The laptop program is absolutely amazing and came right on time. As a returning student being up to date with the technology and class requirements can be so overwhelming. Having the support from Veteran Services really helps me to be equipped, confident and prepared to continue my education. Thank you

This is my last semester for my associate in health science here at Virginia Western. Thank you, Virginia Department of Veterans Services and Tech for Troops for the laptop. It has gone to good use in making earning this degree possible.

The laptop is good to use to me because I’m learning IT and moving towards Network Engineering. This laptop will help to improve my time to complete assignments, to learn to program a system, keep it safe from hacking, and protection of the cybersecurity information that I will come to know. I’ll be able to save information and go back to it if I need to. The knowledge I am getting is necessary for my change of careers to IT. I may be able to use information to further increase my career in the electrical field.

Ever since I got this laptop, it has helped me greatly. It is faster, more efficient and easier to navigate. I was able to do my schoolwork on it, while also doing things that helped with video games and with my actual work when I needed to get things done. I highly recommend any veterans possible to enter the program and get one of these awesome laptops if possible. Also today is my 38th birthday! I’m glad that I was able to participate in the program.

By having a laptop it has greatly helped me with my completing my assignments. Previously I had to use the computers at the college or the Blue Ridge Library which had available and time constraints. This was further limited for engineering classes like CADD classes which requires AutoCAD software. By having a laptop I was able to download student versions of AutoCAD software and work on assignments outside of classroom hours, at home or anywhere else I could. I recently got a Hotspot from Student Support Services and which gives me more mobility and can do assignments and research anywhere I can get a cellular signal.

VSF funds were applied to a down payment on a rental for a difficult-to-place veteran following his incarceration.  He has regained employment, so will be able to easily maintain all associated costs on his own.

This veteran has experienced a deterioration in his living situation caused by well-documented (and reported to the police) harassment from nearby tenants/neighbors. Very willing to leave but unable to afford new move-in costs, VSF funds covered his relocation to an affordable unit that prevents any further harm to his wellbeing and dignity.  He will be easily able to self-sustain hereafter.

VSF funds were applied to cover a portion of 1 month’s rental arrears.  The veteran experienced a car accident resulting in injuries, lost wages due to hospitalization and recovery and extensive vehicle repairs.  VSF funds prevented her eviction as well as that of her minor children.  Now back to work and continuing to recover, she will be able to self-sustain hereafter.

We have used VSF funds to temporarily shelter a female veteran with small children while VA moves forward with the delivery of a HUDVASH voucher.  In doing so, we have prevented her homelessness, as well as two children under school age.  This has been a challenging case due to timelines, but we have received extensive support from Desiree Taylor, Amanda McRacken, the VA HUDVASH team and SSVF provider US Vets to minimize their holdover in a hotel.

This client recently relocated to Virginia virtually empty-handed and penniless, and also battling some fairly extensive mobility limitations as the result of an unsuccessful VA surgery. He has since regained employment and we are using VSF funds to cover part of the costs to move into stable housing.

This client is on a fixed (SSI) income, but had a brief garnishment due to another unknown (to her) and unpaid debt.  This set her back sufficiently to jeopardize her housing status.  She’s elderly and not at all a “good candidate” for homelessness (if there ever were such a thing). To prevent it, we have used VSF funds to resolve her short-term rental arrearages.  The garnishment is done and she will be able to self-sustain hereafter (and had been doing just fine prior to the garnishment).

VSF funds were used to prevent a vet and his spouse from being homeless with two small children (homelessness was caused by the vet having a heart attack and being out of work for several months during recovery). We ensured they were all safely sheltered in a hotel (community-based shelters full). At the end of their stay, they were assisted with housing by another program. The vet is also now cleared by doctors to return to work.

We have helped a single mom (vet) arrange an affordable neuropsychic evaluation for her child because the school system refuses to initiate it and she doesn’t have an insurance carrier who will cover it. With results in hand, she intends to secure an IEP for her child for the fall.

VSF funds (downpayment and first months’ rent) were used to help a homeless, justice involved, Navy veteran move into a room after his release from jail. The veteran is now working with VETE to get back on track with finding a part-time job. The veteran has shared that he is looking forward to finding a job where he can work outdoors, and he also mentioned he is now taking medications for his MH condition, and he is also scheduled to begin a MH support group.

