Bob Woodruff Foundation and the State of Qatar Partner to Support Florida Veterans

With the State of Qatar contributing $5 million to assist Florida veterans affected by Hurricane Ian, the Bob Woodruff Foundation and the State of Qatar teamed up to plan how best to address needs. The donation came one year after Ian hit and provides hurricane recovery support to US veterans living in affected counties. Given Florida’s significant veteran population–third in the US–many were impacted by the hurricane. 

Meet the 2023 Hurricane Ian Recovery Fund Grant Recipients 

The Bob Woodruff Foundation awarded $1.26 million to the following six organizations who will help veterans and their families who were impacted by Hurricane Ian:

Boley Centers provides treatment, rehabilitation, employment, and housing services for individuals in recovery. They offer housing and employment programs to those in critical need. This funding provides assistance for transportation, utilities, food, employment, and housing to 80 veteran households. “We are grateful to the Bob Woodruff Foundation and the Embassy of the State of Qatar for their support in bridging gaps at Boley Centers. The two organizations are helping veterans transition from hopelessness to a future filled with optimism, independence, and success,” remarked Kevin Marrone, CEO of Boley Centers. 

Home Base, A Red Sox Foundation, and Massachusetts General Hospital Program: Florida ranks 49 out of 50 on Mental Health America’s Access Ranking. This underscores the challenges faced by veterans in accessing high-quality mental health care. Home Base Florida uses a community empowerment model to increase veterans’ access to trauma-informed, culturally competent care. This funding will support peer-to-peer community outreach and evidence-based mental health care for 60 veterans and their families. 

Homeless Empowerment Program (HEP) helps homeless and low-income individuals and families by provides housing, food, clothing, and other services to help homeless and low income families and individuals. The goal is to improve their quality of life through self-sufficiency. With this funding, HEP will provide rental assistance and community-based case management to at least 75 veterans impacted by Hurricane Ian. HEP will also help these individuals find permanent housing and will provide shuttle services to the C.W. Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. CEO Ashley Lowery emphasizes, “This is not charity; this is help. We believe in people helping themselves.” 

Rutgers University Foundation – Vets4Warriors provides “upstream support” to veterans and their families. This includes emergency financial aid, mental healthcare connections, and peer support. Peers who provide support are also veterans, military family members, or caregivers. These individuals help callers in crises and participants who are working towards achieving goals. This grant will ensure that Vets4Warriors’ peer staff can provide support to at least 500 veterans and their families.

St. Vincent de Paul CARES (SVdP CARES)serves veterans and their families across 16 counties in Florida. Leveraging the Rapid Rehousing (RRH) model and Housing First principles, they have successfully housed and stabilized numerous veterans. Due to various challenges, including the effects of Hurricane Ian and economic pressures, more veterans are facing homelessness. This funding will provide emergency shelter for 18 veterans in Hillsborough County and help at least 46 veterans with essential needs. 

Volunteers of America of Florida (VOAFL) provides transitional and permanent housing, case management, behavioral health care, and more to Florida’s veterans. There has been an increase in demand for services due to the cost of living and shortage of affordable housing. As such, this funding will ensure that at least 100 veterans in counties impacted by Hurricane Ian receive assistance.

Block Party Reception in Tampa

We hosted our Tampa partners at a Block Party. There we announced the partnership, and celebrated our grant recipients and the Florida veteran community’s resilience. Mayor of Tampa Jane Castor, Congresswoman Katherine Harris, Fort Myers City Councilmember Liston Bochette III joined us. The Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the US, His Excellency Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani and Bob Woodruff were also in the audience.

Our partnership with the Embassy of the State of Qatar’s partnership will continue through 2024. We will continue to grant funds to Florida organizations supporting veterans in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.  

Learn more about our partnership with the Embassy of Qatar here.