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July 16, 2020 Giving Guide 2020

Veterans Inc.

Responding to the Crisis

 

The needs of veterans in our community has only increased in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those experiencing homelessness are at an increased risk for infection during community spread of COVID-19 as often times they are not able to social distance or maintain proper hygiene and nutrition while unsheltered. Providing stable housing to homeless persons, particularly during these times, works to improve health outcomes. COVID-19 has created a huge influx in need for veterans in our community as our homeless veterans seek safety in our emergency shelter and others battle with food insecurity and fears about remaining in housing due to lost income as a result of mass layoffs throughout our service area.

In response to the pandemic, Veterans Inc. has implemented rigorous safety and security protocols including ramped up efforts to ensure the cleanliness of facilities by increasing routine cleaning and hiring professionals to fully disinfect our facilities. We continue to provide information on virus transmission and strongly promote the practice of healthy hygiene habits, including proper handwashing and cough etiquette to both staff and the veterans who reside in our programs. When necessary hotels have been utilized for homeless clients who need to quarantine.

Veterans Inc. is in great need of general operating support. While costs have increased, donations, including food, have decreased dramatically. This is negatively impacting our ability to provide meals for residential clients at our multiple locations as well as our ability to operate our food pantry in Worcester, which supports veterans and their families in need in Central Massachusetts. We have also faced increased expenses related to the need for PPE, cleaning supplies, professional facility cleaning/sanitization, the cost of hotels for clients requiring isolation, and additional staffing costs to ensure the provision of safe services such as cleaning, screenings, safety checks, and staggered meal service. The majority of revenue in our annual operating budget is restricted for specific programs and services throughout New England. These unplanned additional expenses for supplies and cleaning due to COVID-19 have created immense financial stress on our organization.

Future Goals

1. To improve the lives of veterans and their families by expanding capacity and services to meet needs.

2. To reduce homelessness among veterans and their families by providing the housing and support services needed to prevent or end homelessness.

3. To continue following best practices in our accredited substance use disorder treatment program at Independence Hall in Shrewsbury.

4. To continue to find and implement new programs and services for new veterans and military service members returning from deployment, for veterans facing the debilities of aging, and for female veterans and veterans with families.

5. To expand our nationally recognized Employment & Training Program to assist new veterans and returning military service members to include utilizing education benefits, enrolling in an institution of higher education, and/or obtaining meaningful employment.

6. To continue to maintain the safety precautions implemented or planned to ensure client safety and continuity of support or surge support for mental health, substance abuse treatment services, and general medical care.

Giving Opportunities

Veterans Inc. could not provide the level of services it does without the generous contributions of individuals and businesses, and now more than ever we are in need of the help of our community.

To help our veterans, you can make a one-time, recurring, or matching donation; support our two annual veteran-focused events: our Stand Down August 28th  and Holiday Harvest November 24 sponsor or take part in our fundraising events (see Fundraising Opportunities); donate your time (see Volunteer Opportunities); and provide in-kind donations of food, new clothing, vehicles, toiletries, gift cards, and more. The Veterans Inc. Annual Appeal Fund provides critical ongoing support of our programs and services with the greatest need. Unrestricted gifts to the annual fund are an important source of steady income. 

Donations are gratefully accepted, normally anytime at 69 Grove St. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, it is asked that you contact donations@veteransinc.org first if you would like to donate in-kind items. 

Financial support to implement our organizational goals is greatly needed especially now. Every tax-deducible dollar you give helps Veterans Inc. bring a comprehensive range of professional services to veterans in need and their families.

To arrange for an endowment, planned gift or legacy gift, or for other giving opportunities, please contact 508-791-1213 x1162 or email Lisab@veteransinc.org

Fundraising Events

Every two years we hold our Gala Military Ball, our largest fundraiser, happening October 17, 2020, with Fund a Need, a virtual silent auction, and sponsorship opportunities. We also have the RUN4Veterans 5K run/walk scheduled for November 8th at the Worcester Beer Garden, where participants can run, walk or be a virtual runner. Donors may also donate items to be placed in the runner’s gift bags.

Veterans Inc.

MISSION STATEMENT

To be there for our veterans and their families in their time of need with the ultimate goal to end homelessness among veterans. To help our veterans regain self sufficiency through the provision of holistic supportive services, including housing, employment and training, case management, food security, health and wellness, family support programs, women and child care services.

Veterans Inc.

69 Grove St.
Worcester, MA 01605

Phone: 800-482-2565 

www.veteransinc.org

Full-time employees: 111

Annual revenues: $11,851,081 

Year founded: 1990

Service area: Headquartered in Worcester, MA, Veterans Inc. has offices and programs in all six New England states and provides referral services across America. 

Top funding sources:

Government: 61%

Program Service Fee: 22%

Donations: 17%

Board of Directors

Vincent J. Perrone, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired), President & CEO, Veterans Inc.

Denis M. Leary, Vice President, Executive Director, Veterans Inc.

George M. Bourisk, FM Global, Treasurer

Roland Bercume, Director of Pharmacy, UMASS (retired), Secretary

Patrick Murphy, Captain, USMC Veteran, Chair, Personnel Committee

Dr. Barbara Rugo, MD, Major, USAF Veteran, Kids on the Common Pediatrics

Victoria Vitucci, Lt. Colonel USAF (retired)

Edward D. Burkart, Jr., Lt. Colonel USAF (retired), Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs

Ralph D. Sabatino, PhD, PerkinElmer Inc., (retired)