VSF funds were used to help prevent the eviction of a veteran’s widow. She recently lost her husband to service-related illnesses and is pending the VA’s approval of DIC funding (which our Benefits colleagues believe is not a matter of “if,” but “when.”) Aside from a household income change, she also incurred other costs related to final arrangements for her late husband. When DIC comes through, she will be sustainable long term in a property she and her husband have occupied without issues for many years.

VSF completed for a full-time college student who was using his educational benefits for monthly expenses. He did not receive his benefit while being out for the summer break and became behind on rent, putting his at risk of losing his housing and homelessness. The client did have a full-time job but had not been paid yet. He will be able to pay rent moving forward. No community resources were able to assist. Classes/education benefits will resume in August. The client was extremely grateful for the assistance and said, “You saved me!”

Short-term hotel-based sheltering for medically fragile, elderly male veteran. VVFS is working alongside VA, community nonprofits and others for long-term supports (which are approved and underway). VSF funds were used to prevent literal homelessness of this vet while awaiting final inspection of his VA-approved HUDVASH subsidized unit. Veteran has a raft of medical issues which make homelessness, even for a short interval, potentially lethal.

Richmond to Seattle WA via Greyhound. This is a fairly atypical use of VSF funds, authorized in this instance because the veteran is recently-released from incarceration, has secured verifiable admittance into an therapeutic shelter in Washington, has family and a spouse in that area (willing to support financially), and the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision authorized the transfer of oversight. In this instance, VSF funds were used to transfer the veteran to a higher level of care and support than he could obtain here in Virginia. 

Each year we host a Carnival for our veterans, and their families. This is a community sponsored event held with our local veteran service organizations support. Support for the event is provided in numerous ways some set up food booths, provide general assistance & companionship and others choose to support with a monetary donation. Monetary donations help us fund the table/chair rentals, live music for our veterans and decorations for the event. It is always a wonderful day of fellowship with our veterans, their families and the support from the VSO groups. We pick different themes each year to make it an exciting day for all!

There are other non-BH interventions, but these are the ones that stand out to me.

As for BH-related use of VSF funds, we have helped a single mom (vet) arrange an affordable neuropsych eval for her child because the school system refuses to initiate it and she doesn’t have an insurance carrier who will cover it. With results in hand, she intends to secure an IEP for her child for the fall. We have committed to covering therapy for another child whose veteran father has threatened her and her mom both, has outstanding warrants in other states, has violated a Virginia protective order, and who has drained all the family’s savings during several psychotic episodes.

We have also connected four other clients with individual therapists as well. Foundation funds have definitely made an impact this week.

We prevented the elderly widow of a veteran from being evicted while her adult children pooled their funds and committed to long-term subsidy of her increased rent (and end of lease).

We helped shelter a vet who recently fled both domestic violence in his parents home, as well as an assault on him as well. We are taking care of the sheltering in which he has admitted is his lowest point, while working with other organizations that will support his housing/move-in plans.

We helped a veteran avoid losing her VA HUDVASH voucher while she completes the (admittedly underpaying) VA Compensated Work Therapy program, more likely than not landing stable, sustainable employment on the other side of it.

We have used VSF funds to end periods of homelessness/car/hotel for a veteran who was previously was unable to find something in his price range and get over the initial cost hurdle of move-in. When he found the place, we pounced. I believe he’ll have moved in by the end of the day.

We helped keep a veteran and family housed when he a) lost his job while b) his child experienced extensive cardiac issues simultaneously. He’s since reemployed, the kid is doing better, and at least they didn’t lose their home in the midst of it all.

VSF funds were used to help an unhoused National Guard veteran (sole care giver for his son with special needs) secure housing. The veteran lost his job and was living in a hotel with his son. Their only income is SSDI and Door Dash. The veteran continued to work and had managed to save around $700 to help him move into an apartment with his son. The veteran met with a resource specialist who submitted the VSF request on his behalf. VSF funds were used for the veteran’s security deposit, and he and his son moved into their new place at the end of April. The veteran is also working with our V3 team for other employment opportunities.

