Jessica Fisher, Public Information Assistant, 509.625.6749
Monday, October 30, 2017 at 5:01 p.m.
Updated November 21, 2017
November 11 is Veteran’s Day; a day dedicated to America’s bravest. The City and Goodwill Industries are dedicating the month of November to serving those who served.
The Veteran Leadership Committee of the Spokane Continuum of Care launched a new initiative this spring to map out a collaborative process to identify veterans who are homeless and connect them to services they need. The committee will examine and evaluate the current homelessness system, identify gaps in the response system, and develop action steps for the Continuum of Care. The agencies are seeking to expand partnerships amongst agencies throughout the region toward the goal of ending veteran homelessness in Spokane.
Setting up our veterans for success is an ongoing goal. One of the biggest challenges facing our community members who are experiencing homelessness is access to housing. Area agencies work closely with the Inland Northwest Landlord Association, partnering to find permanent homes for our veterans who are experiencing homelessness. If you are landlord who has an apartment or home for rent, I encourage you to give a chance to a veteran who is homeless. Goodwill's Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, Volunteers of America, and others work closely with veterans and landlords to smooth the transition into permanent housing. For more information about housing a veteran, call 509-321-3348.
An additional need for success are the necessary items to set up a new home. Throughout the month of November, Goodwill is holding a donation drive for Spokane’s homeless veteran population to gather needed items for moving into a new home. They will be accepting new bath towels, bed sheets, toilet paper and personal care items.
Donations will be accepted from November 8 – 30 at the following locations:
Spokane has a wide variety of veterans from all five branches of the military and all eras of conflict. Each of these veterans has a variety of needs that we as a community have the opportunity to serve. Goodwill offers a wide variety of services for local veterans. Including SSVF a housing stability program serving vets who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
