The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2020 Veteran Services Grant Program to fund key projects that will improve veterans’ access to transportation, housing, health care and other vital services across the state.
The purpose of the Veteran Services Grant Program is to provide services to Oregon veterans by expanding critical services for veterans within a community, region or statewide; promoting access to health care or housing, employment, education and training opportunities; or increasing transportation accessibility and availability.
The program was created by the Oregon Legislature in 2017 with funding from Measure 96, which voters approved overwhelmingly to dedicate a portion of Lottery revenues to serve veterans. This is the second round of funding that has been awarded through this grant.
“If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that we as a state and nation can face any challenge if we stand together,” said Kelly Fitzpatrick, director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “We at ODVA are in awe of the tireless of work of our federal, state and local partners providing critical services to veterans across Oregon amid a pandemic, historic wildfires and other challenges.
“We also applaud the dedication of many partners who have targeted persistent barriers to access for women veterans, veterans of color, LGBTQ veterans and others who have been historically underserved. It is our honor and privilege to support and help expand this work through the Veteran Services Grant Program.”
ODVA received 27 proposals from across Oregon, requesting a total of $1.7 million — demonstrating that the need was several times greater than the amount of funding available. A total of 20 organizations received one-time grant awards ranging from $10,000 to $102,179.
The projects were selected by an evaluation committee composed of members of the Oregon Veterans’ Affairs Advisory Committee, representatives of Oregon’s National Service Organizations, state agencies, and other members of the veteran community from across the state.
Highlights of some of the projects that received grant funding include:
- Services that promote behavioral health and wellness in Washington, Morrow and Wallowa counties
- A program that will serve women veterans and provide peer support to veterans, as well as lowering barriers to entry
- Providing housing security to veterans in rural areas
- Providing counseling for women veterans with military sexual trauma (MST)
- Two of Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes to support work within their communities
- Focused work to serve low-income, homeless, underprivileged and minorities with life skills and educational services
- Legal services
- Food banks, housing stability needs and more.
The complete list of grant awardees and their projects is available on ODVA’s website here: https://www.oregon.gov/odva/agency-programs/grants/Documents/Veteran%20Services%20Grant/Veteran%20Services%20Grant%20Awardees.pdf.
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