SPRINGFIELD–(ENEWSPF)–September 1, 2011. The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) today announced $524,925 in grants from Veterans’ Cash scratch-off lottery ticket sales to help nine colleges and non-profits deliver rehabilitative programs and other services for Illinois’ veterans.
Championed by now-Governor Pat Quinn in 2006, Veterans Cash has funded programs for veterans throughout Illinois. All proceeds from ticket sales are deposited into the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund, making it the first Illinois Lottery ticket for which 100 percent of the net proceeds are dedicated to support Illinois veterans.
“The Veterans Cash lottery ticket has been a fun, easy and unique way for Illinois citizens to help our veterans tackle many chronic and often debilitating conditions that affect them when they return to civilian life,” said IDVA Director Erica Borggren.
First-quarter (FY 12) grants have been awarded to the following Illinois organizations:
- A Safe Haven Foundation—$63,000 for furniture and household supplies for their new veteran-only permanent supportive housing project in Chicago
- Chicago Medical Innovations—$81,000 to treat veterans who have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in a revolutionary new procedure called Stellate Ganglion Block at their Hoffman Estates-based pain management clinic
- Chicago Veterans Economic Development Council—$10,000 to support their Stand Down program that provides resources, information, and care for homeless veterans
- Evanston Vet Center—$3,350 for their conflict management training programs for female veterans
- Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA)—$28,525 for support of their veterans program including adaptive sports equipment, training, and ice and facility rental
- Northern Illinois University—$68,000 to support their Military Student Services program
- Southern Illinois University at Carbondale—$81,050 to support their “Victory through Education, Training, and Support (VETS)” program that provides assistance for veterans in SIU and the greater Carbondale area who are in need of medical, dental, and health wellness services
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Department of Illinois—$100,000 to support their efforts in assisting Illinois veterans as they apply for, appeal, and/or facilitate their benefits with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Volunteers of America of Illinois—$90,000 for their True North Project to assist homeless veterans in Illinois who face serious instability in their lives
On a quarterly basis, IDVA’s Veterans Cash Grant Committee reviews applications and awards grants to groups that help address PTSD, homelessness, health insurance costs, long-term care and disability benefits. To date, more than 160 organizations have shared about $9 million in funding.
To apply for a grant, please download an application at the Veterans Cash website.
For more information about IDVA and its programs, please visit the agency’s homepage.
Source: illinois.gov
