Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans Receives $125,000 Grant From The Home Depot Foundation to Help Veterans
Local funds part of $1.6 million in grants for Volunteers of America veterans programs nationwide
Media Contact:
Al Kohorst
Volunteers of America
(o) 504-486-8672 | (c) 504-224-0624
New Orleans, LA (July 9, 2015) – The Home Depot® Foundation pledged a $125,000 grant to Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans to address the critical housing needs of U.S. military veterans. This grant is part of $1.6 million in grants announced for 10 Volunteers of America homeless veterans programs in seven states that will be used to refurbish or build 354 housing units for vulnerable veterans.
The men and women who bravely protect our country often return home with wounds, both physical and mental, which make it difficult to return to civilian life. Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans aims to ease their transition by helping veterans find housing and jobs.
Nationally, Volunteers of America serves more than 10,000 homeless veterans each year in 46 cities. The funds allocated locally to Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans will be used to completely replace the HVAC systems at both the Napoleon Avenue and South Dupre Street facilities. Funds will also be used to replace all vinyl tile with ceramic tiles at the Napoleon Avenue facility.
“Our long-standing relationship with The Home Depot has been vital to serving veterans and their families in our community. We are so appreciative of this assistance to help improve our facilities for 46 veterans that we serve through our Veterans Transitional Housing Facility,” says James LeBlanc, President and CEO of Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans.
In addition to the grants, Volunteers of America affiliates are supported by Team Depot, The Home Depot’s associate-led volunteer force. Team Depot volunteers have already made a difference at Volunteers of America homeless veteran housing sites across the country.
About Volunteers of America
Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need live healthy, safe and productive lives. Since 1896, our ministry of service has supported and empowered America’s most vulnerable groups, including veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, at-risk youth, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, those recovering from addictions and many others. Through hundreds of human service programs, including housing and health care, Volunteers of America helps almost 2.5 million people in over 400 communities. Our work touches the mind, body, heart and ultimately the spirit of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services. Learn more at www.voa.org.
About The Home Depot Foundation
The Home Depot Foundation is dedicated to improving the homes of U.S. military veterans through financial and volunteer resources to help nonprofit organizations. The Foundation has pledged $80 million to these efforts over five years, and since 2011 has invested more than $65 million to ensure every veteran has a safe place to call home.
Through Team Depot, the company’s associate-led volunteer program, thousands of Home Depot associates volunteer their time and talents to positively transform neighborhoods and perform basic repairs and modifications to homes and facilities serving veterans with critical housing needs.
Since its formation in 2002, The Home Depot Foundation has granted more than $380 million to nonprofit organizations improving homes and lives in local communities. To learn more and see our associates in action, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org.
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