VA Announces Grant for Providence, R.I., Homeless Program

WASHINGTON – Homeless veterans in Rhode Island will have greater access to assistance, thanks to two grants totaling $614,882 awarded to Nickerson Community Center of Providence by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“Only through a dedicated partnership with community- and faith-based organizations can we hope to end homelessness among veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson.  “Rhode Island veterans answered their country’s call to serve during its greatest times of need, and now some live without shelter.  This grant will help them get back on the road to self-reliance.”

Nickerson Community Center will receive a $585,000 grant to operate at 154 Delanie Street in Providence, where services such as job training and referrals, as well as mental health and substance abuse treatments will be offered.  The facility will also receive a $29,882 grant to purchase a van to help with the transportation needs of homeless veterans.

Nickerson’s grants for these projects are among 52 grants recently announced by VA worth nearly $11.6 million to public, private non-profit and faith-based groups for programs assisting homeless veterans.

This latest round of grants brings to more than 10,000 the number of community-based beds provided by public and community non-profit and faith-based organizations with VA funding in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. 

VA has the largest integrated network of homeless assistance programs in the country.  It is the only federal agency that provides substantial one-on-one contact with the homeless.  In many cities and rural areas, VA social workers and other clinicians conduct extensive outreach programs, clinical assessments, medical treatment, alcohol and drug abuse counseling and employment assistance.

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