An elderly veteran who has been living (by choice) for years in a hotel was recently facing literal homelessness due to a VA admin error that temporarily paused his VA disability compensation. The admin error is (or will soon be) resolved, but we have paid a very nominal amount of money to keep him from literal homelessness. He has a raft of medical issues, to include oxygen, and was unsuitable for more traditional sheltering. CMS ID: 1116598
We have helped another vet spouse (and one minor child) where the veteran has abandoned both and currently provides no financial support. She recently experienced a significant hours reduction in one of the two jobs she works, which tipped her over the edge. Since, she’s found alternate employment and should be able to self-sustain. We are also working to figure out why the apportionment claim she filed with the VA in 2021 remains stalled (if approved, she’d get addl support from her husband).

Petersburg VPS (Veteran Peer Specialist) Staten is providing behavioral health resource assistance to a Veteran who is in the Action stage of recovery. The Veteran moved from New Jersey to the Richmond area October of 2023. The Veteran is enrolled for medical benefits at the Richmond VA Medical Center (McGuire Veterans Hospital.) However, the Veteran has been requesting BH therapy from McGuire for six months and has not been successful. The reason for the unsuccessful attempts could be contributed to the high demand for therapy. This was frustrating for the Veteran. VPS Staten encouraged the Veteran to make one more attempt at McGuire, but the Veteran reported that too much time has been spent trying to navigate that option. The Veteran further explained that he “needs help now”. VPS Staten submitted a request to fund BH therapy for the Veteran through the Veterans Services Foundation (VSF). The Veteran has been connected to a private provider and is currently receiving treatment. VPS Staten offered peer support services to the Veteran and was accepted. 

Gulf War US army veteran is the recipient of a subsidized housing voucher (after a multi-year period of housing instability and periods of homelessness), but – due to a motor vehicle accident and back injury – has been unable recently to work. He is currently pursuing a disability claim through SSA. To prevent eviction and loss of the voucher, VVFS covered a very modest sum of the client’s rent, which gives him time to complete his disability application process and/or pursue alternate employment.  CMS ID: 109576

Va Natl Guard soldier self-reported to a VVFS office requesting information/fliers so he could share with his unit/subordinates. As VVFS staff provided that literature and also briefed him on the program’s work, the soldier, a two-time combat deployed veteran, expressed some BH needs of his own, but significant reluctance to engage with treatment. Expressing the requirement of a provider experienced with trauma, anger, transition and retirement issues, VVFS identified a local practitioner. VVFS arranged an introduction with the provider in a three-way conversation. After a few interactions like this, the client indicated a willingness to commit to clinical sessions under VSF funding. On a side note, this marks the second provider we’ve now identified in the south/central area who is willing to work with veterans under VSF funding.

Resource Specialist (RS) Clark assisted an Army spouse with housing assistance. The Veteran family had been living in an Airbnb and depleted their savings.  The Veteran family moved in with their oldest son in his one-bedroom apartment. The Veteran family found an apartment but did not have the funds to pay for first month’s rent. RS provided several resources for the family to seek financial assistance including Volunteers of America (VOA), Friendship Place, Arlington Homeless Services, the Gary Sinise Foundation, Operation Second Chance, Coalition to Salute America Heroes, the Michael E Thornton Foundation, and Modest Needs Org. Unfortunately, none of the organizations had the funds to assist. RS advocated to use Veterans Services Foundation (VSF) funds to cover the family’s first month’s rent. The family was approved for $2500 using VSF funds to cover their first month’s rent. The Veteran family is now settled into their new place. RS and the Veteran family agreed to close the Veteran family’s case as they do not require any further assistance from VVFS at this time.  

Resource Specialist (RS) Robinson assisted an Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Army Veteran seeking housing assistance due to experiencing domestic abuse from a former romantic partner/roommate. Having recently suffered a stroke impacting his speech and mobility, the Veteran aimed to flee from the unsafe environment. RS contacted various local organizations on behalf of the Veteran and connected him with regional resources, including Prince William’s Coordinated Entry domestic abuse shelters and Volunteers of America. To secure immediate safety, the Veteran used his disability check to pay for a hotel.  However, the Veteran did not have enough funds to sustain his hotel stay. Given the Veteran’s unique circumstances, RS requested and received approval for the use of Veterans Services Foundation (VSF) funds for the Veteran to stay at a hotel. With the Veteran in a secure environment, RS is assisting the Veteran with locating and budgeting for new housing, connecting the Veteran to a behavioral health provider, and arranging transportation resources. RS will continue to monitor Veteran’s progress to ensure the Veteran’s needs are met.

