FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – United Way of Broward County announced today that it has been awarded a $25,000 grant from The Veterans Trust to be used for the replication and expansion of its MISSION UNITED business model to other counties throughout Florida. MISSION UNITED is a critical program supporting US military service members, veterans and their families in Broward County by helping them re-acclimate to civilian life. Key focus areas include employment, education, health, legal assistance, emergency financial aid, and housing.
Thomas Ellis Senior Director at MISSION UNITED of United Way of Broward County Kathleen Cannon President CEO of United Way of Broward County and Fred Roger Executive Director of The Veterans Trust. Photos Courtesy of United Way of Broward County
With this grant, United Way of Broward County will be able to consult with other counties throughout the state of Florida to help them convene a multi-agency approach to support a similar design and structure like MISSION UNITED to help military service members, veterans and their families.
“We are very happy to have received the Veteran’s Trust Replication and Expansion Grant to help other counties launch similar programs to MISSION UNITED,” said Kathleen Cannon, President & CEO of United Way of Broward County. “Reaching veterans throughout Broward County has been such a success for us to date. We are grateful that other organizations throughout the state would be like to be able to reach and support their military service members, local veterans, and their families, as well.”
“The Veterans Trust is proud to work with such dedicated people and organizations that make meaningful impacts in our veteran community. This marks the beginning of a cultural shift that inspires veterans to take charge and lead the way into the future.” says Fred Roger, Executive Director of The Veterans Trust.
In just over a year and a half since its launch, United Way of Broward County’s MISSION UNITED program has provided assistance to more than 1,500 active military service members, veterans and their families in the areas of housing, employment, education, health, legal assistance and emergency financial aid. MISSION UNITED has responded to more than 1,000 calls for legal assistance, and the recruitment of more than 290 lawyers has provided pro bono legal assistance to veterans and military families. More than 460 veterans and military families have secured housing, and MISSION UNITED is currently working with more than 70 businesses to find veterans jobs. Recently, MISSION UNITED was awarded the prestigious 2014 United Way Common Good Award which is given annually to only three out of 1800 United Way chapters worldwide, signifying the success of this initiative.
About United Way of Broward County
United Way of Broward County is a volunteer driven, community-based, non-profit organization servicing Broward County for 75 years. United Way of Broward County mission is to focus and unite the entire community to create significant lasting change in the impact areas of Education, Income and Health, the building blocks for a better life, which positively impacts people’s lives. United Way of Broward County is the catalyst for change and convener of partnerships that unite the hearts, minds, and resources within the Broward community. For more information, visit www.UnitedWayBroward.org.
About United Way of Broward County's MISSION UNITED
MISSION UNITED is a critical program supporting US military service members, veterans and their families in Broward County by helping them re-acclimate to civilian life. Key focus areas include employment, education, health, legal assistance, emergency financial aid and housing. MISSION UNITED was created with multiple partners to align existing military services and create programs where there are gaps in support. For more information on MISSION UNITED, please call 954-4-UNITED or visit www.MissionUnited.org.
About The Veterans Trust
The Veterans Trust is a Florida-based grant-making foundation dedicated to empowering a generation of veterans who are transitioning back into the civilian world.The organization cooperates, coordinates, and collaborates with existing resources. By maximizing impact and effectiveness and minimizing duplication of efforts and the inefficient deployment of contributed dollars, The Veterans Trust serves as a hub for developing networks for leadership and providing access to resources, business grants and other services.
For more information, contact 760-458-1065 or fredroger@theveteranstrust.com.
