Veteran Services Awards $213K In Grants To 3 Portland Nonprofits

PORTLAND, OR — Numerous grants totaling more than half a million dollars were awarded to several agencies across the state this week, thanks to the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Meant to improve veterans' access to various services and amenities, such as transportation, housing, and health care, the selected grant recipients come from the nonprofit, government, and community sectors, officials said. Altogether, 10 separate organizations will use $550,000 to help support unique services and opportunities specifically for Oregon's veterans.

"Our partners are our greatest asset," ODVA Director Mitch Sparks said in a statement. "They are doing amazing and innovative work to ensure all of our veterans have access to the care and benefits they deserve, and we are thrilled to be able to support and expand that work."

In Portland and Multnomah County, three nonprofits received grants: the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest, Project ABLE, and St. Andrew Legal Clinic.

Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest

• Grant award: $74,990
• To Be Used For: Outreach and case management for Native American/Alaska Indian homeless veterans address health/mental health care, housing.

Project ABLE

• Grant Award: $87,725
• To Be Used For: Train veterans as veteran-specific Peer Support Specialists to support veterans with behavioral health issues.

St. Andrew Legal Clinic

• Grant award: $50,000
• To Be Used For: Provide full legal services to veterans with a focus on issues of economic stability and housing security.

Funded by Oregon Lottery revenues passed through the Veteran Services Grant Fund, this particular grant allocation was made possible by a new program created by Oregon legislators in 2017.

During this specific cycle, nearly 60 grant proposals requesting more than $5.3 million were submitted. Sparks acknowledged the turnout as evidence of Oregon communities' commitment to helping their veterans.

"This is a starting point," he said. "Through this process, we now have first-hand information that details the gaps in local services, with proposed solutions directly from the providers in those areas. We will be sharing this information with our legislative partners, and we are hopeful this program will be renewed for another round of funding."

Click here for the complete list of grant awardees and their project proposals.

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