San Diego honors new vet center

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors honored its newest veterans center with a proclamation: throughout the county, Nov. 1 will be recognized as Southwest Veterans Business Resource Center Day. The center is the brainchild of Albert Renteria, a retired Marine Corps veteran and founder and CEO of the new center.

"I have spent over eight years developing this launch, and I have turned over rocks and covered every inch to determine what it will take to make this work," Renteria said. "And how I will empower communities to take control of what they want to see happen, and that is to serve our veterans with class and dignity."

The nonprofit veterans business resource center will offer a variety of services at no cost to eligible participants: veterans, servicemembers and their families. Guidance will be available to increase awareness of veterans benefits, help with job preparation and develop business entrepreneur strategies.

Renteria's vision for the center includes business equipment, office spaces, classes, seminars, and training sessions conducted by retired business owners and other volunteers.

The center's educational cornerstone is a 14-level reintegration study program for veterans, who can qualify for a $2,000 Learn-and-Earn stipend by enrolling. Job placement and counseling services will also be available.

In part, the proclamation reads: " ... the County of San Diego is committed to recognizing and honoring those organizations throughout the region who dedicate themselves to the best ideals of public service, and the Southwest Veterans Business Resource Center is one such organization ...."

The Southwest Veterans Business Resource Center, located at 145 E. Fig St., will host its opening ceremony from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 1. The center can be reached by phone at (760) 468-1315.