UCSB Veterans Resource Team

UCSB’s Veterans Resource Team was officially created in 2006. The Veterans Resource Team (VRT) promotes a positive campus experience for student veterans and dependents, supports student veterans’ entry into civilian and university life, and assists with access to GI Bill benefits, resources, and mentors to enable degree completion.  Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF) has committed to an annual donation to support the VRT and its students, with funding for the Veterans Resource Center, scholarships, readjustment counseling, and job training for veterans and reservists attending UCSB. The veterans are committed to providing community service throughout Santa Barbara.

SBCC Veterans Support and Resource Center

This program, established in part by PCVF, provides assistance and financial support to veterans and their families to help them navigate the difficult waters of reentering civilian life and adjusting to the rigors of school. These veterans need help collecting their GI educational benefits and identifying other veterans with whom they can interact. The veterans, in turn, give back to the community by volunteering for events.

UCSB ROTC

For over a decade, PCVF has supported the UCSB ROTC’s Surfrider Battalion, one of the oldest and top ranked college ROTC programs in the nation. PCVF equips the unit with scholarships, awards and PR support as well as other fiscal backing throughout the four-year program. Cadets train to enter the US Army as commissioned officers.

Veterans Treatment Court

The Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) was established by George Eskin, a former Superior Court judge for Santa Barbara County, as a way to give combat veterans a second chance at redirecting their lives. The VTC gives these veterans the choice to enter into a diversion program instead of prison. Their records are expunged after completing the various programs designed to help them become productive citizens. Started in 2011, the rate of recidivism is negligible.

The Sea Cadets

PCVF has funded the AIRPAC Squadron Sea Cadet program for over 10 years. This program teaches maritime awareness, deck seaman skills, swimming and boating proficiencies and an introduction to the excellent discipline found in all our military services. Up to 35 hand-selected young people, 14 – 18 years of age, are accepted annually to be a part of this extra-curricular endeavor. The program also encourages them to consider a Naval career or enter a college with a Navy ROTC Program.

Active Duty Support

PCVF provides annual financial support to the Family Readiness Units at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Pt. Magu and Naval Base Ventura County. The funds often go to service members and their families to help with the costs of moving and resettlement when the sailors are deployed or returning from deployment.

Vandenberg Air Force Base and PCVF are working together for Cinderella’s Closet to collect gently-used women’s formal wear for use by airmen’s spouses who are attending the Military Ball and other formal ceremonies. They borrow the clothing and accessories and then return them cleaned to the Closet.