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LOS ANGELES (Feb. 26, 2020) – The
Ford Motor Company Fund has awarded $25,000 to Volunteers of
America Los Angeles (VOALA) in support of its efforts to
provide much-needed housing to homeless veterans in need of
medical respite in Southern California.
The grant benefits VOALA’s Recuperative Care for Veterans
Program, which provides supportive transitional housing up
to six months to those discharged from the Long Beach and
West Los Angeles Veterans’ Administration hospitals.
Recuperative Care for Veterans serves those who are too ill
or frail to recover from physical injury or illness on their
own, but not ill enough to need hospitalization or nursing
care. Currently, VOALA is the only service provider with a
contract to provide recuperative care for veterans leaving
the two hospitals.
“Affordable, safe, medically-appropriate housing is scarce
in the greater Los Angeles area,” said VOALA CEO Bob Pratt.
“The effects of an aging American population can be seen
among veterans, resulting in an increasing number of primary
care needs. Couple this with L.A.’s veteran homeless crisis
along with the unprecedented shortage of affordable housing,
and it’s critical that we pursue solutions to help the
growing number of medically-vulnerable vets. This
partnership with The Ford Foundation is a great step towards
doing just that.”
The Ford Fund grant will benefit 10-20 veterans, depending
on their needs and other available resources. This includes
assistance during their time at the center, as well as help
transitioning to independent living.
About Volunteers of America
Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, faith-based
organization dedicated to helping those in need live
healthy, safe and productive lives. Since 1896, our ministry
of service has supported and empowered America’s most
vulnerable groups, including veterans, seniors, people with
disabilities, at-risk youth, men and women returning from
prison, homeless individuals and families, those recovering
from addictions and many others. Through hundreds of human
service programs, including housing and health care,
Volunteers of America helps more than 1.5 million people in
over 400 communities. Our work touches the mind, body, heart
and ultimately the spirit of those we serve, integrating our
deep compassion with highly effective programs and services.
Learn more at www.voa.org.
About Ford Motor Company Fund
As the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, Ford Fund’s
mission is to strengthen communities and help make people’s
lives better. Working with dealers and nonprofit partners in
more than 60 countries, Ford Fund provides access to
opportunities and resources that help people reach their
full potential. Since 1949, Ford Fund has invested more than
$2 billion in programs that support education, promote safe
driving, enrich community life and encourage employee
volunteering. For more information, visit www.fordfund.org or
join us at @FordFund on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. |