About VSSA

Established on January 27, 2011, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization the Veterans Supportive Services Agency, Inc. (VSSA) is dedicated to advocating and providing life-enhancing supportive services allowing veterans and families to be self-sufficient so they can live with independence and dignity.

VSSA's core mission is to help injured Veterans apply for service connected disability compensation or to assist them to file with the goal to reach a level of service connected disability up to 100%, if so richly deserved. VSSA also helps injured Veterans who already filed their claims and/or whose claims were denied.

This is our job. Why? Because being injured limits our ability to continue earning a living. With 100% service connected disability compensation, coupled with appropriate health care, a Veteran and his family can live in independence with dignity.

Serving our country with the United States Armed Forces is one of the most honorable and noblest causes for any American. We served in times of crisis and peace. When we serve during crisis and get injured, the federal government, through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), will help and fulfill President Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address in which he stated "to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan."

Helping those injured should be a positive experience. We deserve to be treated well because we fought for our freedom and our country.

Reaching a 100% level of service connected disability is not only financially rewarding but will open a wide array of other benefits including health care, mental health and dental care.

It is our hope that in the future more Veterans will receive what they deserve in terms of compensation relative to the type of injury incurred while serving in the US Armed Forces. It is also our hope that each of us will continue to support those who served our country in times of crisis and peacetime. After all, they have sacrificed so you and I could enjoy our freedom so richly envied by others.

"Veterans, you served our country. Now it’s our turn to serve you.”

Tito A. Cortez, MSW
Disabled Vietnam War Veteran
Founder and Volunteer Executive Director, Veterans Supportive Services Agency, Inc.


BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Barry Bamford, Chair

Barry Bamford is the Founder and President of Sacred Space Memorial. Barry has managed cemeteries and funeral homes in every conceivable market condition for over 35 years. Sacred Space Memorial was created to provide transformational end-of-life experiences at a value. We are experts on VA Burial Benefits and the application and qualification process. Our services are designed to tie seamlessly to your burial benefits.

Charles Espinoza, Veteran, US Marine Corps, and Vice- Chair

Tiara Cortez Miller, Secretary

Tiara is a Bay Area native and comes from a long line of Veterans. Her father, who served with the US Army, is a Disabled Vietnam War Veteran. Both of her grandfathers served in the US Army during World War II, the Korean War, and are Purple Heart recipients. One of her grandfathers was a Prisoner of War (POW) during the Ba'taan Death March during World War II.

Ms. Miller holds a MS in Organization Development from University of San Francisco, and has worked in Human Resources at high tech companies like Google, Synaptics, Ampere Computing, and NEC Electronics. When she's not working with Veterans or event planning for VSSA, Tiara enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, reading, cooking, and learning about craft chocolate.

Laverne Bautista

Laverne comes from a Military family. She is a “Navy Brat”, with a few cousins, nieces and nephews currently serving in the military and retired Uncles, nephews and nieces. Her father served in the Navy for 20 years and worked at the US Post office for 20 years. When her father passed away, her family didn’t know what to do to access the benefits available to my mother during this difficult time. Laverne had to figure out everything on her own. It was very challenging. Since that time, she has been active in the community, trying to help Veterans and families access the information they need. Laverne has participated in Veteran focused events in the community. She currently works for Bridge Hospice. She is the Co-Chair for the Bay Area Hospice Veteran Program (BAHVP) at the Palo Alto VA and is a member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NPHCO), which has a program in which she participates called the ‘We Honor Veterans’.

Jane Hutchens, Veteran, US Army

Jane joined the US Army in January 1974, and was honorably discharged a year later after a traumatic car accident in which she also broke her back while serving in Germany (with 20% compensation). She spent her life working as an administrative assistant and legal secretary. Last year, she arrived at VSSA for help in obtaining 100% for PTSD and back issues sustained in that car accident. Currently, Jane has achieved 80% compensation and will pursue the last 20% with the outstanding assistance of VSSA.

Crystal Cabaya Laufasa

Crystal is the daughter of a Disabled US Navy Vietnam Veteran. Her father faithfully served 22 years for our country, and retired as a Chief with honors. During his retirement, he was a volunteer Case Manager for VSSA, and Commander and Adjutant for American Legion Post 858. 

Crystal was born in Hawaii but spent most of her life in San Jose, CA. She is a registered dental assistant (RDA) and has been in the dental field for 30 years but also has experience in administration, finance, and marketing. She really enjoys cooking and fishing, especially when she went with her Dad.  Crystal serves as a Board Member of VSSA and a volunteer Case Manager. Also, she volunteers for the American Legion Post 858 .

Isidro Raymundo, Veteran, US Navy

Leon Sachkar, Veteran, US Air Force


In Memoriam

Cris Cabaya, Veteran, US Navy, and Treasurer (2017 - 2020)

Born in Lungog, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, Cris married his high school sweetheart Mila at NASA Moffett Field, California. They have three children (Born in Oakland, CA) and three grandchildren. He enlisted in the US Navy in June 1968. His duty stations in chronological order were: Naval Station, Kefllavik, Iceland, USS Agerholm (DD 826) homeported in San Diego, California, Naval Air Technical Training Center, located in NAS Lakehurst, New Jersey, USS Benjamin Stoddert (DDG 22) homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Naval Air Station, Fallon, Nevada, Naval Station, Midway Island, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), USS Hector (AR 7), & USS Samuel Gompers (AD 37) all homeported in Alameda, California. His last duty station was Personnel Support Detachment at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Mount Clemens, Michigan where Cris retired in August 1988 as Disbursing Clerk Chief. All the ships he was on were all involved in operations during the Vietnam conflict. 

During his tour of duty in Fallon, Nevada, Cris attended Chapman University and graduated with a degree in Business with a major in Economics. While on active duty, Cris always helped his shipmates with their financial problems especially tax problems and so after becoming a civilian, he obtained his tax preparer's license.

Cris retired from the US Postal Service in 2010. Cris enjoyed fishing with his son-in-laws and his grandson and worked as Commander of American Legion Northside Post 858 and as Treasurer of VSSA.