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Student Feature
Coastline College successfully hosted its Annual Veteran Art & Resource Expo at the Newport Beach campus, welcoming more than 200 Veterans and their families for a day centered on connection, creativity, and community support.
The event was a collaborative effort between Coastline College’s Art Department, the Tierney Center for Veteran Services, U.S. Vets Outside the Wire, Partners for Wellness, Connect-OC, and the Orange County Health Care Agency, highlighting the power of cross-sector partnerships in serving Veterans holistically.
Veterans were able to engage with over 50 community resource providers, connecting to services focused on housing, employment, education, mental health, and overall wellness. The importance of expanding access to these services is critical. Research published in The Mental Health Status of California Veterans in the journal Psychiatric Services found that among veterans with identified mental health needs, only about 24% received minimally adequate treatment, leaving roughly three-quarters without sufficient care. This significant treatment gap underscores the importance of community-based events that bring resources directly to Veterans and their families.
Learn about Mental Health support at Coastline
A key feature of the Expo was its emphasis on art as a therapeutic and community-building tool. Interactive art classes and hands-on workshops were offered throughout the day by Coastline’s Art Department, Partners for Wellness, and Connect-OC, giving Veterans opportunities to explore creative expression and art therapy in a welcoming environment.
Food was generously provided by Operation Nourish, a Veteran-owned organization, reinforcing the event’s commitment to supporting Veteran entrepreneurs while fostering camaraderie among attendees.
Additional support was provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which brought the Vet Center bus on site, expanding access to counseling and readjustment services for Veterans and their families.
The Annual Veteran Art & Resource Expo demonstrated Coastline College’s ongoing commitment to creating inclusive, community-driven spaces where Veterans can connect with critical resources, experience healing through creativity, and build meaningful relationships that support their academic and personal success.
