The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs has partnered with the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the American Student Council Association to organize the End Veteran Homelessness Challenge. The goal of this partnership is to help Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless obtain affordable housing and everyday household essentials.
In October, student councils at participating schools across the country began competing with each other to raise the most money and collect the most household goods and clothing to benefit homeless or at risk Veterans. The funds collected by the schools will go toward the cost of helping homeless Veterans move into safe, stable housing.
Veterans who are exiting homelessness need essentials that many of us take for granted, like bed sheets, socks and cleaning supplies. They also need kitchen essentials, including pots, pans, plates, utensils, and glasses. By collecting these basic household items, students are helping Veterans transition to stable housing and into the next phase of their lives.
Participating schools include:
California
Eastman Avenue Elementary School, Los Angeles
Florida
Carrollwood Day School, Tampa
Georgia
The Main Street Academy, College Park
New York
P.S. 54, The Bronx
North Carolina
Langtree Charter Academy, Mooresville
Oklahoma
Henry Zarrow International School, Tulsa
Texas
Little Cypress Intermediate School, Orange
Lagos Elementary School , Manor
Homelessness among Veterans nationwide has decreased by 46 percent since 2010, but there is still work to be done to make sure every Veteran has a place to call home. The End Veteran Homelessness Challenge allows people across the country to contribute to that effort.
Since 2010, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s targeted housing vouchers and VA’s homelessness programs have helped more than 600,000 Veterans and their family members avoid homelessness, or move into permanent housing. Through donation programs like the End Veteran Homelessness Challenge, Veterans can continue to receive the support they need to secure and maintain stable housing.
Please contact one of the participating schools if you are in the same area and would like to donate funds or household goods as part of the End Veteran Homelessness Challenge.
- Visit VA’s website to learn more about housing initiatives and other programs for Veterans exiting homelessness.
- Visit naesp.org to learn more about the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the American Student Council Association
- Refer Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless to their local VA medical center, where staff are ready to assist, or urge them to call 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838).
Kevin William Stanford, is employed as a Program Specialist (National Outreach Coordinator) for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Voluntary Service Office. He has worked for VA for 22 years. His responsibilities in this role are to build and sustain internal and external strategic partnerships and to develop programs and partnerships supporting VA and VHA strategic goals.
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