Military & Veterans News

VA, America’s Adopt A Soldier partner to help Veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness stay connected

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it is collecting laptop and mobile phone donations through an established partner non-profit organization, America’s Adopt A Soldier, to help Veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness stay connected to their health care providers, case managers and loved ones.

Through these donations, Veterans can access treatment plans, medical support, social networks and more while also following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  safe distancing guidelines.

“As VA continues to help provide secure, safe and stable housing for all Veterans, we’re also helping them stay connected to needed services, family and friends,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “This partnership makes those valuable connections possible for Veterans who might not otherwise have access to mobile phones or computers.”

Hundreds of smartphones and laptops have been collected through public and corporate donations. These donations have been shipped to Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 21, which includes VA Health Care Systems for San Francisco, Palo Alto, Northern California, and Southern Nevada. The laptops and smartphones will go to Veterans enrolled in one of three VA programs: Housing and Urban Development – VA Supportive Housing, Grant and Per Diemtransitional housing and Health Care for Homeless Veterans Contract Residential Services. As additional donations arrive, America’s Adopt A Soldier will work with VA to identify additional VISNs in need.

“While America’s Adopt A Soldier has had a long-standing partnership with VA to help Veterans at risk of homelessness in other ways, this project allows for the organizations to meet the urgent needs of Veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mary Keeser, founder and chair of America’s Adopt a Soldier and former U.S. Army Officer. “The success of this project will also ensure we are able to better plan for and respond to future or long-term requirements.”

Learn more about how VA is working to protect Veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic at homeless coronavirus.

 ###

Blog Tags:
Military & Veterans News

From Our Member Community

The Dick Van Dyke Show WeSalute Awards CelebVet: Dick Van Dyke “I'm looking for work if anybody has,” joked the now 100-year-old comedian and entertainer Dick Van Dyke. Best known for his iconic roles in films like Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and the classic television series The Dick Van Dyke Show, the beloved actor has officially joined the centenarian club. Van Dyke celebrated his 100th birthday on December 13, a milestone marked not by a lavish Hollywood gala, but in true Van Dyke fashion: with a low-key day at home watching Jeopardy! reruns with his wife, Arlene Silver.
holiday travel guide 2025 Discounts & Benefits WeSalute Review: Your 2025 Holiday Travel Guide on How to Save More and Stress Less on Your Getaway The holiday season is officially in full swing. While the golden rule of travel is usually "book early," we know that military & veteran life doesn't always adhere to a strict schedule. If you are just now finalizing your plans for Hanukkah, Christmas, or New Year's, don't panic. Preparation is still the key to a stress-free vacation, and even at this late stage, knowing where to look can lead to significant savings.
Scott Higgins Discounts & Benefits Connecting When It Matters Most: Your Two Weeks to Make Memories As the calendar flips closer to the end of the year, we enter what I always consider the most critical two weeks for connection. This run-up to the holidays — from mid-December right through Christmas and New Year’s — is when the impulse to connect with friends, family, and loved ones becomes a necessity. For the military community, whose lives are defined by separation, these are the moments you simply can't miss.

Join Our Community.
 

Yes, Get Me Started

Already a member? Login now.