LTC (Ret.) Deborah Snyder, ORHF’s Founder, recently visited The Washington School for Girls (THEARC) Campus as part of its ongoing Leadership Series, in which THEARC welcomes special visitors to share their experiences and expertise with students. Read more >>>
News Items
A Huge Victory for Homeless Veterans
The New York Times reported that the Veterans Administration (VA) has agreed to provide housing for Veterans in Los Angeles at a VA-owned facility. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has also agreed to appoint a “homeless czar” to ensure the VA’s continued focus on this important issue. View full story >>>> [January 30, 2015]
ORHF Founder Named Woman of Worth by L’Oreal Paris
Each year, L’Oreal Paris recognizes 10 extraordinary women who make a difference – “Women of Worth.” This year, Deborah Snyder, the founder of Operation Renewed Hope Foundation, was recognized as one of those 10 exceptional women. In addition to the recognition for their positive impacts on their communities, each of the honorees’ organizations received a $10,000 donation from L’Oreal Paris.
Read more about the Women of Worth event and the accomplishments of these 10 remarkable women at these web sites:
Women of Worth Video from ORHF 3rd Annual Purple and Gold Gala (April 18, 2015)
Women of Worth Recipients Who Dedicate Their Lives to Supporting out Troops (All Mommy Wants)
Updates
Video from the kickoff event for the 2015 Women of Worth Program, featuring 2014 finalists, including ORHF’s Deborah Snyder.
Morning Joe (3/4/15) – Mika Brzezinskitalks about our Deborah Snyder and ORHF
HUD, VA, AND USICH Announce 33% Drop in Veteran Homelessness Since 2010
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) today released a new national estimate of veteran homelessness in the United States. Data collected during the annual Point-in-Time Count conducted in January 2014 shows there were 49,933 homeless veterans in America, a decline of 33 percent (or 24,837 people) since 2010. This includes a nearly 40 percent drop in the number of veterans sleeping on the street. View full press release>>>
[August 26, 2014]
Veteran Unemployment Rate Continues to Drop
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), reported “The unemployment rate for veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time since September 2001—a group referred to as Gulf War-era II veterans — edged down to 9.0 percent in 2013. The jobless rate for all veterans also edged down to 6.6 percent. Twenty-nine percent of Gulf War-era II veterans reported having a service-connected disability in August 2013, compared with 15 percent of all veterans.” DOL further noted “”Our nation’s veterans and their families have made countless sacrifices on behalf of our nation. Who deserves opportunity more than those who have put their lives on the line defending it? … Veterans have the skills that employers are looking for. They make our nation’s workforce more productive, our companies more profitable and our economy more competitive. Smart businesses recruit veterans because it’s in their self-interest, because they know it’s a sound investment in their bottom line.” View full report>>> [March 20, 2014]
ORHF Awarded Department of Veterans Affairs Grant
In November 2013, the Department of Veterans Affairs awarded ORHF a Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) grant. The SSVF program focuses on ending and preventing homelessness among Veterans and their families. The program is designed to rapidly re-house Veterans experiencing homelessness or assist in maintaining their permanent housing. Case management and supportive services are offered to Veterans living in the Metro DC community. ORHF assists seven areas, including Alexandria, Arlington, DC, Loudoun, Prince William, Prince George and Montgomery counties. Emergency funding (rental assistance, utility assistance, moving expenses, etc.) is provided to eligible participants helping them establish and maintain a housing stability plan. Along with our hearty volunteer team, ORHF now employs case managers and program directors to manage the SSVF program. [November 12, 2013]
VA Announces Additional $4.9 Million to Help Eliminate Veteran Homelessness
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that 25 projects in 11 different states will share approximately $4.9 million in grants to provide enhanced services for homeless Veterans this year. This is in addition to the approximately $300 million in preventive grants awarded earlier this year through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. Read full story>>> [November 12, 2013]
VA Approves $8.8 Million in Grants for Transportation and Renovated Housing
The Department of Veterans Affairs has approved $8.8 million in grants to fund 164 projects in 37 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to rehabilitate currently operational transitional housing projects and acquire vans to facilitate the transportation needs of homeless Veterans. Read full story>>> [November 12, 2013]
Adidas, RGIII Honor Military with Camo Signature Cleat
In November, 2013, Adidas and Robert Griffin III released a special edition Adidas RGIII “Veteran’s Day” Gift Box to pay tribute to America’s troops. All of the profits from the sale of this special shoe were donated to Operation Renewed Hope Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending Veteran Homelessness. Read more>>> [November 7, 2013]
Washington Examiner: Helping Homeless Veterans
In this column, James Jay Carafano discusses the plight of the estimated 62,000 homeless Veterans and the difficulty in breaking the cycle of Veteran homelessness. Mr. Carafano also discusses the multi-faceted efforts of Operation Renewed Hope Foundation (ORHF) to find homes for Veterans and their families or to prevent them from losing their homes. Read the full article here. [March 10, 2013]