ADVOCACY
ventura college 2025
President Espinoza met with veterans at the Ventura College Veteran Resource Center to talk mentoring, leadership, and veteran transition!
Ad Council & VA PSA 2024
President and Executive Director were selected for "The Bravest Thing" Veterans Affairs and Ad Council that ran through the NFL Season 2024 on Television.
Nashville American Legion POST 82 with Director Garcia 2024
President and Direct Ralph Garcia met with veterans at the Nashville American Legion Post 82
veterans day 2024
Our President is also the Senior Vice Commander of the Simi Valley DAV Chapter 55. Commander Deb Erhrich and he spoke with Congresswoman Julia Brownley about important veteran issues.
Veterans day car show ventura lions 2024
Veterans day car show ventura lions 2024
VMPI President Espinoza, Simi Valley DAV Commander Deb Ehrich, VMPI Secretary Stella Moreno, Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County President Richard Camacho, VMPI Director Casey Sutherland and VMPI Executive Director Espinoza take a photo op at the car show!
Toy DRIVE with SABOT FOundation 2024
Veterans day car show ventura lions 2024
The Sabot Foundation thorugh a partnership with The Veteran Mentor Project Inc. generously donated 14 bins of toys to the Kidgloves Boxing Foundation through the Simi Valley VFW. Community partnerships pay dividends and impacted hundreds of kids positively.
CARRY THE LOAD WALK 2024
Inaugural Veteran and First Responder Resource fair 2024 Channel Islands harbor
Inaugural Veteran and First Responder Resource fair 2024 Channel Islands harbor
President Espinoza and local hero Jeff McGreevy carry the flags for Jeff's Annual Carry The Load Walk to honor our fallen heroes!
Inaugural Veteran and First Responder Resource fair 2024 Channel Islands harbor
Inaugural Veteran and First Responder Resource fair 2024 Channel Islands harbor
Inaugural Veteran and First Responder Resource fair 2024 Channel Islands harbor
President Espinoza, State Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin and Maya Zumaya of MZ Consulting stop to take a photo after all the raffle prizes were drawn!
RIDE FOR THE BLUE 2024
Inaugural Veteran and First Responder Resource fair 2024 Channel Islands harbor
President Espinoza and local hero Jeff McGreevy again carry the flags for Jeff's Annual RIde for the Blue to honor our fallen HERO VCSO SGT RON HELUS!
MEETING WITH TACtical resiliency usa in florida 2024
MEETING WITH TACtical resiliency usa in florida 2024
President Espinoza took time out with Army Combat Veteran Dan Jarvis to network and discuss Tactical Resiliency USA, just one of many strategic partnerships developed over the years!
kid gloves boxing toy drive 2024
MEETING WITH TACtical resiliency usa in florida 2024
kid gloves boxing toy drive 2024
President Espinoza spent time with Professional Boxer Robert "Scraptime" Ortiz and Sabot Foundation Founder Jonny Krashna in December 2024! Robert is a USMC veteran and regularly trains veterans at his gym in Simi Valley!
The VALLEY HIVE 2024
MEETING WITH TACtical resiliency usa in florida 2024
kid gloves boxing toy drive 2024
President Espinoza cultivated his interest in honey bees while taking the time to learn about The Valley Hive's new nonprofit to benefit veterans and first responders! Check out the Valley Hive and "The Buzz"
Support The Veteran Mentor Project, Inc.'s Mission
FIRST RESPONDERS CONFERENCE 2024
FIRST RESPONDERS CONFERENCE 2024
FIRST RESPONDERS CONFERENCE 2024
President Espinoza attended the First Responders Conference with First Responders Recovery and The Summit House Recovery Center.
COPA AMERICA ATLANTA 2024
FIRST RESPONDERS CONFERENCE 2024
FIRST RESPONDERS CONFERENCE 2024
Team Veteran made international TV at the COPA America game! Our flag flew proudly in the stands and Argentina defeated Canada!
Our Programs
FIRST RESPONDERS CONFERENCE 2024
Learn more about our programs and how we support the community. From education to health care, we strive to make a positive difference in people's lives.
Vietnam veteran jim lehmann 1946-2024
The VMPI raised money to help Jim fight is second battle with Agent Orange related cancer. Unfortunately, Jim died during his battle and we were honored to help him as a brother in his final days of life.
WALK IN REMEMBRANCE WITH HOPE 2024 SAN DIEGO
President Espinoza speaking at a Walk in Remembrance with Hope in San Diego!
operation anacapa 2024
President Espinoza participated in and presented at the Prop 1 Virtual Education Forum with the CBHA!
operation anacapa 2024
Ceviche Chow Down with MISSION FISH USA and Cal DAV board members! Julian's Aguachiles won!
VENTURA COUNTY SUICIDE PREVENTION FORUM 2024
President Espinoza presented
Tragedy to Triumph: Launching from Grief" to a full audience.
Santa Barbara County Stand DOWN 2024
President Espinoza with a Vietnam Veteran in Santa Barbara County at their stand down event.
"DOING IT AFRAID" Book signing 2024
President Espinoza and Executive Director Espinoza with Navy Veteran Dr. Destiny at her book launch in San Diego!
VENTURA COUNTY SUICIDE PREVENTION FORUM 2024
President Espinoza presented
the VMPI and Prop. 1 information to Accenture in Los Angeles! Accenture gave generously through their grassroots fundraising efforts.
