This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Neighbor News

OCCF Awarded for Veteran Advocacy

The Orange County Veterans Initiative has granted over $4 million to nonprofits reaching more than 25,000 OC veterans and their families.

Editorial-Team, Neighbor
https://test.patch.com/img/cdn20/users/24405683/20210610/015653/styles/patch_image/public/occf___10135017470.png
With funding from the Orange County Community Foundation, research findings indicate a strengthening system of care and support for OC veterans and military-connected families. (Image Courtesy of OCCF)
https://test.patch.com/img/cdn20/users/24405683/20210610/015653/styles/patch_image/public/ocvi-data-graphic-1___10135558791.png
The Orange County Veterans Initiative advances work in four areas: transition, education, employment, and physical/behavioral health. In total, the initiative has now reached 29,286 veterans and their families. (Image Courtesy of OCCF)
https://test.patch.com/img/cdn20/users/24405683/20210610/015653/styles/patch_image/public/ocvi-data-graphic-2___10135635074.png
OCVI has developed a successful coordinated system of care to support veterans and their families. It has increased resources, provided support for educational goals, and strengthened the trust and collaboration between veteran service organizations. (Image Courtesy of OCCF)

The Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) has been awarded Community Partner of the Year by the Veterans Legal Institute. The award specifically recognizes the work of OCCF’s Orange County Veterans Initiative, which focuses on three critical areas of need: transitioning to civilian life, employment readiness and job skills, and health, emphasizing mental health needs. To date, OCVI has granted over $4 million to nonprofits reaching more than 25,000 veterans and their families in Orange County.

This year’s honorees reflect Veterans Legal Institute’s (VLI) mission to provide pro bono legal assistance to homeless, at-risk, disabled and low-income veterans that eradicates barriers to housing, education, employment and healthcare and fosters self-sufficiency.

In keeping with VLI’s mission – OCCF is dedicated to similar outcomes for U.S. Veterans. OCCF's Orange County Veterans Initiative aims to improve critical and fundamental services so that veterans:

Find out what's happening in Orange Countyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Can develop trusting relationships with community providers
  • Are connecting early and proactively to services they and their families need
  • Obtain employment in career-oriented opportunities and positions

OCVI has developed a successful coordinated system of care to support veterans and their families. It has increased resources, provided support for educational goals, and strengthened the trust and collaboration between veteran service organizations.

“The Orange County Community Foundation is proud to support the system of care for veterans transitioning to civilian life in Orange County,” said Carol Ferguson, director of donor relations and programs at Orange County Community Foundation. “With the fourth-largest population of veterans in California, it is critical to ensure that veteran service organizations in Orange County can collaborate, tailor support and services, and ensure the sustainability of these efforts into the future.”

Find out what's happening in Orange Countyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

More information can be found in OCCF's 2021 Evaluation Summary or by visiting OCCF's website.

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Orange County