Thousands of dollars in grant money will benefit Delaware veterans

To help tackle homelessness and the job crisis among Delaware’s veterans, JPMorgan Chase awarded a total of $160,000 to two organizations on Tuesday to achieve those goals.

On any given night, there are about 15-hundred homeless people in Delaware including 300 who are veterans. That’s why Goodwill of Delaware and the Homeless Planning Council were both on the receiving end of that money even though both organizations will use the funds on different initiatives already in place. One is the “Veterans’ Jobs Source & Financial Empowerment Initiative” through the Goodwill.

“We’re already planning on how to reach out to those veterans. Our job resource center is open five days a week now, so we probably have individuals that are coming in now to get those services,” said Goodwill CEO Colleen Morrone.

Goodwill was awarded $75,000 in grant money, and the Homeless Planning Council received $85,000 to focus on its mission to end homelessness though a housing initiative.

“Our goal is that no one should be homeless for longer than 30 days and we truly believe especially for veterans that by 2015, we can make this happen in Delaware through a lot of resources that we have,” said Susan Starrett, executive director of the Homeless Planning Council of Delaware.

Senator Tom Carper who joined Tuesday’s check presentation event looks forward to both organizations working together.

“On behalf of all veterans, I just want to express our appreciation not just to JPMorgan Chase, really the team here that’s working with Goodwill and others to make sure Delaware becomes the first state to eradicate veterans homelessness,” said Senator Tom Carper, who’s a member of the Veterans Jobs Caucus.

“We will be reaching out to the Homeless Planning Commission and working with them to help reach the homeless veterans and help them get connected with jobs as well to build that collaboration and partnership,” added Morrone.

Meanwhile, officials from JPMorgan Chase say the company is very committed to supporting Delaware’s military.

“It’s Thanksgiving week and it is a time when all of us are very blessed to have a home, and to have a job. I’m a veteran myself. It’s just really important to reach out and to support all of those who have served and at JPMorgan Chase that’s something we take very seriously,” said Sean O’Reilly of Chase Card Services.

In the last 18 months, 4,600 veterans including 112 in Delaware were hired thanks to the 100,000 Jobs Mission launched by JPMorgan Chase says O’Reilly.  One thousand “mortgage free” homes are also being made available over the next five years for veterans through the company.