Not far from the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, there is a beautifully restored old building that houses the LA County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The Bob Hope Patriotic Hall is even named for a man known for his service to people in the military. But in Bob Hope’s day, the military was almost exclusively male. These days, more women are choosing military service and consequently, the number of female veterans is increasing.

Almost any vet will tell you the transition from military to civilian life isn’t easy. It’s hard to find a job, a place to live and to begin getting your life on track. It’s even harder if military service left you with a debilitating injury or emotional trauma from experiencing combat. The Veterans Administration (VA) can be difficult to navigate, so many counties have special offices to help veterans access all the benefits they deserve.