VECA
Our Mission:
The Veterans East County Alliance in partnership with The San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce, seeks to honor and support ALL Veteran-Owned & Veteran-Friendly Businesses in East County and the San Diego region, to help transition new veterans into our community’s dynamic workforce. VECA provides targeted resources in support of this effort to benefit veterans and their families.
Our Vision:
VECA’s vision is to provide support and opportunities to our veterans through assisting all veteran-owned businesses grow, recognizing veteran friendly-owned businesses, helping veteran start-up businesses and to encourage our accomplished veteran community to partner with VECA to help serve veterans and their families in East County and the San Diego region.
VECA was created in 2021 out of the hearts of community members who wanted to honor and support our Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Friendly Businesses. There are hundreds of these businesses in East County and the San Diego region. The mission of VECA is to join forces with our vast index of resources and the power of connectivity to support military personnel in their efforts to return to civilian life and the workforce.
VECA is unique in that we focus on identifying and celebrating our Veteran-owned and Veteran-friendly businesses. VECA fills the social networking gap by hosting monthly lunch meetings and a monthly morning coffee connect throughout east county. These meetings offer opportunities for veterans and businesses to network , market their companies and tap on valuable resources.  It is VECA's great honor to celebrate the many veterans who returned home to give back to their community and from their own transition, built opportunities for their fellow veterans. In keeping with our VALOR theme this year, VECA has added a new category to the awards list of recognitions, Women Veteran-Owned businesses. This year's theme is: Honoring The Unbroken Spirit of Women Veterans An Empowering Journey!
VALOR Award Categories:
- Veteran Employee of the Year
- Veteran Spouse of the Year
- Veteran-Friendly Business of the Year
- Veteran Resource Business of the Year
- Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year (1-25 employees)
- Veteran-owned Medium Business of the Year (26-100 employees)
- Veteran-owned Large Business of the Year (101-plus employees)
- Woman Veteran-owned Business of the Year! (* Added category for this year!)
Soaring to Success:
VECA provides a tremendous opportunity to honor and support our veteran community by uniting with other veteran organizations to strengthen our efforts and outreach. Hundreds of existing veteran-owned businesses operate in East County and the San Diego region that can benefit through VECA’s resources and connectivity for business development, mentorships, scholarships, strategic planning and grant funding. By identifying our veteran-owned businesses we can start to recognize them and partner together to create a natural channel or bridge for veterans seeking employment and training. VECA will serve as a conduit to identity and provide numerous resources and educational opportunities that are current and up to date. VECA looks forward to holding events specific to celebrating, honoring, and supporting our Veterans and our Veteran-Owned Businesses.
Terminology:
VECA: Veterans East County Alliance, VOB: Veteran-Owned Businesses, VFOB: Veteran Friendly-Owned Businesses, VR: Veteran Resources
Your donation to the Veterans East County Alliance will provide VECA East County Leadership Program scholarships, VECA grants for Chamber memberships, VECA outreach efforts in the Veteran community, and support the future City of El Cajon’s Veteran Memorial. Thank you for honoring our Veterans with your donation.
CONTACT:
Susan Roberts-Egley
San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce, VECA Chair
619.440.6161 | susanr@eastcountychamber.org | eastcountychamber.org