possible without community donations. Howard’s, the appliance retailer, donated full kitchen suites, washing machines, dryers and televisions for each unit.

“We are forever indebted to the men and women who fought, and continue to fight, for our country,” Palmer said. “Our veterans made the ultimate dedication and sacrifice to the United States, and for that, we believe that no veteran should be homeless, and this expansion is one step closer to that goal.”

For more information about the facility, visit https://www.rescuemission.org/programs/.

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