Elks National Veterans Service Commission’s Welcome Home Kit

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 Since 2019, transitioning homeless veterans into permanent housing using Focus Grant funds from the Elks Veterans Service Commission has been one of our goals, along with that of the Cocoa Beach Lodge.   

Once a veteran has completed the transition program, and permanent housing is secured, we work with "Down The Road Thrift Shop" which is a Veteran owned shop, and we assist them in picking out things like furniture. Then reimbursement is made to  "Down the Road Thrift Shop" for the purchases using grant funds.  

To date, we have provided furniture to 153 Veterans and the Cocoa Beach Lodge has also helped the same number of Veterans, to date.  Under this grant, we also provide emergency assistance to transitioning Veterans, which may include tools, car repairs, deposits and the like.  

Total Grant Funds Used To Date is $35,760 to date.    

In addition to the Focus Grant Fund, we also utilize the Spotlight Grant to assist with the transitioning of Veterans out of being homeless.  With this Grant, we have provided a Veteran food for approximately 2 to 3 days, a crockpot, bus passes and thank you notes.  

To date, we have provided our "Crockpot Package" to 100 Veterans using funds totally $6,300 to date.