May 05/01 - 05/31 | Click on a nonprofit to learn more.
-
Michigan Veterans Foundation
Detroit, MI
The Michigan Veterans Foundation's mission is to fill the gaps in services for Michigan’s veterans. Through the Detroit Veterans Center, they provide safe housing and training to help veterans successfully transition into civilian life.
www.michiganveteransfoundation.org/Proposed Project
The Michigan Veterans Foundation has a transitional housing program that accommodates 106 homeless male veterans. They also provide permanent supportive housing on-site at the Detroit Veterans Center and have two houses located off-site in the city of Detroit. Their plan for the $250,000 would be to further develop our all Veterans Village by purchasing additional houses along with planting a community garden for the vets, as well as to acquire a building that will be used as a Safe Haven/Youth Enrichment Center. The center will have veterans that will serve as mentors and homework helpers. We will plant grass and sod, new shrubbery, and flowers, install exterior security lighting, utility sheds, lawn equipment, and new appliances for each of the homes such as a washer, dryer, microwave oven, and refrigerator. The PSH program for veterans will be linked to a wide range of comprehensive support services to include mental health and physical health services, substance abuse, and other chronic health challenges.
1463Vote -
Stiggy's Dogs
Howell, MI
Stiggy's Dogs transforms shelter dogs into individually trained Psychiatric Service Animals for military veterans living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and traumatic brain injuries at no cost to the veteran.
stiggysdogs.org/Proposed Project
In 2012, Stiggy's Sanctuary turned from a vision to reality because of The Home Depot’s Aprons in Action program. Winning the finale would mean immediate benefits to the veteran and rescue animal communities. Within a month, Stiggy's Dogs would be able to start pairing significantly more veterans than in prior years through expanded programs and enhanced staffing. More importantly, the money could be used to start building the next phase of the Sanctuary – A large training facility where dog and veteran pairings can learn the skills necessary to make successful partners.
7159Vote -
Grand Rapids Home for Veterans
Grand Rapids, MI
The mission of Grand Rapids Home for Veterans is to provide compassionate, quality, interdisciplinary care for their members. They work to provide an environment that promotes meaningful quality of life by being a center of excellence in long term care. Through their work, the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans strives to exceed our customer's expectations, to treat everyone with compassion, dignity, and respect, to value each member, family, significant other, and staff service as important resources, and to recognize and honor all service to our country by the military, veterans, and individuals.
www.michigan.gov/dmva/0,1607,7-126-2362_2749---,00.htmlProposed Project
The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans has begun the undertaking of veteran room renovations for the past eight months to the extent of their funding and resources. They were able to complete six rooms for veterans who reside the home. The renovation goal is to take all of the four bedroom units into semi-private rooms and two bedroom units into single rooms. The rooms have to be gutted and then a semi-private wall constructed with new floors, walls, ceilings, fixtures, as well as a custom armoire closet for storage. These rooms are bright, spacious and reflect a home-like, private environment. With the $250,000 for resources and the hands of The Home Depot’s volunteers, an entire floor can be renovated at the home. That one floor alone cares for almost 70 veterans, 365 days a year, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. These rooms are where most of our veterans spend their last days and deserve to rest, laugh and be cared for with dignity and comfort.
27684Vote -
Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio
Columbus, OH
Volunteers of America (VOA) is one of the largest nonprofit providers of affordable housing in the U.S. with a focus specifically on veterans, low-income families with children, the disabled and senior citizens.
www.voago.org/Proposed Project
Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio will build Home for the Brave, housing for homeless female veterans with learning, technology and activity space to help alleviate suffering and let healing begin. Home for the Brave programs would provide free, safe, temporary housing, job services, and mental health and PTSD treatment to help our veteran heroes regain their independence.
