The Home Depot® Foundation Provides Volunteers of America with More than $2 Million to Provide Homes and Services to Veterans in Need
Funding will benefit 15 programs that serve hundreds of homeless vets nationwide
Alexandria, Va., June 17, 2013 /3BL Media/ – Expanding on an already vibrant partnership, The Home Depot® Foundation has pledged $2.075 million in new grants to Volunteers of America affiliates to address the critical need for housing and services for U.S. military veterans.
The grants include funds totaling approximately $1.475 million for 15 Volunteers of America homeless veterans programs in nine states. These grants will be used to refurbish or build housing for up to 767 male and female homeless veterans. This includes a $500,000 pledge to help renovate Navy Village Apartments in San Pedro, Calif., operated by Volunteers of America Greater Los Angeles. The former naval housing property ultimately will provide 76 two-bedroom units of affordable housing for formerly homeless veterans, including 50 units set aside for women vets and their families. The remaining $100,000 will be provided to Volunteers of America’s national office.
Since beginning its partnership with Volunteers of America in April 2011, The Home Depot Foundation has pledged almost $5 million to the organization over three years to benefit homeless veterans. Volunteers of America is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit organizations addressing veterans’ needs. Nationally, it serves more than 10,000 homeless veterans each year in 46 cities.
Affiliates and housing programs receiving new grants from The Home Depot Foundation include:
- Volunteers of America Delaware Valley (“Home for the Brave/Aletha Wright Center”): Transitional housing program for up to 99 homeless male veterans in Camden, N.J.
- Volunteers of America of Florida (“Tallahassee Veterans Village”): Transitional supportive housing for 52 formerly homeless male and female veterans, specifically those with substance dependence or mental illness, in Tallahassee, Fla.
- Volunteers of America of Florida (“Punta Gorda Veterans Housing”): Supportive transitional housing for 24 homeless male and female veterans in Punta Gorda, Fla. Services include job training, mental health and substance abuse treatment.
- Volunteers of America of Florida (“Veterans Mobile Service Van”): Van provides necessary home repairs and modifications for disabled and elderly veterans referred by the VA’s home health care providers. The van is equipped as a repair truck, and provides job experience for veterans in job training programs as well as opportunities for Team Depot® volunteers to assist with projects.
- Volunteers of America Greater Los Angeles (“Veterans Safe House”): Transitional housing and supportive services like substance abuse and/or mental health treatment for 60 homeless male veterans in Los Angeles.
- Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans (“Pitt Street Veterans Transitional Housing”): Transitional housing and supportive services for up to 20 male homeless veterans in New Orleans.
- Volunteers of America Greater New York (“Veterans Safe House”): Short-term transitional housing for 174 homeless veterans in Bronx, N.Y., with the goal of moving up to longer-term housing and treatment within six months.
- Volunteers of America Greater New York (“Commonwealth Avenue Veterans Residence”): Permanent supportive housing for 150 formerly homeless male and female veterans in Bronx, N.Y.
- Volunteers of America Greater New York (“Patriot House”): Emergency housing in Bronx, N.Y., for 28 women veterans and their minor children, and for veterans coming out of VA medical centers.
- Volunteers of America Greater Ohio (“Cleveland Veteran Resource Center”): Housing and support services for 54 homeless male veterans, located on the Cleveland Veterans’ Administration campus, where men receive support and guidance with close access to VA services while they rebuild their lives.
- Volunteers of America Kentucky (“Shelby Street Transitional Housing for Homeless Veterans”): Transitional housing for 20 homeless or very low-income male veterans in Louisville, Ky.
- Volunteers of America Massachusetts (“Hello House for Women”): Residential recovery program in Boston for up to eight women veterans who are coping with drug addiction and alcoholism.
- Volunteers of America Michigan (“Veterans in Progress Housing Program”): Rural housing program with six units and 18 beds for male and female veterans and their families in Niles, Mich.
- Volunteers of America Western New York (“Supportive Housing for Women Veterans & Families”): Five units of transitional housing and support services for male and female veterans and their families in Rochester, N.Y.
In addition to the grants, Volunteers of America affiliates are supported by Team Depot, The Home Depot’s associate-led volunteer force. Team Depot volunteers have already made a difference at Volunteers of America homeless veteran housing sites across the country.
About Volunteers of America
Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need live healthy, safe and productive lives. Since 1896, our ministry of service has supported and empowered America’s most vulnerable groups, including veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, at-risk youth, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, those recovering from addictions and many others. Through hundreds of human service programs, including housing and health care, Volunteers of America helps almost 2.5 million people in over 400 communities. Our work touches the mind, body, heart and ultimately the spirit of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services. Learn more at www.voa.org.
About The Home Depot Foundation
The Home Depot Foundation is dedicated to improving the homes of U.S. military veterans through financial and volunteer resources to help nonprofit organizations. The Foundation has committed $80 million to these efforts over five years.
Through Team Depot, the company’s associate-led volunteer program, thousands of Home Depot associates volunteer their time and talents to positively transform neighborhoods and perform basic repairs and modifications to homes and facilities serving veterans with critical housing needs.
Since its formation in 2002, The Home Depot Foundation has granted more than $340 million to nonprofit organizations improving homes and lives in local communities. To learn more and see our associates in action, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org.
Contacts:
David Burch, Director, Communications
Volunteers of America
703-341-5054 (o)
404-664-1942 (c)
Catherine H. Woodling, PR & Communications Manager
The Home Depot Foundation
770-384-2304 (o)
678-756-1871 (c)
Catherine_Woodling@HomeDepot.com
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