Women Veterans
The following resources are provided to steer you toward organizations and agencies that have programs to help homeless women veterans. You should also seek assistance from your local Department of Social or Human Services. Check your local phone book for contact information.
- Trauma-Informed Care for Women Veterans Experiencing Homelessness: A Guide for Service Providers
Trauma-Informed Care for Women Veterans Experiencing Homelessness: A Guide for Service Providers, also known as the “Trauma Guide,” was created to address the psychological and mental health needs of women veterans. The guide is also a compilation of best practices aimed at improving effectiveness in engaging female veterans. Written for service providers, the guide offers observational knowledge and concrete guidelines for modifying practices with the goal of increasing re-entry outcomes.
- Department of Labor's Women Veterans' Employment
The women veteran initiative is a collaborative effort across Department of Labor (DOL) agencies to identify and address the employment challenges of the women veteran population. Resources, employment tips, the latest news, and more on employment issues related to women veterans can be found at DOL's website. Some of these resources include "My Next Move", which is a job seekers tool that indicates civilian careers that match your service experience, "VeteransJobBank", which connects veteran job seekers with military-friendly employers, and "eBenefits", which allows veterans to connect to the VA online and access benefit applications, DD 214's and other important resources.
For Veterans Only
- All Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and many Readjustment Counseling (Vet) Centers have a designated Women Veterans Program Manager to help women veterans access VA benefits and healthcare services. To find the VA medical center nearest you, call 1-877-222-8387 or click here; to find the Vet Center nearest you, click here.
- All regional offices of the Veterans Benefits Administration have a Women Veterans Coordinator to help women veterans apply for VA benefits and assistance programs. To locate your local office, call 1-800-827-1000 or click here. More information on women veterans' services can be found here.
- Many State Departments of Veterans Affairs have a designated Women Veterans Coordinator to help women veterans. Check the phone book blue pages under “State Government, Veterans Affairs,” or go to www.nasdva.net.
- Some community-based organizations that provide services to homeless veterans have programs designed specifically for women. To find out about organizations in your state, click here.
Specialized Programs for Women Veterans
Department of Veterans Affairs
VA has awarded grants to eight community-based homeless veteran service providers to support programs designed specifically for women veterans, including those with dependent children. The programs funded under this “special needs” Grant and Per Diem program are as follows:
California
Long Beach, United Veterans Initiative: 562-388-7810
Los Angeles, Salvation Army: 310-478-3711
San Diego, Vietnam Veterans of San Diego: 619-497-6123
Santa Rosa, Vietnam Veterans of California: 707-578-8387
Massachusetts
Leeds, United Veterans of America: 413-584-4040
Ohio
Cleveland, West Side Catholic Center: 216-636-4741
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service and Education Center: 215-923-2600
Department of Labor
On Aug. 5, 2013, the Department of Labor-Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS) announced more than $5 million in grants to aid homeless women veterans and veterans with families. These grants will provide job training, counseling and placement services. A list of grantees can be found below:
California
Escondido, North County Interfaith Council, Inc.: 760-489-6380
Los Angeles, Human Potential Consultants, LLC: 310-756-1560
Los Angeles, Goodwill Industries of Southern California: 323-223-1211
Marina, Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists: 831-393-4080
Sacramento, Volunteers of America: 916-448-1236
San Francisco, Swords to Plowshares: 415-252-4788
Florida
Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum
of Care Opportunity Inc.: 850-409-3070
Georgia
Atlanta, Mary Hall Freedom House, Inc.: 770-642-5500
Hawaii
Kapolei, United States Veterans Initiative: 808-330-2825
Illinois
Chicago, Volunteers of America of Illinois: 312-564-2304
Kentucky
Louisville, Volunteers of America of Kentucky: 502-582-0904
Maryland
Silver Spring, Easter Seals Greater Washington-Baltimore
Region, Inc.: 301-920-9715
Massachusetts
Worcester, Veterans, Inc.: 800-482-2565
Michigan
Detroit, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries: 313-993-4700
New York
Brooklyn, Black Veterans for Social Justice Inc.: 718-852-6004
Rochester, Easter Seals of New York: 585-292-5831
Ohio
Brecksville, Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio: 614-253-6100
Rhode Island
Johnston, Operation Stand Down Rhode Island: 401-383-4730
Texas
Houston, Goodwill Industries of Houston: 713-699-6728
San Antonio, American GI Forum National
Veterans Outreach Program Inc.: 210-223-4088
San Antonio, San Antonio Family Endeavors: 210-431-6466
Washington
Vancouver, Partners in Careers: 360-696-8417