“Hands down, the most common obstacle faced by Veterans during the lease-up process as described by HUD-VASH sites is a lack of funds for security deposits and other move-in costs.” – VA Best Practice Guide
The Veterans with other resources use those resources.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP THE ONES WHO HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO GO!
VETERANS HOUSED
As of Today
See Your Donation Work Daily
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Veterans
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Veterans + Family
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Veterans’ Children
WHY IT WORKS
This 3 minute video produced by the VA explains how our partnership allows every dollar we deploy to result in a veteran housed in permanent VA Supported Housing which has a 91% success rate keeping them housed.
Hover over a state to see how many Veterans have been housed, and the number of housing vouchers allocated to house the homeless veterans/families in that state.
Click a state to see the Founding Advocates, the Funding Advocates, and history for that Area of Operation.
Veterans Housed and Needs By State
Statewide Needs Analysis
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Founding Funder:
History
Operation Colorado launched in 2015 when the First Nation Group, a full-line national distributor of medical equipment and supplies to federal government agencies, donated a major gift in March 2015. While headquartered in Ann Arbor, one of the company’s main distribution facilities is located in Denver, CO, and the company wished to make a difference by housing veterans there.
We housed our first veteran in Colorado the week before Independence Day 2015 – what a way to honor a veteran’s service and the nation!
Major Funding Advocates for Operation Colorado include the following community partners:
Operation New England was started when John McGah with Give US Your Poor learned of VM through Dr. Josh Baumberger with the US Interagency Council on Homelessness. John connected VM to the New England fundraiser staged by the Adam Ezra Group. It raised $15,000. New England takes care of its own.
Major Funding Advocates for Operation Colorado include the following community partners:
Operation Ohio is where it all started. Operation Hometown is based out of Toledo, Ohio, serving veterans in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, and continues to serve as our test lab to identify needs and then design and pilot programs to fill those needs.
When the VA’s Shawn Dowling told Veterans Matter founder, Ken Leslie, that a deposit was all that was preventing two local chronically homeless veteran friends of his from being housed, with 33 more vouchers in the pipeline, he soon realized there was a simple solution. Simply, Ken needed to find money and pay the deposit to the landlord, pushing them over the threshold into ready, permanent housing. What was insurmountable to them, is easily solved by others who care as much as we do.
The next morning, Ken called Barb Petee, an executive at ProMedica Health System, to get the $26,250 pilot funding from the Toledo Community Foundation’s ProMedica Advocacy Fund. With veterans waiting, he also asked her to waive the normal three-month foundation due diligence process.
Seven days later, on Valentine’s Day at 5:36 pm, Barb called with full funding. Our first veteran family was housed out of the family shelter three days later. Eleven days from idea to implementation.
The rest of Ohio was funded by the Exchange Clubs of Northwest Ohio and along the I-75 corridor. Start-up funds for Cleveland and Columbus were provided by the UT Songfest, Class of 2018.
Major Funding Advocates for Operation Ohio include the following community partners:
Left to Right: Gary Fruchtman, Jeri Gates, Ken Leslie, Kirk Wilkington,
Chuck Hill, Dusty Hill, Buddy Johnson, Sheri Henderson, Dave Henderson, & Kevin Maley
History
Operation Houston began when Dusty Hill of ZZ Top and his wife "Chuck", asked founder Ken Leslie to expand the program to help Houston's veterans. A group was convened and nearly 1000 Texas veterans have now been housed.
ZZ Top Facebook Page: Dusty and “Chuck” Hill’s Commitment to our Homeless Veterans
Funding for Operation Texas is provided by the following community partners:
Thanks to Mitch Albom, Katy Perry, Kid Rock and Ann Arbor-based company First Nation Group, and many of the state's Exchange Clubs, homeless Michigan veterans and veteran families have been housed.
In the spring of 2014, best-selling author, journalist and broadcaster Mitch Albom gave Veterans Matter $15,000 to jump-start a Michigan chapter.
“Our veterans, those men and women who have sacrificed so much to ensure our freedom, deserve better than a home on the streets. I’m happy to lend my name to an organization that is fighting to change this, and I’m honored to support them in whatever way possible,” Albom said.
How it got funded is an amazing story. Ken received a call on a Monday from the Detroit VA saying they urgently needed our help. By Wednesday, after a coincidental call out of the blue on a totally unrelated topic from Dr. Chad Audi, Mitch’s partner in compassion, funding was secured to house 16 homeless Detroit veterans.
Kid Rock, Katy Perry, and First Nation Group helped provide continuation funding.
As the honorary chairman of the Michigan chapter of Veterans Matter, Albom will be expanding the reach of the innovative organization that is focused on providing housing to as many Michigan veterans as possible, as quickly as possible.
