By Daily Press staff
New Directions, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing assistance and job training to homeless veterans is celebrating the grand re-opening of its Veteran’s Village Diner on Feb. 25 with music from reggae artist Big D, performing from noon to 3 p.m. The diner is located on the VA campus at 11303 Wilshire Blvd. in building 306 and specializes in home-style cooking prepared by veterans who have completed culinary arts training.
A highlight at the diner is its Jazz Barbecue Friday Series that features home style barbecue, coleslaw, potato salad and cornbread with the accompaniment of live music. Priced from $4.50 to $6.50, each entrée includes a beverage as well as a complimentary slice of cake.
New Directions, Inc., recently named recipient of the 2004 Sustainable Quality Award by the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and the city of Santa Monica, is a long-term drug and alcohol treatment program providing housing, food, clothing, counseling, job training and psychiatric services for more than 800 homeless veterans a year. The agency operates four residential rehabilitation facilities, including the 156-bed Regional Opportunity Center, the 43-bed New Directions North for homeless veterans with co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders, and two homes in Mar Vista for homeless women veterans. School District stars climb Stairway to stardom
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 23, 2005. Read the original PDF.