22 Canadian organizations awarded funding to support Canadian Veterans and their families

News release

July 22, 2019 – Montreal – Veterans Affairs Canada

Bold, innovative ideas backed up by solid research are vital to continually improving the well-being of Veterans and their families. This is why the Government of Canada created the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund—to support the creation of innovative initiatives, research and projects that improve the well-being of Veterans and their families.

Applications for the 2019-2020 year of funding closed in early 2019, after which 22 projects were selected—out of 114 total applicants from across Canada—to receive financial support. The $3 million funding will support research and initiatives to provide better support for the Veteran community in four key areas: Veteran homelessness, Veteran employment, women Veterans, and mental health.

The announcement was held at Old Brewery Mission, one of this year’s successful applicants. Their specific funding will go towards Les Sentinelles, which will help homeless Veterans find housing and support them in accessing necessary services. The Respect Campaign, also based in Montreal, will use its Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund support to host the Respect Forum, a national networking initiative to promote collaborative approaches to service delivery for Veterans, first responders, and their families.

Quotes

“The Veteran Family and Well-Being Fund is about encouraging bold thinking and new ideas to meet the needs of Canada’s Veteran community. We are investing in projects with the greatest positive impact on Veterans and their families. We encourage everyone who applied to keep striving to provide a better life for Canada’s Veterans and their loved ones.”

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

“This new funding from Veterans Affairs Canada will not only bolster our Sentinels of the Street program, which provides housing and support to homeless veterans, it sends a positive message that the federal government is taking ownership of the problem. By supporting community-led initiatives, VAC is demonstrating its intention to collaborate with those on the front-lines working to end veteran homelessness in Canada.”

Matthew Pearce, President and Chief Executive Officer, Old Brewery Mission

“We are grateful for the support of Veterans Affairs Canada. This funding will enable us to map over 900 organizations, including in Northern and Indigenous communities, that support our Veterans from sea to sea to sea. This comprehensive map of civilian and public sector organizations will be a world’s first.”

Steve Gregory, Co-founder, RESPECT Campaign

Quick facts

  • The Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund is just one of the supports and benefits introduced in Budget 2017 that are focused on improving the well-being of Veterans and their families.

  • The Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund is a resource for organizations focusing or working on research, initiatives and projects tailored to improve the well-being of Veterans and their families.

  • The Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund received 114 applications in 2019-20.

Associated links

Contacts

Media Relations
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468
vac.media-medias.acc@vac-acc.gc.ca

Alex Wellstead
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
Alex.Wellstead@canada.ca

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