Major Funding Advocates for Operation Michigan include the following community partners:
Operation New England was started when John McGah with Give US Your Poor learned of VM through Dr. Josh Baumberger with the US Interagency Council on Homelessness. John connected VM to the New England fundraiser staged by the Adam Ezra Group. It raised $15,000. New England takes care of its own.
Major Funding Advocates for Operation Colorado include the following community partners:
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Founding Funders:
History
Operation Florida launched in January of 2018 after First Nation Group learned of the significant need veterans had in this state.Due to an innovative concept in corporate philanthropy created by company president Steve Baugh, First Nation's supplier, Fisher Paykel, provided the funds to begin housing veterans in Florida.
When company CEO Cheryl Nillson learned of the ancillary needs veterans had once housed in her hometown area of Fort Walton Beach, she worked with Veterans Matter to develop a pilot program called the First Nation Guardian Angel Fund to meet those needs. The Guardian Angel Fund is being tested in three of our areas of operation.
Major Funding Advocates for Operation Flordia include the following community partners:
In January 2019 the FCA Foundation granted $30,000 to start up Operation Illinois in the Rockford area. Funds to expand the operation are currently being sought.
Anchored by John Mellencamp’s support of Veterans Matter, we received an anonymous $37,500 donations the same day John signed on as Chair of Operation Indiana. The first veteran to benefit, along with his wife and their three children, went from living in their car to the warmth of a home on February 7, 2014.
John has continued his support of Veterans Matter, even returning to Toledo in 2017 to help kick off the Veterans Matter Walk to House More Heroes.
Inspired by Mr. Mellencamp, Jeff Young, District Director of the Indiana Exchange Clubs, rallied the state's clubs to unite for 11/11 @ 7 rallies across the state to help provide continuation funding.
Major Funding Advocates for Operation Florida include the following community partners:
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Founding Funders:
History
The Mid-Atlantic chapter was the brainstorm of Scott Vaughn and VM founder Ken Leslie. Scott met Ken back-stage in connection with the Katy Perry/Veterans Matter charity auction, which housed 22 veterans in Texas and Ohio and created Operation Mid-Atlantic.
Scott and Ken finalized the creation of the chapter when Ken was in DC speaking as Keynote speaker for a national organization. Through the conference, several attendees including Chris King, Cameron Kauffman, Shekinah ‘Ki’ Magee, Jane Perez, and Kevin Day all teamed up to form the core of the Mid-Atlantic Operation focused on DC, Virginia and Maryland.
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Founding Funder:
History
Operation Mississippi was launched when First Nation Group, a national distributor of medical equipment and supplies, responded to an urgent need and donated a major gift in August 2015 to house 25 local Mississippi veterans.
Pitch in now to support the housing of our heroes in Jackson, Gulfport and throughout Mississippi. We must take care of our own!
Major Funding Advocates for Operation Mississippi include the following community partners:
At Veterans United Foundation, located in Columbia Missouri, their mission is “Inspired, created and fully funded by Veterans United Home Loans employees, Veterans United Foundation exists to enhance lives. Fueled by passion, generosity and an unwavering commitment to give, the Foundation is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of veterans and service members, for employees and their families, and in local communities served by Veterans United.”
On February 11, 2019, with the assistance of Veterans United Foundation Outreach Coordinator Marcus Jones, they followed through with that mindset and awarded us a $10,000 grant to be utilized for our Operation Missouri. This grant will enable us to make a difference for approximately 12 homeless veterans in and around the Columbia Missouri area. On April 16 we housed our first veteran of many in Columbia!
We greatly appreciate the help that Marcus gave us in advocating our Program to his Board.
Major Funding Advocates for Operation Missouri include the following community partners:
The Breakfast Exchange Club of Billings, Montana had a brilliant idea to start housing homeless veterans: food and drinks. After hosting their first Food Truck Battle on the Yellowstone, the organization raised thousands of dollars, enough to house four veteran heroes in the state and to kick start operation in Montana.
Major Funding Advocates for Operation Montana include the following community partners:
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Founding Funder:
History
Veterans Matter and Exchange Clubs nationwide have come together to house homeless veterans. This partnership has produced Operation North Carolina. Thanks to donations via the Exchanges Clubs of Swift Creek and Asheville, NC, homeless veterans in the state are now on our radar and we will get as many housed as we can! You can help, too!
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Founding Funder:
History
Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, Operation Oregon began at the tail end of 2016. Veterans Matter quickly put the $25,500 donation to work, and in the first week of operations helped house 3 veterans. If you too would like help give homeless veterans in Oregon a home, you can join Operation Oregon right now.
Major Funding Advocates for Operation Oregon include the following community partners:
Operation Pennsylvania launched in 2019 after the Hanover Exchange Club hosted their 11/11@7 event for Veterans Day.
This event raised over $18,000 for our homeless heroes -- enough to immediately start housing at least 24 veterans and their families.
