The Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) (www.dvnf.org) has announced that it has sent a shipment of over $65,000 worth of necessities to assist veterans attending the Mobile Project Homeless Connect. This stand down event for homeless and low-income veterans will be hosted by Housing First in Mobile, Alabama on January 26th.

Housing First, birthed as a homelessness task force in 1993, has developed into an organization that now serves 30 veteran men and women a day. Operating as a one-stop service center Monday through Friday, the facility offers public toilets, a laundry, showers, a daily meal, and access to an array of intervention services including, case management, mental health assessment, employment assistance and housing placement. DVNF partnered with Housing First in 2015 and is excited to work together again and support their January stand down.

This will be the second year DVNF has supported the event. Items included in this year’s Health & Comfort shipment include: blankets, Comfort Kits, assorted clothing items, socks, overnight bags, cleansing wipes and toothpaste.

These items will be given out on Friday, January 26^th at the stand down. DVNF and other local and national organizations will provide assistance to the veterans attending.

From the Housing First website: “Mobile Project Homeless Connect” is designed to provide needed services to the homeless of Mobile and Baldwin Counties. The event will provide legal assistance, dental and vision screenings, and access to housing assistance and mainstream resources (food stamps, state ID’s, etc.). This community event will bring government agencies, academia, health care facilities, faith-based organizations, transportation, law enforcement/court, United Way, businesses, workforce development and other nonprofit agencies together to provide necessary services for the homeless in our community, at no cost to them.”

“We are excited to once again partner with Housing First for this tremendous event that will help so many veterans in need in south Alabama,” said Joseph VanFonda (USMC SgtMaj Ret.), the CEO of DVNF. “It’s our hope that through close partnerships and a caring community, we can help these veterans get back on their feet.”

This is the first Health & Comfort shipment DVNF has sent in 2018. The goal of the program is to provide necessary support to homeless and low-income veterans throughout the country that will help them secure basic necessities and ease their financial burden.

For more, visit www.dvnf.org.

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About DVNF:

The Disabled Veterans National Foundation exists to provide critically needed support to disabled and at-risk veterans who leave the military wounded—physically or psychologically—after defending our safety and our freedom.

We achieve this mission by:

• Providing an online resource database that allows veterans to navigate the complex process of seeking benefits that they are entitled to as a result of their military service, as well as additional resources they need.
• Offering direct financial support to veteran organizations that address the unique needs of veterans, and whose missions align with that of DVNF.
• Providing supplemental assistance to homeless and low-income veterans through the Health & Comfort program and various empowerment resources.
• Serving as a thought leader on critical policy issues within the veteran community, and educating the public accordingly.

For questions or interest in the Health & Comfort program, contact Lauren Hellendall, Health & Comfort Program Coordinator: 202-847-3044 or lhellendall@new.dvnf.org.