Phoenix area nonprofit helps veterans in need across Arizona

Many veterans dwelling on fastened incomes are routinely priced out of houses as a consequence of spiking lease costs throughout the state.

Final yr, the Fountain Hills-based Veterans Medical Management Council gave out greater than $300,000 in rental help to greater than 400 Arizona veterans and their households to forestall them from changing into homeless.

The council has skilled a surge in demand for companies and the group’s leaders say they may use double the quantity of funding they’ve to fulfill veterans’ wants. The group gives assets and help to veterans who are on the point of homelessness, unemployment and even suicide.

Veterans who’re in want can apply for companies together with emergency house and auto repairs, help with utility payments and therapy for post-traumatic stress dysfunction. Veterans have to be registered on the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Well being Care System and have to be assigned a social employee to obtain companies.

Two applications beneath the council are the Returning Warrior and Navajo Aid applications. Since 2005, the Returning Warrior Program has assisted veterans with transitioning again into civilian life. Monetary help and medical bills that aren’t coated by the VA well being care system are a number of the companies supplied.

The Navajo Aid Program started in 2020 because of the affect of COVID-19 in Native American communities. This system assists Navajo veterans by offering entry to water, electrical energy and housing. Provides are delivered by helicopter to Navajo veterans. 

A $7,500 Season for Sharing grant helped forestall 40 veterans and their households from changing into homeless.

The 2021 Season for Sharing marketing campaign raised $1.8 million for 164 Arizona charities, together with the Veterans Medical Management Council. The annual grant-making effort was created in 1993 by The Arizona Republic/azcentral. In that point, greater than $72 million has been donated to charities across the state that assist struggling youngsters and households, older adults and college students and academics.  

Lt. Col. Tom Eisiminger Jr., president of the Veterans Medical Management Council, mentioned, “It is not a handout. They’ve earned it. It is a travesty if any veteran finally ends up homeless and on the streets.”

Donations to the veterans group will be made on-line at arizonavmlc.org/donate/. Donations to Season for Sharing are accepted year-round at sharing.azcentral.com or by texting “SHARING” to 91-999.

Roxanne De La Rosa covers Arizona’s nonprofit neighborhood. Attain her at rdelarosa@azcentral.com.