COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leaders from Orange County’s top real estate companies and financial institutions, in partnership with the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF), came together in April 2017 in support of the county’s 130,000 veterans at the 2nd Annual Orange County Real Estate Luncheon. Nearly $700,000 was raised at the event bringing the two-year total to over $1.3 million.
Since that time, a selection committee of well-respected business leaders, representatives from OCCF, and retired military members met and carefully reviewed the grant proposal submissions from nonprofit organizations that assist local veterans in their transition back to civilian life. Concentrating on OC Veteran Organizations seeking to make a difference for returning military in the areas of HEALTH, EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT, a list of criteria was established focused on financial transparency and overall program effectiveness as top priorities.
The following nonprofit organizations have been selected to receive this year’s grants:
Cal State Fullerton Philanthropic Foundation’s Veterans Resource Center will receive a grant to assist veterans who have exhausted their GI benefits, fund emergency grants, internship stipends, and a student assistant to help veterans with social and academic integration. For more information: www.fullerton.edu/veterans
Goodwill Tierney Center for Veterans Services will receive grant funding to continue to provide emergency financial grants for student veterans at 7 Orange County Community Colleges and for employment outreach and case coordination. For more information: www.ocgoodwill.org/changing-lives/tierney-center-veterans-program
Irvine Valley College Foundation’s Veterans Resource Center has been awarded a grant to support their case management and counseling program while providing emergency grants to veterans when necessary to help them achieve their academic and professional goals. For more information: students.ivc.edu/veterans
Lestonnac Free Clinic will receive funding to provide veterans with dental care services which are not covered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. For more information: https://lestonnacfreeclinic.org
Rothenbuehler Foundation (TRF) will receive grant funding for their employment program which provides assistance to Combat Veterans as they transition from military service to the Orange County civilian community. For more information: http://trfcombat.org
As the educational institution with the highest enrollment of veteran students in Orange County, Saddleback College’s Veterans Resource Center will receive a grant so that they can provide emergency funding and outreach for veterans to achieve their academic goals. For more information: www.saddleback.edu/vets
Semper Fi Fund will receive a grant to empower veterans to succeed in life outside the military by providing assistance with education coordination and direct support to further career, education, and transition goals. For more information: https://semperfifund.org
Strength in Support (SIS) has been awarded a grant to fund SIS’s Three Pillars of Support program which delivers integrated services in counseling, mentorship, and educational and recreational workshops. For more information: www.strengthinsupport.org
Volunteers of America’s Battle Buddy Bridge will receive grant funding for their comprehensive portal for veterans to receive peer support including referrals to healthcare providers, employment support, housing, and transportation services. For more information: https://voala.org/services/bbb.htm
Warrior Scholar Project (WSP) will receive funding to support their academic boot camps which seek to empower enlisted active military (within six months of separation) and enlisted veterans to successfully transition to higher education. For more information: http://warrior-scholar.org
zero8hundred’s Military Transition Support Project (MTSP) will be awarded a grant for the Orange County branch of their highly successful program which began in San Diego. The project matches active duty military members with community partners and provides intensive peer navigation services focused on creating a strategic plan for reintegration into civilian life in Orange County. For more information: www.zero8hundred.org
The 3rd Annual Orange County Real Estate Luncheon will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at the Hotel Irvine in Irvine, CA. To attend, sponsor, or donate to the Orange County Real Estate Luncheon, please email ocreluncheon@dsrg.com.