Current grantees of the Veterans Fund provide outreach to isolated veterans, create space where veterans can gather, facilitate connections between older and younger veterans, and identify best practices for services to veterans.
As Veterans Day approaches on Nov. 11, we’re pleased to share the Community Foundation’s commitment to supporting the strengths and needs of Boulder County veterans and their families.
The Veterans Fund, a permanent endowment of the foundation, supports our community by raising money and distributing grants for programs that enhance the lives of its veterans and their families. Goals of the fund include building community among veterans, creating dialogue between veterans and others, supporting organizations that serve the veteran community, and advancing education about veteran issues.
As such, we’ve distributed $4,500 in grants to veteran-serving nonprofts. “The fund prioritizes projects that demonstrate strong veteran involvement and engagement in planning and implementing the proposed projects themselves,” says Elvira Ramos, Vice President of Programs and Inclusive Leadership. “Current grantees provide outreach to isolated veterans, create space where veterans can gather, facilitate connections between older and younger veterans, and identify best practices for services to veterans.”
For example, Boulder County CareConnect (BCCC) — now Cultivate — helps connect veterans with other veterans by providing much-needed transportation services. “We incentivize younger vets to drive older, more isolated vets to a Veteran’s Affairs medical facility,” explains Regis Lindsay, Medical Mobility Manager.
“I’m not a vet myself, but I came to understand that many vets have unmet needs that are often misunderstood by others. We’re helping to change that sense of isolation among local vets by gaining their trust, and getting them to VA facilities.”
Since January 2016, BCCC has provided some 1,300 rides to veterans with the help of some very committed volunteers. “There’s a lot of neglect and not enough understanding toward our veteran community,” Regis continues. “But once you engage with vets, you begin to understand how inclusive and interesting and conversational they are.
“Our volunteers love to listen to our clients and exchange stories. And it’s a great feeling to give back to those who have served all of us.”
With an emphasis on addressing homelessness among veterans, Homeless Outreach Providing Encouragement (HOPE) – also a Veterans Fund grantee – provides life-sustaining and supportive services for homeless and at-risk veterans to encourage their stability and self-sufficiency.
“We know that veterans who are experiencing homelessness are quite often the most vulnerable among us,” says Lisa Searchinger, Executive Director. “They often have a combination of needs that require extra effort and time.
“With support from the foundation, we’re actively looking for those folks who might slip through the cracks, and who may need some special attention on our part – from a pair of boots that we would purchase, or warm gloves, or a backpack. In other words, dedicated supplies and also services that are beyond what we can offer through donations.”
Lisa goes on to describe a “deeper level” of care that some veterans require. “We provide medical respite care if someone needs it. We’re looking for those veterans who may have a medical emergency, or who can’t function without housing due to medical issues – we can provide that support.
“The general public doesn’t necessarily understand the depth of needs for anyone experiencing homelessness, especially vets who have also experienced trauma in the course of their service. That’s why we’re seeking them out, and not just waiting for them to come to us.”
According to Lisa, the new Coordinated Entry system to better address homelessness in Boulder County further supports reaching veterans and others who have been hard to reach before. “We want to help more people from falling through the cracks,” she says.
Another Veterans Fund grantee, Warrior StoryField, provides an artistic approach to engaging veterans and civilians in conversation, building community, and facilitating healing. “Together, over a period of years, we’re creating very large works of art,” says Robert Bellows, an artist himself who founded Warrior StoryField. “We’re working with fire, heat, and hammers, keeping veterans’ hands busy with really fun work, while stimulating meaningful camaraderie and conversations in a communal environment.
“Through the medium of art, we’re hoping to make visible the invisible wounds of war, and to give voice to the unspeakable.” Indeed, the metal sculptures themselves – a 16-foot dragon and an 18-foot Phoenix – are the result of conversations with participating veterans.
“While I can’t put into words what our collaboration means for them, I can speak to how much I’ve changed on hearing about the loss of their friends, the chaos they’ve endured, and the hurt they feel when they come home,” adds Robert.
“The art we’re creating together represents emotional expression and transformation – through the eyes of warriors, and from the perspectives of civilians, too.”
Perhaps most poignant and powerful is Warrior StoryField’s creation of “a beautiful heart” that will be mounted inside the dragon sculpture, visible through a wound. “We’re not here to fix or change anyone, but we simply allow healing to happen naturally through art,” concludes Robert.
