The Home Depot Foundation Announces $1.15 Million in New Grants to Nonprofits Serving Veterans in Los Angeles

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) Atlanta, GA - September 12, 2011 - As part of its “Celebration of Service” initiative to honor U.S. military veterans, The Home Depot®  Foundation today announced $1.15 million in grants to nonprofits dedicated to the critical housing needs of U.S. military veterans in Los Angeles.  The grant recipients are Local Initiatives Support Corporation of Los Angeles, New Directions, Inc. and People in Progress, and together they provide services to more than 1,000 veterans on an annual basis.

Each Monday between September 11 and Veterans Day (November 11), The Home Depot Foundation will announce approximately $1 million in grants to veterans’ initiatives for a total of $9.1 million.  Grants announced during “Celebration of Service” are part of The Home Depot Foundation’s commitment of $30 million over three years to veterans’ housing needs. 

“The Home Depot Foundation is committed to ensuring that every veteran has a safe place to call home, and we are impressed with the quality of work being done by New Directions, LISC L.A. and People in Progress,” said Kelly Caffarelli, president, The Home Depot Foundation. “By funding much needed upgrades, repairs and expansions to these nonprofits’ facilities, we know that more veterans and their families will have a place to be together, to heal and to move forward with their lives.”

In addition to receiving funding, each nonprofit announced today will also be supported by Team Depot, the Company’s associate-led volunteer force:

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) of Los Angeles, $500,000, Los Angeles, CA

LISC L.A. is dedicated to transforming distressed neighborhoods into healthy and sustainable communities of choice and opportunity.  It will use grant support from The Home Depot Foundation to help cover the cost of renovating Westside Residence Hall, a transitional housing facility for homeless veterans with on-site support services provided by U.S.VETS and funded by the Veterans Administration.  Grant support from The Home Depot Foundation will be used to:

1. Rehab and repair a former college dormitory to create 307 units of affordable housing for veterans, with rents ranging from $375-$600.

2. Team Depot will be performing landscaping and painting activities at this complex on September 15.

• New Directions, Inc., $400,000, Los Angeles, CA

New Directions, Inc. provides comprehensive services to more than 600 veterans in Los Angeles, including housing, substance abuse treatment, counseling, remedial education, job training and placement, as well as parenting and money management classes.  Grant support from The Home Depot Foundation will be used to:

1. Rehab and expand two foreclosed 4-bedroom homes, including replacing windows and floors, adding baths and installing new appliances.  The homes will be rented to formerly homeless veterans who are now employed.

2. Renovate and repair two houses that provide transitional housing to women veterans, including replacing the flooring, expanding the kitchens and making a bath ADA accessible.

3. Repair and upgrade a facility that provides more than 150 beds of transitional housing for men.

4. Team Depot, the Company’s associate-volunteer program, has already painted, landscaped and performed repairs at one New Directions’ facility.

• People in Progress, $250,000, Los Angeles, CA

People in Progress provides support services to individuals and families dealing with substance abuse, economic deprivation, hunger and homelessness.  Grant support from The Home Depot Foundation will be used to:

1. Renovate two properties that provide housing for 40 veterans.

2. Replace flooring, plumbing, exterior siding, roof and paint.

3. Team Depot will paint, build exterior stairways and landscape the properties.

ABOUT CELEBRATION OF SERVICE
“Celebration of Service” is a major campaign by The Home Depot and The Home Depot Foundation to enhance the lives of U.S. military veterans and to highlight the needs and opportunities they face.  The campaign includes:

• 200 service projects: In partnership with The Mission Continues, The Home Depot associate-volunteers will be completing 200 service projects directly aimed at improving homes, facilities and community centers where veterans and their families live and receive services. 

• $9 million in grants:  Each Monday between September 11 and November 11, The Home Depot Foundation will announce grants of approximately $1 million to nonprofits dedicated to veterans’ housing issues

• A gift card that gives back:  When customers purchase this specially-themed Home Depot gift card during Celebration of Service, five percent of the value placed on the card will go to The Home Depot Foundation to support nonprofits dedicated to veterans’ housing needs.  Gift cards may be purchased in our stores or online at www.homedepot.com.

• 3 Doors Down:  During Celebration of Service, when you buy multi-platinum rock band 3 Doors Down’s new CD “Time of My Life” from www.homedepot.com, $1 of the sale will go directly to support The Home Depot Foundation’s veterans’ housing initiatives.  The music of 3 Doors Down has inspired and comforted veterans, active duty troops and their families for many years

To learn more about The Home Depot Foundation’s commitment to veterans and “Celebration of Service” campaign, please visit www.homedepotfoundation.org. 

ABOUT THE HOME DEPOT FOUNDATION
The Home Depot Foundation is committed to ensuring that every U.S. military veteran has a safe place to call home.  In April 2011, the Foundation a three-year, $30 million initiative to address veterans’ critical housing needs.

Since its formation in 2002, The Home Depot Foundation has granted more than $270 million to nonprofit organizations improving homes and lives in local communities.  To learn more and see our associates in action, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org, follow us on Twitter @homedepotfdn, and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation.

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