New Veterans Coalition in Valley Begins to Form

Veterans Coalition Holds Inaugural Meeting

LA QUINTA —Nearly 40 representatives from veteran-serving organizations, nonprofits, community groups, and various elected officials’ offices across the Coachella Valley gathered Wednesday at La Quinta City Hall for the inaugural planning meeting of the Coachella Valley Veterans Coalition.

The meeting, organized and led by La Quinta Councilman and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Steve Sanchez, marked the first official step in forming a unified regional coalition dedicated to strengthening collaboration, advocacy, and awareness for the Valley’s veteran community.

“This is about collaboration, not duplication,” Sanchez said in a statement. “Each organization is already doing incredible work. The Coalition exists to bring everyone together—so we can strengthen our collective voice, share resources, and make it easier for veterans and their families to find the help they need.”

Building the Foundation for a United Voice

Attendees expressed strong enthusiasm for the effort, with many commenting that this initiative has been “long overdue.” The group emphasized the importance of developing a clear mission statement and purpose focused on unity and advocacy—two core themes that resonated throughout the meeting.

Among those in attendance were representatives from Congressman Ken Calvert’s Office, Congressman Raul Ruiz’s Office, Assemblyman Greg Wallis’ Office, Marine Corps Veteran Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez’s Office, Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez’s Office, the City of Desert Hot Springs, the City of Palm Desert, and nearly every major veteran organization in the Coachella Valley.

“Councilman Steve Sanchez’s leadership in spearheading this Veterans Coalition shows what service is all about—bringing veterans of all branches together to support one another and strengthen our communities,” Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez, United States Marine Corps Veteran, said in a statement.

“Having a valley-wide hub network offering one-stop access to all available veterans’ services would be a huge benefit for us and extremely helpful for those seeking specific support,” said Dirk Voss, Councilman for the City of Desert Hot Springs.

From the 40 in attendance, Sanchez assembled a working group of seven leaders to help draft the Coalition’s initial structure, bylaws, and operational framework. This founding team will guide the next phase of the organization’s development and ensure the CVVC is built collaboratively, thoughtfully, and inclusively.

“When you bring together every veterans’ organization in the Coachella Valley—each with its own mission and membership—you create something powerful,” Sanchez said. “Thousands of voices unified means greater advocacy, stronger visibility, and more opportunities to secure funding and resources for our veterans.”

A Coalition to Amplify, Not Duplicate

A consistent message among participants was that the CVVC will not provide direct services but instead serve as a central hub and amplifier—promoting and connecting the various organizations that already serve veterans and their families throughout the Coachella Valley.

The Coalition’s website and social media platforms will serve as a one-stop information hub, featuring local veteran resources such as funeral and memorial benefits, education programs, homeownership assistance, and support for spouses and children of veterans.

“Service to service is key to building strong communities,” said Kyndra Wright, owner of The Wright Loan. “I’m supportive of a unified Coalition that strengthens services, advocacy, and resource-sharing across the Valley.”

“We’re not reinventing the wheel,” Sanchez added. “We’re connecting the wheels that already exist—and putting them on the same vehicle, moving in the same direction.”

Strong Start and Broad Community Support

Throughout the meeting, participants contributed ideas on structure, outreach, and the Coalition’s public identity. Several emphasized the importance of leveraging media partnerships and outreach campaigns to raise awareness of available veteran resources and services.

“I think you have a great start and a good group of people,” said Bill Young, Advisory Board Member for The Salvation Army Cathedral City Corps. “The Coalition is looking a lot more possible now.”

Sanchez closed the meeting with this, “In the Marines, we were taught that you move as one unit—no one left behind, no one out front alone,” Sanchez said. “That’s what this Coalition represents. We’re locking arms, closing ranks, and advancing together to make sure every veteran and family in the Coachella Valley is supported.”

Next Steps

The newly formed core working group will now meet to draft the Coalition’s organizational structure, bylaws, and membership framework to present to the broader group at the next general meeting.

All attendees agreed to reconvene in mid-January 2026, where the proposed structure will be presented, discussed, and fine-tuned collectively. The group will also review plans for nonprofit status, communications platforms, and grant-readiness to strengthen future advocacy and collaboration efforts.

The Coachella Valley Veterans Coalition (CVVC) represents a new era of collaboration, advocacy, and unity among those who have served and those who continue to serve them.

Coachella Valley Veterans Coalition — one mission, one voice, stronger together.