Services for Veterans
In the past four years, Volunteers of America-Greater New York has more than quadrupled services for homeless veterans, adding two programs and expanding another in 2011. Providing short-term emergency shelter and transitional and permanent supportive housing, we serve more than 500 veterans annually.
In addition to addressing their housing needs, we provide a full range of services focusing on both acute and long-term issues, from crisis intervention and counseling, to budget management, employment counseling and recreation. With sensitivity to the complex and individual struggles of veterans, staff also coordinates primary medical care, including mental health and substance use disorder treatment.
Last year, we added 40 transitional housing units in our existing veterans’ programs, providing up to two years additional housing in preparation for finding them permanent housing. Furthermore, the New York City Department of Homeless Services selected us to operate the East 119th Street Veterans Residence, providing permanent supportive housing for up to 174 veterans.
We also opened Patriot House, accepting veterans about to be discharged from Veterans Administration hospitals. Rather than having to enter a general population shelter, Patriot House provides safe, temporary housing to 40 veterans with special needs. It serves both male and female veterans; in fact, 16% of the clients are women.
This year, The Home Depot Foundation allocated $1.37 million in grants to 16 Volunteers of America affiliates to address the critical housing needs of U.S. veterans. Volunteers of America-Greater New York was awarded a grant of $175,000, which will be used to renovate parts of the East 119th Street Veterans Residence including: kitchens and lounges inside the building, as well as the outside areas, which include a courtyard and an adjoining basketball court.
Volunteers of America is committed to serving this vulnerable population.