(VIERA, FL) June 7, 2023– No veteran should be without a place to call home. In Central Florida, two nonprofit organizations are taking aim at veteran homelessness -- and the Indian River Colony Club Foundation has stepped up to help. In mid-May, the Foundation approved two grants, presenting a $5,000 check to Veterans Connections to a New Life, along with a $3,000 check to National Veterans Homeless Support. With a focus on PTSD, Veterans Connections to a New Life provides free services to veterans, helping to ensure returning military veterans successfully transition back to civilian life after the completion of their service. Volunteers with National Veterans Homeless Support tackle veteran homelessness directly where it exists, finding clients through street level outreach. The group provides homeless vets with the basics to ensure their survival, while building rapport and connecting them to a network of community partners-- moving them rapidly from homeless to housed. For more information about the charitable work of the Indian River Colony Club Foundation, call 321-255-6000.
The Indian River Colony Club Foundation represents the Viera, Florida community comprised largely of military veterans. The ongoing practice of donating to an assortment of veterans causes and charities embodies the community motto of "Service to Those Who Served."
"These two organizations provide valuable assistance year-round to veterans in our community," said IRCC Foundation Chairman, Jerry Gill. "We continue to support them through grants so that they may directly aid homeless or low-income veterans and their families in critical need in Brevard County."
The Indian River Colony Club community of nearly 800 homes is a dedicated supporter of veterans causes. In recent years, they were presented with the Outstanding Military Service Award by Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, for their ongoing efforts on behalf of U.S. military veterans.
Viera's very first neighborhood, Indian River Colony Club is known as "The Place Patriots Call Home." A haven for military veterans, the par-72 private golf course community has a patriotic culture and country club amenities for active adults aged 55 and over. Residents have dedicated their lives to military service and continue their efforts in retirement, with a host of ongoing efforts for the betterment of Brevard County veterans and the regional military community.
The Indian River Colony Club Foundation represents the generous donors of Indian River Colony Club, under the leadership of Foundation Board Chairman and retired U.S. Army Colonel, Jerry Gill and Military Services Organization Committee Chair, retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Brian Whalen. The purpose of the IRCC Foundation is to provide grants for educational, medical, emergency, and other charitable purposes to employees and residents of IRCC and to organizations that assist individuals who are current or former members of the Uniformed Services of the United States. For more information about Indian River Colony Club or the Foundation, call 321-255-6000, visit their website at ColonyClub.com or like their Facebook page.
About Veterans Connections to a New Life -- Don Pearsall, a twice-wounded Viet Nam combat veteran, founded Veterans Connections to a New Life in 2014, with a mission to help veterans transition to civilian life. The Central Florida-based nonprofit provides free services to veterans. Those with immediate needs are given financial assistance for gas, repairs, utilities, clothing and housing, along with professional counseling and guidance to aid toward transition. The 501(c)(3) organization uses certified life coaches and nationally certified, peer support specialists in their veteran outreach, specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Pearsall's book, “Back from the Front” addresses PTSD as the primary cause of difficulty for veterans transitioning to civilian life. All proceeds from his book go toward support for the nonprofit. Learn more at www.ConnectionstoaNewLife.com.
About National Veterans Homeless Support -- Founded in 2008, National Veterans Homeless Support is based in Brevard County, Florida. Their stated mission is to eliminate homelessness among veterans in Central Florida. NVHS takes a proactive approach: they tackle homelessness directly where it exists --on the streets of our community. They find clients through street level outreach, provide basic needs to ensure their survival and build rapport, and connect veterans to any organization that offers a service beneficial to them, rapidly moving from homeless to housed. NVHS offers three programs created to tackle the needs of veterans experiencing homelessness in Brevard County. These programs are Search and Rescue; Transitional Housing; and Post Traumatic Stress Awareness. They have built a network of community partners and are expanding their outreach activities rapidly across Central Florida to meet the needs of veterans in the region. You can learn more about NVHS and their many efforts at www.nvhs.org.
About Indian River Colony Club – Viera's very first neighborhood, Indian River Colony Club (IRCC) was originally conceived as a retirement destination for military retirees. IRCC began to take shape in 1986, its vision to create a private country club-like environment for members. Still predominantly a haven for military veterans, IRCC maintains a culture centered on service to others. IRCC is a gated golf course community of nearly 800 homes on 453 acres in Viera, owned entirely by its membership. “The Place Patriots Call Home” enjoys 24-hour gated security, a generous maintenance package and a full complement of newly renovated and 100% debt-free country club amenities for active adults aged 55 and over, including an 18-hole, par-72 private golf course designed by acclaimed Florida golf course architect, Gordon G. Lewis. Social memberships are available for those who live offsite but wish to enjoy the amenities and lifestyle. The patriotic neighborhood was named one of the 2018 Top 20 Golf Communities in North America by Golf Course Home Network. For more information about Indian River Colony Club, call 321-255-6000 or visit their website at www.ColonyClub.com.
