MORRIS COUNTY — Community Hope has received a grant in the amount of $7,500 from Affinity Federal Credit Union. The donation made by the Foundation will be used to fund shelter and critical services for veterans who served in various wartime periods and conflicts, many with complex medical and mental health histories including severe PTSD, multiple physical ailments, and struggling with substance use.
“Some of the veterans in our programs have been living on the streets or in shelters for many years with no access to healthcare and no mental health treatment services,” said Carmine V. Deo, Executive Director of Community Hope. “This grant will have a significant impact on veterans’ lives, ensuring they receive the counseling and therapy they need to overcome PTSD and other issues plaguing our former service men and women.”
This year alone, Community Hope estimates that through their veterans’ programs and services more than 1,000 veterans and family members will be saved from living on streets and overcrowded shelters. In addition, each day 150 individuals are served in Community Hope’s mental health supportive housing and residential recovery programs.
Community Hope is a leading nonprofit organization serving veterans in need and at-risk veteran families in and around New Jersey. Founded in 1985 by caring families of young adults whose lives were impacted by severe depression and other debilitating mental illnesses, Community Hope is on a mission to help veterans and their families overcome mental illness, addiction, homelessness and poverty by providing housing and support services. The Hope for Veterans umbrella of programs has saved more than 6,000 veterans and their family members. To learn more about Community Hope, click here and follow us on Instagram: CommunityHope_NJ, Twitter @CommunityHopeNJ, and Facebook at facebook.com/CommunityHopeNJ.
The AFCU Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Affinity Federal Credit Union and its Community Connected. The Foundation is dedicated to helping vulnerable populations thrive towards financial independence. The Foundation invests in local, grassroots organizations that support those in need, both through contributing grant dollars and connecting charities with skilled volunteers to elevate their mission.
With more than 20 branches across the tri-state area, Affinity is the largest credit union headquartered in the state of New Jersey, proudly ranking in the top 2% of all credit unions in terms of asset size. It is a member-owned, not-for-profit, full-service financial institution federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). For more information click here.