Boeing announced nearly $2 million in grants to Puget Sound-based programs that support military members, veterans and their families. The local grants are part of more than $14 million announced by Boeing to fund veterans’ workforce transition services and recovery and rehabilitation programs through 2021 and beyond.

“During this challenging time, Boeing is proud to partner with leading veterans organizations to provide our global veteran communities and their families with essential workforce transition support, and recovery and rehabilitation programs that address mental health,” said Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun.

Nineteen organizations are receiving grants specifically to serve veterans and their families in Puget Sound. The local grants include Valley Cities Counseling and Consultation, which received $225,000 to support the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic located just miles from Joint Base Lewis McChord in Pierce County. The clinic opened in 2019 and has served more than 1500 veterans and military family members, while providing over 13,000 clinical services.

“The unwavering support from Boeing has allowed us to not only help meet the need in our military community for vital mental health services but also deepen the services we are able to provide through advanced training that supports our military couples, families and youth,” said clinic director Dr. Nichole Ayres. “This grant funding will allow us to serve 1000 veterans and military families next year, and provide over 8,000 life-saving clinical services in 2020.”

HopeWorks Social Enterprises in Snohomish County will use its $75,000 grant to provide the veterans they serve with “wrap around” services designed to help them achieve self-sufficiency, which includes housing, access to classes, advanced job training resources and resume building.

“We are so excited to extend our employment services to Veterans with Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers in Snohomish County,” said Fred Safstrom, Housing Hope & HopeWorks CEO. “At our new Station Place location, all of these veterans are looking forward to developing pathways to housing-wage employment. This is just the most recent of so many HopeWorks initiatives where Boeing has played a critical role in funding brighter futures for these men and women who have served our country. We are indeed grateful.”

Project Sanctuary will use its $100,000 grant from Boeing to support veterans and their families across Puget Sound with therapeutic retreats designed to help them heal. The nonprofit also provides each family with 2 years of comprehensive family support services.

"We are grateful for the support from Boeing,” said Heather Ehle, Founder and CEO for Project Sanctuary. “COVID has amplified the challenges of military life and families need help now more than ever. Because of Boeing’s timely support, Project Sanctuary has been able to respond quickly and ensure the families who need us most are able to receive help they need now."

In addition to the investments package, Boeing also announced a $4.5 million partnership with the Institute for Veterans & Military Families (IVMF) to establish Future Force, a workforce training, recruitment and placement program for veterans. The signature program will offer certification and training courses focused on the aerospace and defense industry, complemented by networking and employment opportunities for qualified transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses.

“Boeing has a strong and storied history of supporting veterans during and after their time of service,” said Boeing’s Director of Veterans Outreach Jason Pak. “Through our new, industry-leading workforce training program, we will help thousands of veterans and military spouses transition into better jobs which in turn creates better opportunities for them, their families, Boeing and the entire aerospace industry.”

A full list of Boeing’s veterans grant partners can be found here.

By Deborah Feldman

The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic in Lakewood, Wash. will serve approximately 850 veterans and military family members this year and 1000 next year.

Photo courtesy Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Valley Cities

A military family on a therapeutic retreat provided by Project Sanctuary.

Photo courtesy Project Sanctuary