By TR Robertson
Wounded Warrior Homes began in 2009 with a “mission to provide service members suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) with affordable housing and hands-on resources, and a defined path for transitioning from active duty to civilian life”. Since the beginning, they have expanded by opening centers for men and women veterans, providing mental health guidance, a pantry open to veterans, and numerous other resources. Some of these include counseling in healing, growing, and successfully reintegrating into civilian life, as well as assistance with job training and community engagement, all in a supportive environment.
In a recent interview with Wounded Warrior Homes Chairman and President Rick J. Espitia it was pointed out that 30% of wounded service members suffer from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or PTS. Along with this, 35,574 veterans nationwide are homeless, representing 5.4% of the entire homeless population. Part of this assistance is partnering with Serene Health Group to launch Operation Mental Health to provide mental health services to the veteran community. A full range of mental health services are offered including counseling, pharmaceutical support and PrTMS through Mindset. Mindset is a safe and effective solution for difficult-to-manage brain and mental health conditions with PrTMS therapy. It focuses on treating the root cause of “brain arrhythmia” rather than just the symptoms. The treatment is safe, painless, noninvasive and drug free. WWH is designed to connect veterans with the critical mental health support they need. This is done through One-on-One Counseling, Peer Support Groups and Crisis Intervention. More information on this program can be discovered by contacting Wounded Warrior Homes in San Marcos, 1145 Linda Vista Dr., phone number 760-205-5050 or go www.woundedwarriorhomes.org
Another major impact Wounded Warrior Homes is having is with the opening of the Women’s Veterans Center, a safe and supportive home designed exclusively for women veterans, especially those with children. Currently 2 families are housed in the Escondido facility and Wounded Warriors Homes is currently accepting applications for another female veteran with a family. Women veterans needing assistance are growing in number, especially those in need of mental health assistance. They are extremely underserved. At the Escondido facility the remodeled facility provides a safe, well-kept place for the veteran and her family to live. The families are visited once a week by someone from Wounded Warrior Homes. Mental health care is provided as well as food from the WWH pantry. The mothers are encouraged to continue their education, preparing themselves for a transition into the civilian world.
The WWH Transitional Housing currently provides a home for 6 single men. Several of the men are working and others are going to school. This Vista residence, off Sycamore, sits on 1 1/12 acres providing a safe and secure home for these veterans. The men are also visited by members of Wounded Warriors Homes weekly, and they receive mental health assistance as needed and food from the WWH Food Pantry.
The Food Pantry at the Wounded Warrior Homes offices is stocked with a number of nonperishable food choices and receives some assistance from the San Diego Food Bank. The Food Pantry is always in need of additional food and donations are always accepted. Rick said one item they currently have a little too much of is macaroni, so at this time no macaroni donations are needed. Items that would provide a balanced diet for the veterans are needed. Rick said they are working on providing a hot meal program for the veterans which they could offer 4 times a month. At the present time 190 veterans are eligible for access to the Food Pantry.
Rick said they meet with the veterans once a week to discuss issues they have and to assist with referrals they may need. He said it averages around $45,000 a year to assist the veteran families and everything is provided free. They provide accommodation, food, mental and physical health assistance and other guidance as needed. All of this is accomplished through grants and private donations and WWH is always in need of donations to assist all of their programs. All donations are tax exempt as WWH is a 501 © (3) nonprofit organization.
One of the upcoming fund raisers for WWH is the Celebrities for Veterans Golf Tournament to support Operation Mental Health and the Women’s Veterans Center. The NFL Legends Celebrity Golf Tournament if scheduled for May 15-16, 2026, to be held at the San Marcos Golf Course. Thirty-six foursomes will hit the links as well as taking part in autograph signing and a live and silent auction. Go to the Fairways for Veterans Celebrity Golf Event San Diego/Wounded Warrior Homes Fundraiser for more information or if interested in sponsorships.
Wounded Warrior Homes is not affiliated with Wounded Warrior Project.
