Operation Homefront Launches the "Army Homefront Fund" to Focus on Care and Transition of Wounded Soldiers

Also announced formalized linkages with 10 other nonprofits "joining forces" to support the military.

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Operation Homefront (OH) and the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command (WTC) today announced the creation of the Army Homefront Fund. A Memorandum of Understanding between OH and the WTC recognizes the new 501(c)(3) organization, which OH will administer.  The Fund will provide emergency financial and other support to Soldiers and their families, with a focus on Wounded Warrior care and transition assistance. The Army Homefront Fund will help wounded Soldiers return to duty or transition successfully back to civilian life.  Working closely with the Army and a network of like-minded nonprofits, the Fund will fill gaps outside government capabilities.

TriWest Healthcare Alliance became the first lead donor for the Fund, announcing an annual commitment of $500,000.  A resource advisory committee is being led by retired Chief of Staff General Dennis J. Reimer

"As we prepare to celebrate the Army's birthday tomorrow, what better time to initiate this new Fund in support of the Army's Wounded Warriors.," said Jim Knotts, President and CEO of Operation Homefront and the Army Homefront Fund. "Under the agreement with the Army, we will be able to identify needs earlier so we can provide the needed assistance earlier, taking care of emergencies and hopefully even intervening before a simple need becomes a crisis."

"This is the culmination of a lot of work," Gen. Martin Dempsey, Chief of Staff of the Army, told the coalition of organizations forming the initial partnership for the Fund.  "This is probably the best thing that has happened to us this Army birthday week.  The Army Homefront Fund will be available to us to help soldiers and families on a rapid basis."

The Army Homefront Fund approach is a simple one: accept donations and then quickly get cash grants, not loans, to the Soldiers who need them. Grants are usually paid directly to mortgage lenders, auto mechanics, utility companies, doctors, and other providers. Assistance is usually provided within 24-72 hours after receiving pertinent information from the Warrior or family member.

The Army Homefront Fund will leverage the infrastructure, staffs, policies, processes, and expertise of OH.  The U.S. Army provides no funding and does not control the Fund, which is a separate nonprofit with its own board of directors and a resource advisory committee led by retired Chief of Staff General Dennis J. Reimer.

The Army Homefront Fund will offer the same services that Operation Homefront provides to military families of all branches of service, including assistance for rent and mortgage, utilities, emergency food, emergency home repair, critical baby items, budget counseling, transitional housing, vehicle repair, furniture needs, moving assistance, emergency healthcare, and vision care.

The event also included the announcement of formal linkages between 10 other organizations and Operation Homefront.  The organizations are joining forces so that whenever a particular need is identified, the Soldier can be referred to the organization most suited to meeting the specific need.

The organizations which have formalized linkages include:

1. American Legion Auxiliary
2. American Red Cross
3. Give an Hour
4. Military Child Education Coalition
5. National Military Family Association
6. Our Military Kids
7. Semper Fi Fund
8. USA Cares
9. Veterans of Foreign Wars
10. Yellow Ribbon Fund

"No one nonprofit can meet all needs of our wounded Soldiers.  This group of nonprofits is stronger than any one alone, joining forces to serve our Wounded Warriors, a coalition of the willing to aid our proud Warriors and their families as they return to service within their communities," said Jim Knotts.  

The Fund receives no money from the government, so support of individuals and corporations is sought to meet the needs.  TriWest Healthcare Alliance CEO David McIntyre was on hand to announce his company's commitment of $500,000 per year to this effort.

"TriWest and the linked nonprofits reflect the tremendous outpouring of support for our troops from the American people.  I look forward to more organizations, more corporations, and more everyday Americans to join forces with the Army Homefront Fund to support those who have sacrificed so much."

About Operation Homefront

Operation Homefront provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service members and Wounded Warriors.   A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers across 25 chapters and has met more than 400,000 needs since 2002.  A four-star rated charity by watchdog Charity Navigator, Operation Homefront has also earned the prestigious American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP) "A" rating.  For more information about Operation Homefront, please visit us at www.operationhomefront.net.

About Army Homefront Fund

Under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Army Warrior Transition Command, Operation Homefront has created and will administer the "Army Homefront Fund" that will provide emergency financial and other support to Soldiers and their families, with a focus on Wounded Warrior care and transition assistance.  

The Army Homefront Fund is helping wounded Soldiers return to duty, or transition successfully back to civilian life.  Working closely with the Army and our network of nonprofit partners, the Fund is filling gaps outside government capabilities.

Wounded Soldiers and their families face many challenges – physical, psychological, emotional, and even financial.  They have to define a new normal for the Warrior and the family.  Many in transition have to go back to school, get job training and placement, or spouses have to become primary wage earners.  The Army Homefront Fund provides emergency assistance, sometimes just to put food on the table or keep a family from homelessness.  The Fund helps them get the resources they need to weather the storms, and find the safe harbors for their futures.

SOURCE Operation Homefront