CONGRESSMAN BOYLE & VETERANS HERALD $740K FUNDING AWARD FOR VETERAN SUICIDE PREVENTION

PHILADELPHIA -Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA02) and Veterans Multi-Service Center (VMC) Executive Director, Joe Brooks, today heralded the Department of Veterans Affairs recent awarding of $740,000 to VMC for tailored suicide prevention programs and services for Veterans and their families. Tuesday morning Congressman Boyle & Executive Director Brooks held a brief news conference at the VMC in Old City to share this great news.

"This funding will save lives and will ensure that both veterans and their families receive the critical support they need", said Congressman Boyle. "I have always made it clear that I believe our nation has a sacred obligation to care for our troops upon their return from service. I will continue to hold up my commitment by supporting actions and legislative measures that properly support our nations veterans."

"Federal funding is absolutely vital to the success of our suicide prevention efforts through SSG Fox programming. As a nonprofit, VMC is only able to save veteran lives with this crucial support", said VMC Executive Director Brooks. "We are deeply grateful to the VA and Congressman Brendan Boyle for their continued commitment to this life-saving work."

Federal funding is vital to the success of VMC suicide prevention efforts through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox (SSG Fox), a program under the VMC. As a nonprofit, VMC is equipped to save veteran lives with this crucial support. Over the past year alone, SSG Fox has provided critical services to 219 veterans.

Among them:

• 47 were at high risk, facing a mental health crisis
• 180 were referred to treatment, navigating barriers of the opioid epidemic
• 10 of those veterans presented in crisis with a plan of suicide, all 10 veterans were admitted into treatment, preventing the suicide

This funding will support the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP) which enables the VA to provide resources toward community-based suicide prevention efforts. Congress has authorized $174 million to be appropriated to carry out the SSG Fox SPGP, a three-year community-based grant program that provides resources to community organizations serving Veterans across the country. Grants are awarded to organizations that provide or coordinate suicide prevention services for eligible individuals at risk of suicide and their families that qualify.

The VMC was founded in 1980 by local Vietnam Veterans, who built a memorial along the Philadelphia waterfront and discovered a sense of community unparalleled. VMC programs now serve more than 6,500 Veterans and families annually throughout the tri-state area. Their mission is to "serve those who served" this great nation and to provide services, programs, opportunity and advancement to Veterans of the U.S. military and their families.