Major Funding Advocates for Operation Pennsylvania include the following community partners:
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Founding Funder:
History
Operation South Carolina was officially kicked off by the Daniel Island Exchange Club with their heroic donation of $15,000 which will ensure at least 15 Sourth Carolina Veterans and their families won't be turned away at the door.
Major Funding Advocates for Operation South Carolina include the following community partners:
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Founding Funder:
History
Kix Brooks helps house homeless veterans in Tennessee!
Saddened by the fact that over 37,000 veteran men, women, and their families are living on the streets of our nation, Kix Brooks has teamed up with Veterans Matter to help do something about it, forming Operation Tennessee. In cooperation with the VA and HUD, Veterans Matter funds deposits and moves vets into housing as fast as possible. Friends and fellow artists: please join this mission. We must take care of our own! To reach out to us with comments and ideas, click here.
Major Funding Advocates for Operation Tennessee include the following community partners:
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Founding Funders:
History
The Mid-Atlantic chapter was the brainstorm of Scott Vaughn and VM founder Ken Leslie. Scott met Ken back-stage in connection with the Katy Perry/Veterans Matter charity auction, which housed 22 veterans in Texas and Ohio and created Operation Mid-Atlantic.
Scott and Ken finalized the creation of the chapter when Ken was in DC speaking as Keynote speaker for a national organization. Through the conference, several attendees including Chris King, Cameron Kauffman, Shekinah ‘Ki’ Magee, Jane Perez, and Kevin Day all teamed up to form the core of the Mid-Atlantic Operation focused on DC, Virginia and Maryland.
Operation Washington was started by a Veterans Matter volunteer Jean Mollman, founder of Hero Giardiniera to help make a difference in Washington state. With roots in the music industry, she enlisted country music icon Kix Brooks to help raise awareness for our cause and connected us with Cumulus Media and grants from Charity USA, now invaluable supporters.
Hearts of gratitude go out to our Washington Operations founding team members Phillip Runyan, Jean Mollmann, Evelyn Jensen and Sandy Dodge.
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Want to be a HERO and get operations started in your state? Our veterans are counting on YOU! Contact ken@veteransmatter.org
Founding Funders:
History
The Mid-Atlantic chapter was the brainstorm of Scott Vaughn and VM founder Ken Leslie. Scott met Ken back-stage in connection with the Katy Perry/Veterans Matter charity auction, which housed 22 veterans in Texas and Ohio and created Operation Mid-Atlantic.
Scott and Ken finalized the creation of the chapter when Ken was in DC speaking as Keynote speaker for a national organization. Through the conference, several attendees including Chris King, Cameron Kauffman, Shekinah ‘Ki’ Magee, Jane Perez, and Kevin Day all teamed up to form the core of the Mid-Atlantic Operation focused on DC, Virginia and Maryland.
America is the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. One of the bravest things one can do is put on the uniform to risk all to defend their country. Many of those brave are hurting right now; living on the streets of our nation where they have been beaten, robbed, even killed. Yet if this happened behind enemy lines, we would be outraged.
Our mission is simple, house as many homeless veterans as we can, as fast as we can. And that we’ve done 2700+ times to date.
Our method is just as simple, unite those of us who feel called to help homeless veterans into one cohesive force to successfully return more veterans to a home for the brave in the land of the free.
Click below to keep up to date with our newsletter, to become an Ally getting the word out, or to donate and be Advocate.
We need your help. Veterans Matter — We take care of our own.
Permanent Successes
EVERY dollar we deploy results in another homeless veteran or veteran family with children housed.
This is PERMANENT supportive housing and if needed, VA provided 360°wrap-around services.
Thanks to the support of over 20 artists and celebrities who simply care about homeless veterans as much as we do, who are working to raise money and awareness, each of the 37,787 veterans still on the streets have a chance for a place called home. The program has grown to where it is today. This growth has been well documented in the local and national press.
Operation Michigan was started by writer Mitch Albom who has donated over $35,000 to house Michigan veterans. With additional funding raised and donated by Katy Perry, Kid Rock, the First Nation Group, Exchange Club service groups and generous corporations – over 400 homeless Michigan veterans have been housed to date.
Katy Perry’s continued support is credited with raising over $30,000, housing 35+ veterans in four states, and inspired the creation of Operation Mid-Atlantic which to date has housed a dozen veterans.
Also due in good measure to Mitch Albom’s participation, Michigan-based First Nation/Jordan Reses, a very compassionate company, has donated over $500,000 to house veterans in Michigan, Colorado, Texas, Mississippi, Indiana, Florida, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Operation Texas was started by Dusty Hill of ZZ Top when he convened a group of businessmen and women in Houston. To date, this small group of heroes has donated over $360,000 and housed over 700 veterans!
The same day John Mellencamp became chair of Operation Indiana, we received an anonymous $37,000 donation. This and following support has led to nearly 200 Indiana veterans housed to date.