US Vets Suicide Prevention SUMMIT 2024
President Espinoza presented "Tragedy to Triumph: Launching from Grief" to US Vets at their annual Suicide Prevention Summit!
advocacy 2024 and beyond
Proposition 1 Victory press conference
The VMPI is a nonpartisan veteran and first responder charitable organization. James supported Proposition 1 for its restructuring of the Mental Health Services Act to the Behavioral Health Services Act. This proposition carves out $1 Billion for veteran issues such as housing, substance abuse and mental health services; creates 10,000 beds to address the issue of homelessness; and restructures funding mental health services at the state and local level. Want to go into the mental health profession? Prop 1 also addresses the shortage of mental health professionals. While no legislation is perfect for everyone this is the first major reform since the 1980's.
James is a staunch advocate for veterans, first responders and their families. A life of service takes its toll on service members, first responders and their family members. We recognize the need to advocate and support our brothers and sisters in arms with common sense advocacy that changes lives.
Click on the photo for the video link. James is invited to speak around the 8 minute mark.
CA AB 645 (2019) Irwin
James proposed the idea for AB645 (2019) which required gun stores to post the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, now the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in stores and all firearms sold in the State of CA must have information on how to contact the 988 Lifeline, which is now 988.
988 Suicide & crisis line
We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
veteran advocacy
The VMPI advocates for veterans, first responders, and their family members. Advocacy is an important part of outreach. Together we can make a difference. Whether is recommending a trusted resources, recommending a HERO for an award, or simply having a one on one conversation, these connections make a difference!
resource events
The VMPI regularly attends events to make meaningful connections with veterans, first responder, and their family members in areas all around the nation. We have travelled to Arizona, Tennessee, Florida, and all around the So Cal region to get the word out! America's heroes deserve mentoring support. We can save lives one at a time by preventing the crisis from ever occurring. If there has been a crisis, we refer out to culturally competent third party services.
San Bernardino 2022
public speaking engagements
The VMPI regularly attends speaking engagements to improve outreach and community connections. James has spoken in Arizona, Tennessee, North Carolina, Northern California, Southern California and can be booked for an event near you!
This photo was taken at the Whisky A-Go-Go with Dylan Garcia and the VMPI team!
San Bernardino iron goddess event 2023
coronado harley davidson veteran event 2023
SUICIDE Prevention PSA with gier productions 2023
Click on the photo for a link to the PSA on Vimeo.
Also available @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myP6S1OYNX4
operation resource Tucson arizona 2022
Click on the photo for a link to the article.
https://shoutoutarizona.com/meet-marie-johnson-president-founder/
semper solaris - semper cares initiative 2023
Click on the photo for a link to the video @
IMAGES OF IMPACT: THE WORK OF THE VETERAN MENTOR PROJECT, INC. IN PHOTOS
COVID Relief to the Navajo Nation, Monument Valley, Utah, 2020 with Nurses and Angels International.
https://www.nursesandangelsintl.org/initiatives
Carry the Load Walk, 2022, Oxnard, CA
Human Behind the Badge-Bringing Suicide out of the Darkness 2019, Sacramento CA Police Chiefs Magazine meeting.
Click on the link for a link to Winter 2019 California Police Chief's Magazine.
Operation Resource Arizona 2023
Click on the photo for a link to the article.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Walk 2020
NAMI Walk 2021, Port Hueneme, CA
Click on the photo for a link to the article.
Images of Impact: The Work of The Veteran Mentor Project, Inc. in Photos
AB 645. Firearms Suicide Prevention Bill CA 0 Press Conference 2019.
Click on photo for Press Conference Link.
22 Until None suicide prevention and awareness walk with Navy Cross recipient and American Hero, USMC SGT Scott Montoya, President of Faithful Service for Veterans. Click on the photo for more on FSFV.
More information on SGT Montoya's heroism:
RHS Veteran Appreciation Night 2021.
Our Executive Director with Vietnam Veteran Jim Lehmann.
inaugural mission f.i.s.h. appreciation bbq and resource fair
This year, the VMPI partnered with Mission F.I.S.H. USA to co-host the Inaugural Appreciation BBQ and Resource Fair. This event honored veterans, first responders, gold star, white star, and blue star families!
We hope to make the event bigger each year!
First Responders Recovery Malibu was our "Title Sponsor". Our Co-sponsors were The Sabot Foundation and American Legacy Solutions.
See event photos below.
first responders recovery malibu - Title sponsor
Our Mission
The First Responders Recovery Malibu Detox and Substance Abuse Treatment Program offers compassionate, culturally-competent and specialized care. We are designed to address the unique needs of First Responders, empowering them to overcome substance use challenges and fostering their physical and mental well-being for a healthier and more resilient community.
the sabot foundation - gold sponsor
Founded by Hammond Meredith and Jon Krashna, Sabot Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Charitable Trust created with one goal in mind: to support Veterans and combat veterans and their transition to civilian life. Sabot works with local organizations, cities, foundations, attorneys, health professionals, and others to create a collaborative and cohesive structure of engagement and support for veterans and their families. The Foundation is dedicated to suicide prevention and suicide awareness as well as supporting veterans through comprehensive health and wellness programs to combat the effects of PTS, MST, and MTBI while educating the public about the impact of these conditions by improving veteran quality of life thus ending veteran suicide (which is the main objective of Sabot Foundation).
American legacy solutions - gold sponsor
Plan, Prepare and Prosper in Retirement
We believe in leading through serving others.
We start by listening. We educate on the different phases and concerns of your life.
Then we invest time into finding the right solution for your unique concerns.
American Legacy Solutions is a client-first brokerage helping you plan, prepare, and prosper in retirement.
Are you ready to learn what’s ahead?
donations of any amount are appreciated!
please donate
We are an IRS approved 501(c)(3) / 509(a)(2) Charitable Organization!
EIN 86-2182583
Update, we have a new way to donate through Zeffy, which provides 100% of your donation to our nonprofit!
https://www.zeffy.com/fundraising/c70ad46f-b6af-443c-ba85-9faed5dbab6f