Bay Area & Western Chapter

Paralyzed Veterans of America

About Us

     Bay Area & Western Chapter of PVA (BAWPVA) is a nonprofit, Veterans service organization located in Palo Alto, CA.  The BAWPVA serves spinal cord injured and/or dysfunction Veterans located in Northern California and the Pacific Islands.  The Bay Area & Western Chapter is one of 34 chapters of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) located across the United States.
     Bay Area & Western Chapter of PVA services provide direct support to the chapter's programs.  The BAWPVA sponsors various at the Palo Alto VA Hospital as well as all of our members throughout Norhtern California and hte Pacific region. 
     If you are interested in membership, volunteering, or donating please contact us today.

Our office is located at:

3801 Miranda Ave.
Building 101 Rm. A1-219
Palo Alto, CA  94304

Hours:

Mon - Fri 8:00am to 4:00pm

Bylaws
Click here to view the chapter's bylaws.
  

Meet our Leadership

The Bay Area & Western Chapter of PVA represents spinal cord injured and/or dysfunction Veterans in Northern California. Here is an introduction to the leadership of our organization:

Mr. Richard "Dick" Kratt- President
Mr. Kratt is the President of the Bay Area & Western Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America. After serving six years in the Navy Mr. Kratt sustained a spinal cord injury in November 1992 leaving him a high quad.  During his rehabilitation at the Palo Alto VA SCI Center Mr. Kratt became a member of PVA and then decided to get involved with the board.  After serving 9 years in various positions on the Board of Directors Mr. Kratt became the President.  His main mission is to work as diligently as possible to increase awareness of the special needs of the spinal cord injured Veteran throughout the entire Palo Alto Healthcare System.
Ms. Rebecca Sherman - Executive Director
Ms. Sherman is the Executive Director of the Bay Area & Western Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America.  She joined the organization in September 2002 after serving in the U.S. Navy and has worked continuously with the board of directors to continue to expand the chapter's programs.  Ms. Sherman enjoys meeting the members of the organization and learning what the chapter can do to improve its service to them.
Mr. David Hollingshead - National Director
Mr. Hollingshead is the National Director for the Bay Area & Western Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America.  Since his injury in 1971 Mr. Hollingshead has made a career out of serving paralyzed Veterans and other people with disablities.  During his time with the chapter he has served as President, Treasurer, Board Member, and Director of Government Relations.  On a national level he has served as a National Service Officer and Director of Medical Services.
  

Meet our Leadership

Key Objectives

     The Key Objective of the BAWPVA is to take those actions necessary to restore spinal cord injured or diseased veterans' bodies and life potentials as closely as is humanly possible to those Americans not suffering spinal cord dysfunction. This will be accomplished by the coordinated efforts of the PVA organization through programs:

  • To advocate for and monitor the delivery of high quality and appropriate health care benefits and services.
  • To assist in identifying and securing veterans' benefits and other benefits for spinal cord injured and diseased veterans and others as appropriate.
  • To promote medical research to cure spinal cord dysfunction and other related problems.
  • To educate society on the attitudinal, physical and legal barriers which confront persons with disabilities and to influence the removal of those barriers.
  • To provide information to and opportunities for health promotion, recreation, employment, sports, services and camaraderie for spinal cord injured and diseased veterans and others as appropriate.
  • To provide for cooperation with and seek the support of other groups and individuals who share BAWPVA's objectives.
  • To acquaint the public with the current and ongoing needs and current and past contributions of America's veterans.
  • To acquaint the public with simple and effective means for reducing the risk of or preventing spinal cord injury.
  • To promote involvement of the public in national and local activities that support BAWPVA's mission.