National Veterans Foundation
The National Veterans Foundation (NVF) was incorporated as a 501 c 3 non-profit under the name of Vietnam Veterans Aid Foundation (VVAF) in 1985. It is led by its Founder and President, Floyd "Shad" Meshad MSW, LCSW, CTS, TFTdx.
By 1987, the VVAF had become the only private veterans charity offering comprehensive, live crisis management [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crisis_management]and information and referral to Veterans and their families through its "National Toll-Free Crisis Management, Information and Referral Lifeline—1-888-777-4443." Staffed by veterans trained in the delivery of information and referral services, as well as licensed counselors to whom all crisis calls are routed, more than 275,000 veterans in need of medical treatment, substance abuse rehabilitation, benefit counseling, food, shelter, employment training, legal aid, advocacy, or [...] intervention, have now been served by this critical resource.
In 1992, the VVAF formally changed its name to the National Veterans Foundation, in recognition of its work to provide services to meet the crisis and information needs of veterans and their families from all wars, nationwide. Today, the National Veterans Foundation continues to serve American veterans and their families through its 3 core programs.
1. NATIONAL TOLL-FREE CRISIS MANAGEMENT, INFORMATION & REFERRAL LIFELINE:Provides National Crisis Management and Information and Referral to thousands of Veterans and their families in need (more than 15,000 last year) each year.
2. OUTREACH & RESOURCES PROGRAM: 1Provides food, clothing, transportation services, entertainment, and employment opportunities for thousands (6,300 in FY 2003-04) of low income Southern California veterans and their families each year.
3. EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM:Provides veteran speakers at Southern California schools, professional venues, and on news and radio programs to enhance public awareness and sensitivity to the effects of war, and the resolution resources available for the veterans and families impacted by this experience. This program also includes partnerships with other veterans rehabilitation agencies to provide informational seminars to clients, and training for agency staff-members on how best to deal with the specialized human service needs of American veterans.
The NVF is best known for its work as the only veterans charity specializing in live, toll-free crisis management, information and referral services for all veterans and their families through its "National Lifeline—1-888-777-4443." Staffed by fellow veterans trained in the delivery of information and referral services, as well as trained mental health counselors, over a quarter million veterans in need of emotional support, medical treatment, substance abuse rehabilitation, benefit counseling, food, shelter, employment training, legal aid, advocacy, or [...] intervention have now been helped by this one-of-a-kind resource.
At the request of the U.S. Government, NVF President Shad Meshad traveled to Russia to work with counselors and veterans of the Soviet/Afghan war in the late 1980’s. After the [...] attacks of September 11, 2001, Meshad was again called on to provide trauma and compassion fatigue training to the counselors at Ground Zero in New York.
The NVF’s extraordinary record of service has not gone unnoticed. As a recognized leader within the community of organizations that provide human services to veterans and their families, the NVF frequently plays a role as advisor, partner and collaborator---providing technical assistance, training, and donations of food, clothing, and other goods to other non-profits who serve veterans.
NVF is primarily supported through donations from individuals, corporations and foundations, in-kind donations of food and other resources, and through proceeds from auctions and special events.