Veterans Justice Advocates (VJA) is a newly formed non-profit registered with the ACC with Timothy Pena as the Statutory Agent and Director of Operations. He came onto the idea while serving a two-year prison sentence for a first offense marijuana possession conviction and Agg DUI from 2014. Tim served a total of 18 months, first at Yuma/La Paz where he helped launch the first Veterans support group; and then at Tucson/Whetstone Veteran’s Regaining Honor program. Tim realized that other veterans were not receiving the access to Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) with simple VA forms, information, and advocacy that other non-imprisoned Veterans receive, even though these Veterans have greater needs.
What does Veterans Justice Advocates do:
- Assist with Access to VA Forms & Resources
- Assist with Sustainable Housing Search
- Write a Housing Resume
- Assemble a Housing Compliance Team for Repairs
- Pair the Veteran with a Mentor
- Advocate for the Veteran in Court Proceedings
- Assist with Housing Compliance
Veterans Justice Advocates is a group of people from different backgrounds who have come together to aid the justice-involved and homeless veteran by bridging the gap between the Veteran and the VA with forms, housing and claims assistance and other VA-related agencies; services for veterans transitioning into prison with pre-trial opportunities and courtroom presence; and services for veterans transitioning out of prison or homelessness with housing, clothing, and resources.
Thank you for your time and for your service,
Timothy Pena
Veterans Justice Project
(602)663-6456
tim.pena@outlook.com
Veterans Justice Advocates