Search and Rescue: Finding and Helping Homeless and At-Risk Veterans
Our Search and Rescue program is a unique and effective veteran outreach program that serves homeless and at-risk veterans and their families in Central Florida. We have two main goals:
- To find and assist unsheltered homeless veterans and their dependents who are living on the streets, in the woods, or in their cars
- To prevent and intervene for veterans and their families who are at risk of losing their homes due to financial issues
We have a dedicated team of veteran outreach staff and volunteers who go out into the community to locate, connect and support our clients. We provide them with:
- Basic needs, such as food, clothing, outdoor gear, hygiene items and medical care
- Housing assistance, such as referrals to VA programs, transitional or permanent housing agencies, and benefits application specialists
- Financial assistance, such as emergency grants for rent, utilities, and other essential needs
- Case management, such as helping them with budgeting, employment, education and other goals
We also organize two large-scale annual veteran outreach events to bring joy and comfort to our clients:
- Thanksgiving: We prepare and deliver meals to homeless and low-income veterans throughout Brevard
- Warm Full Safe: We put homeless veterans and dependents into hotel rooms and give them hot meals and gifts on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and we help at-risk veteran households stay in their homes with the utilities on during December
We collaborate with many community partners who offer services that are beneficial to our clients. We are the only veteran outreach program of its kind in the State of Florida. We do not wait for our clients to find our office, we go and find them. We are on a mission to end veteran homelessness in Central Florida.
