The Home Depot Foundation Gives $30,000 to Volunteers of America for Homeless Spokane Veterans

Local funds part of almost $750,000 in grants announced today for Volunteers of America homeless veterans programs nationwide.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Sarah Howard
Volunteers of America
of Eastern Washington & Northern Idaho
509.499.9886 or showard@voaspokane.org

Catherine Woodling
The Home Depot Foundation
(770)-384-2304 or Catherine_Woodling@HomeDepot.com

 

Spokane, Wash. – As part of its “Celebration of Service” initiative to honor U.S. military veterans, The Home Depot® Foundation today announced a $30,000 grant to Spokane-based Volunteers of America of Eastern Washington & Northern Idaho to address the critical housing needs of U.S. military veterans. This grant is part of almost $750,000 in grants announced today for 11 Volunteers of America homeless veterans programs in 10 cities. These programs will provide new transitional housing for 242 veterans and eight single-family homes for lease or lease-purchase by veterans.

In Spokane, the funds will benefit two houses providing transitional housing for single, male veterans with a history of homelessness. These two houses—Rest & Recoup house and Eagles’ Rest house—serve a total of 11 veterans at a time. Each of the men in the program have medical, mental health or substance abuse issues that have become barriers to stable housing. Volunteers of America partners with the local VA hospital to identity and address these issues while the men live together in a household setting, learning how to create a home and manage interpersonal relationships. Services offered include intensive case management with a focus on life skills and moving into permanent housing while maintaining a connection to VA services. Veterans also receive access to support services including food, transportation and assistance with budgeting.

Last year, 82% of the veterans who left the program moved into stable housing of their own. Since opening in 2009, the program has been home to more than 70 veterans. Nationally, Volunteers of America serves more than 7,700 homeless veterans each year through 35 programs in 15 states.

“These funds will allow us to do some rehabilitation to the houses to create a better living environment for the veterans we are privileged to serve,” explains Marilee Roloff, president and CEO of Volunteers of America of Eastern Washington & Northern Idaho. The rehabilitations are scheduled to take place over the next three months and will include: a new deck and landscaping for the R & R house; improvements to the heating and cooling systems at Eagles’ Rest; and weatherization, new blinds and bike racks for both houses.

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 the services provided by Volunteers of America affiliates are essential to fulfilling that goal,” said Kelly Caffarelli, president, The Home Depot Foundation. “We are impressed by the quality of work being done by Volunteers of America of Eastern Washington & Northern Idaho, and we hope that our assistance will allow them to serve even more veterans and their families.”

In addition to receiving funding, Volunteers of America affiliates will potentially be supported by Team Depot, the Company’s associate-led volunteer force.

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 Volunteers of America
of Eastern Washington & Northern Idaho:

Volunteers of America of Eastern Washington & Northern Idaho is a locally governed, locally managed affiliate of the national Volunteers of America movement that helps more than two million people each year in more than 400 communities. We began serving Spokane in 1896, that’s 115 years of support and empowerment for the Inland Northwest’s most vulnerable groups, including homeless veterans, women and teens as well as low-income and at-risk children and families. 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.voaspokane.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 pledged 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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