PROJECT: VetRelief

In 2013, 21.4 million men and women, or 9 percent of the civilian population, age 18 and over, were veterans. Our nation’s veteran population is projected to crest to over 21.9 million in 2014, according to The United States Department of Veteran Affairs. That’s half a million service men and women entering back into the civilian population in the span of just one year.

Here in Florida, we are home to over 1.6 million veterans and represent the third largest population of veterans in the nation (1.8 million in California and 1.6 million in Texas). This correlates to 12% of Florida’s population 18 years old and over, according to the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs.

Support is available for active duty military and veterans (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reservists) in addition to immediate family members of our service members (spouse or child) residing in Florida. The service members we support must be classified as having an honorable discharge or honorable separation. Please note that membership in The American Legion is NOT a requirement to receive assistance. You honorably served your country and we will do our best to serve you.

All services provided by PROJECT: VetRelief are at no cost to those served.

PROJECT: VetRelief can intimately relate to the needs of our service members, because we have been there. Despite changing times, we recognize that no one better understands the challenges faced by our service members than those who have walked in the same shoes. We are well acquainted with the difficulties of balancing a family budget, stretching every dime, and in some cases, just trying to survive. When faced with limited resources, unexpected life events, employment challenges, or health issues we walk alongside you.

When dealing with a life emergency, PROJECT: VetRelief supports our service members and their families with immediate financial assistance. The funds we provide are not a loan. We grant funds during a financial crisis, no strings attached. Our hope is to keep food on the table or the lights on while a family works through a trying time in their lives. By providing this temporary relief, we are able to deter the possibility of homelessness, malnutrition, loss of basic utilities, termination of employment, or deteriorating health and get them back on their feet.

YOU can help us make a dent in the tragic statistic of 22 veteran suicides a day that happen throughout our nation.

Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) is a major factor in veteran suicides.  There are many forms of assistance for PTS, whether it be counseling, group activities, service animals or just being in the right place at the right time. Look at how we are fighting to end veteran suicide.

BUILDING A NETWORK

There are already organizations who are providing their services for mental health to veterans and their families. In order to stop veteran suicide, PROJECT: VetRelief and The American Legion, Department of Florida believe that this community of organizations need to work together.

Using a vetting process to identify credible sources, Florida programs are invited to join our Coalition Network to come together to better serve our veteran community. Organizations will need a track record working with veterans, have result based references and values that align with our mission.

PROJECT: VetRelief will not only establish a statewide network, but also provide financial assistance to help with treatment, education and awareness of the current epidemic throughout the veteran community.