ARM worked with an active Army National Guard member, who became behind on rent while between jobs. The client lived with his partner and three dependent children. They faced eviction and had no family support in the area. A VSF was completed for $2500 to pay for their back rent and to provide supplemental assistance until the client was able to obtain employment. The client was able to obtain employment and returned to school to become an EMT. The client was incredibly grateful to DVS for assisting his family and preventing them from being homeless.

ARM Patrick worked with a non-service-connected Vietnam Marine veteran, who has been struggling financially since his wife passed away in early 2023. The client only received $966 a month. The client became behind on rent after overdrawing his account after paying $500 for a high-power bill during colder months. A VSF was completed for $2,500 to get him caught up on his lot rent and to provide supplemental assistance for his rent until he was able to receive his pension. The client was able to receive his pension, was able to get caught up on rent, and other bills as a result. ARM explored behavioral health supportive services with the veteran, the veteran is receiving treatment at the Salem VAMC. ARM also connected the veteran to food assistance and other supportive services. The client is now under stable housing and financial management of his bills. The client was very grateful to DVS.

Veteran was referred to VVFS by Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), they are going to recertify him for case management services, but they are unable to help with rent arrears of $2274.00. RS Zirkle talked to landlord and a Writ was pending and issued by the local Sheriff’s Department. RS called landlord to see what was needed to stop the Writ. The only way the landlord would stop the process was an (email) had to be sent stating payment would be made. RS staffed and worked on the case with the RC and RD. A VSF was submitted and approved to pay $2274.00. RS continued working with SSVF and they agreed to pay one month’s rent of $650.00. This prevented the veteran entering a homeless situation and the veteran was very thankful for our assistance.

An elderly Veteran, who is disabled, and physically vulnerable was residing in a senior living facility in Richmond, VA. The Supportive Services for Veteran Services (SSVF) program was assisting the Veteran with his housing. However, the Veteran obtained fees on his account that the SSVF Program could not assist with because of their grant budget. A VSF request was submitted and approved and the Veteran was able to maintain his housing in the senior living property.

An elderly Veteran located a unit in Charlottesville, VA. He is currently employed in the law enforcement field in the area. The property advertised a promotion for the 1st month free and the Veteran moved in. The promotion was applied for the month of December and then was later explained that the Veteran did not qualify for the promotion and would need to pay December rent. The Veteran was unable to provide the funds, $2,600, at the time and needed rental assistance to avoid eviction. A request was made for VSF Homeless subfund and was approved. The Veteran was able to maintain housing.

The Veteran was stably for an extended period and the landlord decided to sell the property in March 2023. All residents, including the Veteran, were asked to vacate the premises. The Veteran was unable to secure housing and returned to homelessness from March 2023-July 2023. During that time the Veteran was staying in his vehicle, shelters and from time to time a hotel room, when he could afford it. Fortunately, the Veteran was able to enroll in the HUD VASH program with the VA Medical Center (VAMC) to receive housing assistance. The Veteran needed assisted living and a unit was located and secured. However, there was a $3000 community fee that the VAMC could not assist with, but was needed for the Veteran to move-in. The VSF subfund was able to assist with the remaining $1500 that was needed after utilizing other community resources. The Veteran was then able to obtain stable housing.

January 2024 – A deceased veteran’s family asked for assistance with funds for his cremation. The family had recently faced a number of deaths and were strapped for funds. The veteran’s family had contacted other agencies along with VVFS for help. The difference between other agencies that help and VVFS is the turnaround time to receive funds – the veteran’s family was waiting for funds from other agencies and did not have a date when the funds would be received, which was causing an issue with the funeral home. VVFS was able to send payment in a timely manner ( after coordination/verification) which was taken as a sign of good faith by the funeral home. This allowed the family additional time to gather funds and eased the minds of the funeral home staff who then started working more to assist the family.

February 2024 – A justice involved male veteran, who is currently on probation, was seeking funds to pay for behavioral health services. The veteran told his Veteran Justice Specialist (VJS) that he does not have the funds to pay for therapy, but mentioned to her that he is committed to seeking treatment and a stated that he feels with the right help he can overcome his struggles. The veteran’s VJS was able to find him a therapist in the community. The veteran is currently seeing a therapist and receiving the support he needs.