KOKOMO, IN – Members and veterans of the U.S. military, along with their families, can now access a critical program through United Way serving Howard and Tipton Counties, MISSION UNITED.

MISSION UNITED connects these individuals to wrap-around services in the community with a comprehensive case management program.

The MISSION UNITED program is a collective effort that addresses the complicated and fragmented systems for veteran services currently in place. MISSION UNITED works with veterans with multiple issues to define their biggest need and work toward achieving and maintaining the ultimate goal: in most cases, housing.

“My dream was to get a place of my own, again,” said Kevin Dyer, MISSION UNITED participant. “With the help of MISSION UNITED, Jackson Street Commons and Habitat for Humanity, I’ll have a place for all my grandkids to come and visit.”

Angie Ciski, Jackson Street Commons Director, said, “The program serves as a community collaboration that serves as a central contact for veterans to access community support, ensuring that MISSION UNITED participants and their families are never more than two steps from the help they need.”

“We are making a difference,” said Debbie Norris, United Way serving Howard and Tipton Counties Community Impact Officer. “It’s not just for one group of veterans…It’s for all veterans, whether you served our country for one day or 15 plus years.”

“Last fall, I had a dental crisis that could have caused a domino effect for me financially,” said a MISSION UNITED participant. “MISSION UNITED was able to access resources that helped me get the help I needed without having to go through a bunch of hoops.”

MISSION UNITED helps with wrap-around services in the following areas: housing, utilities, identification, medical, prescription, dental co-pays, food referrals, connections to community and other veteran service resources. United Way serving Howard and Tipton Counties and Jackson Street Commons, a Family Service Association program, are collaborating to provide advocacy and assistance to veterans identifying goals and remove barriers. For more information on MISSION UNITED, call 765-457-HELP (4357).

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