ODVA Awards Grants Oregon department of veterans’ affairs helps fund vital services and programs across oregon Divide Camp, located in the pristine wilderness of the Wallowa Mountains, was among the nonprofit organizations, government agencies and Tribal governments to receive funding.
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wenty-twenty was a historic year of unprecedented challenges, but it fully displayed the strength and resilience of the Oregon veteran community, as well as the creativity and doggedness of the hard-working veteran service officers, agencies and nonprofits who help veterans and their families. The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs was grateful to be able to support and help expand on some of this important work with an additional round of funding this year for the Veteran Services Grant Program, which was earmarked for key projects to improve veterans’ access to transportation, housing, health care and other vital services across the state. The purpose of the Veteran Services Grant Program is to provide services to Oregon veterans by expanding critical services for veterans within a community, region or statewide; promoting access to health care or housing, employment, education and training opportunities; or increasing transportation accessibility and availability. The program was created by the Oregon Legislature in 2017 with funding from Measure 96, which voters approved overwhelmingly to dedicate a portion of Lottery revenues to serve veterans. This is the second round of funding that has been awarded through this grant. 6
VETERANS NEWS MAGAZINE
“If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that we as a state and nation can face any challenge if we stand together,” said Kelly Fitzpatrick, director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “We at ODVA are in awe of the tireless work of our federal, state and local partners in providing critical services to veterans across Oregon amid a pandemic, historic wildfires and other challenges. We also applaud the dedication of many partners who have targeted persistent barriers to access for women veterans, veterans of color, LGBTQ veterans and others who have been historically underserved. It is our honor and privilege to support and help expand this work through the Veteran Services Grant Program.” ODVA received 27 proposals from across Oregon, requesting a total of $1.7 million — demonstrating that the need was several times greater than the amount of funding available. A total of 20 organizations received one-time grant awards ranging from $10,000 to $102,179. The projects were selected by an evaluation committee composed of members of the Oregon Veterans’ Affairs Advisory Committee, representatives of Oregon’s National Service Organizations, state agencies, and other members of the veteran community from across the state.
