Fall-Winter Newsletter: A Message From the Executive Director
Dear Friends:
I love how many new services we implemented this year in DIRECT response to what our veterans asked for! We listened and we took action. Consequently, 2019 has been a year of exploding growth in almost every one of our service areas, including the following:
Growth in the Employment and Training program is expansive with the increase in our HVRP grant. Stay tuned for a host of new training opportunities and certifications, all free of charge!
Growth in the Female vet program has increased exponentially, due largely to our team of focused case managers who specialize in the unique issues and challenges faced by female veterans.
Growth in residential services is exploding as our transitional apartments have been completely renovated and rebuilt with all new mechanicals, studs, flooring, space layouts, kitchens, baths and more. Planning is also well underway for Richards House renovations and expansions, and our brand new permanent housing complex at Liberty Landing will be open in just a few short months!
Growth in our wellness and morale services is incredible with new service offerings like chiropractic care and massage therapy, barber and salon services, and laundry facilities-all free of charge located in a beautifully renovated facility, thanks to our friends at Home Depot Foundation! And we continue to offer art groups on Saturdays, the “hangout” with music, food and peer support, and so much more!
Growth in our Quartermaster, providing food and clothing to veteran families, has exploded with more vets using it during the past year than ever before!
Growth in our Administrative department has been phenomenal as we accomplish the objectives outlined in our three-year Strategic Plan, implement new software for our finance team, execute exciting employee programs focused on staff appreciation and development, streamline and apply cost saving measures in our facilities department, enhance IT infrastructure and cybersecurity, and more! We are also pleased to announce the creation of a brand new position at VOC called Director of Risk Management, which is designed primarily to help staff with crisis mitigation efforts and suicide prevention for our veterans.
Growth in our Advancement team is remarkable with goals being met or surpassed on our fundraising efforts, the rollout of a capital campaign, more targeted marketing efforts, an improved social media presence and more!
New Flag store merchandise, a focus on reducing the cost of goods sold, and building our ecommerce abilities has resulted in terrific growth for our retail operation (which is designed such that all proceeds support our veteran programs).
Everywhere I look, I am seeing forward progress at VOC. And that is exactly where we want to be because without progress, we are either stagnant or irrelevant. I couldn’t be more proud of our staff and the veterans we serve who are determined to move their lives forward, and I couldn’t be more appreciative of our donors and stakeholders who help make it all possible.
Sincerely,
Laura Stradley
Executive Director
Veterans Outreach Center
U.S. Army Veteran