2138Vote -
Saratoga County RPC – VETHELP
Ballston Spa, NY
The mission of Saratoga County Rural Preservation Company’s VETHELP program is to serve the needs of homeless military veterans by empowering them to embrace and maintain independent living and self-sufficiency. This is effectively accomplished by helping them secure temporary and permanent housing, viable employment, and access to health care and address other issues facing these veterans in their journey through life.
www.vethelpny.org/Proposed Project
Saratoga RPC - VETHELP hopes to finish a wellness area in their transitional home for female veterans, who are nearly four times more likely to be homeless than non-veteran women. In addition to finishing their original project, they would use the funds from this contest to open a thrift store and training facility adjacent to their female home. This would be used to orient their female veterans to the workforce and allow them to earn wages to help further their independence. It would also assist them in developing the skills needed to re-enter the workforce once they “graduate” from their program. Additionally, the Thrift Store would provide their organization with sustainable funding to continue their mission as a private nonprofit organization committed to ending veteran homelessness.
9487Vote -
AMVETS Post 44
Struthers, OH
AMVETS improves the quality of life for veterans, their families and the communities where they live through leadership, advocacy and services.
Proposed Project
AMVETS Post 44 Career Center will utilize any money won to enlarge their current Career Center and add classes in job search skills, repair or replace the roof of our building, and eventually build a pavilion for veterans and their families to enjoy next to the Post building.
5641Vote -
Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI)
Seattle, WA
The Low Income Housing Institute develops, owns and operates housing for the benefit of low-income, homeless and formerly homeless people in Washington state; advocates for just housing policies at the local and national levels; and administers a range of supportive service programs to assist those we serve in maintaining stable housing and increasing their self-sufficiency.
www.lihi.org/Proposed Project
The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) provides homes for 413 low-income veterans, most of whom were previously homeless. LIHI will utilize the funds to help pay for the new and renovated homes for 50 veterans. The $250,000 would bring homeless veterans off the streets into affordable apartments where they will receive free supportive services to help them overcome barriers to stability. Funds will also go towards hygiene services for homeless veterans at LIHI’s Urban Rest Stop. Over 1,000 homeless veterans utilize the Urban Rest Stop for free showers, laundry, restrooms, and information and referral services.
49514Vote -
The 313 Project
Detroit, MI
The 313 Project connects the legal community to Detroit’s underserved areas through pro bono, service and charitable efforts. They pledge to work towards the Detroit-focused causes of community service, education/empowerment, and mentorship, many of which serve veterans and their families.
the313project.org/Proposed Project
THE 313 PROJECT serves Detroiters in need, veterans and youths, through legal aid and resource clinics, empowerment classes, and community building projects like neighborhood cleanups. They are in the process of constructing an office, classroom, and counseling space for veterans and young people impacted by the juvenile system on Detroit's east side. Winning Aprons in Action would make their dream of opening a legal aid and resource center a reality.
2766Vote -
VFW Post 2777
Burton, MI
VFW Post 2777 works to ensure that every veteran is taken care of. They have sent more than 12,000 care packages overseas to troops and were voted 6th in the nation for giving back.
vfw2777.org/Proposed Project
VFW Post 2777 has a history of community involvement. They would use the funds to further the ability of the post to continue helping the community and veterans. Projects completed would involve making the post handicapped accessible by widening doorways for wheelchair accessibility, building ramps, and remodeling bathrooms. The parking lot is also in need of a major reconstruction to make entry to the facility handicapped accessible. Additionally, adjustments will be made to the kitchen to enlarge the space, allowing the facility to better accommodate larger functions and better serve the organizations that use the post. Kitchen appliances must be replaced to continue food service. These are just a few of the many things VFW Post 2777 needs as a post to continue giving back to the community.
2471Vote -
Active Heroes
Louisville, KY
The mission of Active Heroes is to strengthen military families, serve veterans, and benefit active duty military by providing financial support and community reintegration through financial assistance, active challenges, leadership training, and community outreach.
activeheroes.org/Proposed Project
Active Heroes will use the $250,000 grand prize to build a retreat for wounded veterans and military families to receive mental and physical therapy. They envision a peaceful and tranquil place where military families will engage in team building activities and challenge courses. The "Active Heroes Retreat" will change the quality of life for veterans in many ways. With the help of Team Depot and a partnership with the Home Builders Association, Active Heroes will select the land and begin construction for an office, classrooms, sectioned camping sites and log cabins to house the families. Each month, the land will be used to give other military organizations a fun filled adventure getaway while allowing veterans to camp for free. Active Heroes will then work with therapists and social workers to organize class room sessions to help curve the rate of 22 veterans a day committing suicide.
53050Vote
