22 Canadian organizations receive funding for programs for veteran and their families

The Veteran and Family Well-being Fund awarded 22 Canadian organizations funding last month.

Created by the Government of Canada, the fund aims to support the creation of innovative initiative, research, and projects that improve the well-being of Veterans and their families.

“The Veteran Family and Well-Being Fund is about encouraging bold thinking and new ideas to meet the needs of Canada’s Veteran community. We are investing in projects with the greatest positive impact on Veterans and their families. We encourage everyone who applied to keep striving to provide a better life for Canada’s Veterans and their loved ones,” said Lawrence MacAulay, minister of veterans affairs and associate minister of national defence.

Applications for the 2019-2020 year of funding closed in early 2019. One hundred and fourteen projects were submitted for consideration.

The $3 million funding for the 22 selected organizations will support research and initiatives and provide better support for the Veteran community in four key areas: Veteran homelessness, Veteran employment, women Veterans, and mental health.

The announcement was held at the Old Brewery Mission, one of this year’s successful applicants.

“This new funding from Veterans Affairs Canada will not only bolster our Sentinels of the Street program, which provides housing and support to homeless veterans, it sends a positive message that the federal government is taking ownership of the problem. By supporting community-led initiatives, VAC is demonstrating its intention to collaborate with those on the front-lines working to end veteran homelessness in Canada,” said Matthew Pearce, president and chief executive officer, Old Brewery Mission.

One of the organizations receiving funding is Les Sentinelles, which will help homeless veterans find housing and support them in accessing necessary services.

The Respect Campaign, also based in Montreal, will use its Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund support to host the Respect Forum, a national networking initiative to promote collaborative approaches to service delivery for Veterans, first responders, and their families.

“We are grateful for the support of Veterans Affairs Canada. This funding will enable us to map over 900 organizations, including in Northern and Indigenous communities, that support our Veterans from sea to sea to sea. This comprehensive map of civilian and public sector organizations will be a world’s first,” said Steve Gregory, Co-founder, RESPECT Campaign.