IAVA hosts longtime celebrity supporters to recognize three years of one-on-one support for vets

LOS ANGELES (December 14, 2015) – On December 15, 2015, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, will be joined by comedian Kathy Griffin and actor Rob Riggle, also a Marine veteran, for a luncheon to discuss the impact veterans are having on Hollywood. Additional panel discussions will cover the future of veterans in Los Angeles and America, the historic redevelopment of the West L.A. Veterans Affairs campus, and the continuing success of IAVA’s best in class Rapid Response Referral Program (RRRP). Now in its third year, RRRP is IAVA’s one-on-one case management and referral service program helping veterans and family members get on track to meeting their goals through connections to quality resources and benefits.

“IAVA saw a problem and we set out to fix it,” said IAVA Founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff. “Before we created our RRRP program, post-9/11 veterans and their families were struggling with complex challenges but didn’t know where to turn. In response, we created a program staffed by masters-level Veterans Transition Managers — many of whom are vets themselves or trained in veteran cultural competency — to deliver vets one-on-one support. Only through individualized support can we ensure that veterans and their families are receiving the critical support they deserve. We are excited to celebrate this significant milestone with longtime IAVA supporter Kathy Griffin and fellow veteran Rob Riggle. Between Hollywood and Silicon Valley, California has become a leading landing spot for vets who seek new challenges and success. We look forward to continuing the dialogue around veterans in Hollywood, as well as the future of veterans in America.”

With a veteran population of 325,000, IAVA recognizes the challenges and opportunities that exist for Los Angeles area veterans. IAVA has dedicated staff based in California who provide a wide-range of support for the growing veteran community. Recently, in recognition of IAVA’s efforts in Los Angeles, IAVA was selected as one of ten organizations to receive grant funding as part of the My LA2050 Grants Challenge.

To attend the IAVA Los Angeles Veterans Luncheon please RSVP here.

What: IAVA Los Angeles Veterans Luncheon: The Future of Veterans Affairs

Session 1: The Future of Veterans Affairs: Update on the West LA Veterans Administration
Moderated by IAVA CEO and Founder, Paul Rieckhoff
IAVA Senior Strategy Fellow and Army veteran Wayne Robinson
Participant Media Manager of Social Action Campaigns and Programming and Navy veteran Seth Smith

Session 2: Hollywood and Veterans
Moderated by Paul Rieckhoff
IAVA supporter, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and USO performer Kathy Griffin
Marine Corps veteran and actor Rob Riggle

Session 3: 2015 Rapid Response Referral Program (RRRP) Impacts in California
IAVA Senior Veteran Transition Manager Claire Lawless

When:
Tuesday, December 15
12:00 p.m. Check-in and lunch
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Program

Where: Annenberg Skylight Studios, 10050 Constellation Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90067

Parking: Westfield Century City Mall, located across the street from Skylight Studios

Since IAVA’s Rapid Response Referral Program (RRRP) was launched in late 2012, our Veteran Transition Managers (VTM) have helped more than 5,700 veterans and family members get on track to meeting their goals through free and confidential support and connections to highest quality resources and benefits.