NEW WEB-BASED RESOURCE FOR VIRGINIA VETERANS AND FAMILIES LAUNCHES TODAY

VirginiaNavigator, a statewide non-profit that provides free web-based resources for older adults, people with disabilities and their families, announced today the launch of the newest addition to its family of websites: VeteransNavigator.org. The comprehensive website – designed to serve and help Virginia veterans – was made possible thanks in part to a $100,000 grant from Dominion Resources, parent company of Dominion Virginia Power.

“Virginia is home to over 800,000 veterans and the need for veteran’s services – and easy connection to those services – is critical,” said Gov. Terry McAuliffe. “A top priority of mine, and that of my administration, is to make Virginia the most veteran- and military-friendly state in the nation. As we commemorate Veterans Day later this week, I’m pleased that our veterans and their families now have access to VeteransNavigator to help them secure services they may need.”

The website offers a one-stop online resource for Virginia veterans, their families and caregivers, with easy access to targeted support services, educational features and vital public, private and non-profit programs and resources available on the local, state and national level.

“At Dominion, one in five new hires is a veteran,” said Thomas F. Farrell II, chairman, president and CEO of Dominion Resources. “We are immensely proud of our veterans and recognize the personal sacrifices they have made to serve our country. It is a privilege and honor to support VeteransNavigator so that veterans and their families have every opportunity to live connected and productive lives.”

As the ‘Founding Partner’ of VeteransNavigator, Dominion Resources provided funding to develop and launch the website through its philanthropic arm, the Dominion Foundation.

Content and features focus on meeting key needs of both pre- and post-9/11 veterans, including job training and employment, veterans and military family benefits, housing and homelessness, behavioral health, long-term care, peer support, family caregiver support, social and recreational opportunities.

In addition, VeteransNavigator offers:

A community calendar where visitors can find events – everything from support groups, to employment fairs, to sports and social clubs;
“Ask an Expert” that provides free, confidential, expert assistance – powered by professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to provide comfort and guidance;
A live chat feature for extra help finding answers; and more.
Because it is online, VeteransNavigator will serve as a comprehensive informational hub 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For those who do not use a computer, the organization is in the process of establishing additional ‘Navigator Center’ network partnerships at military installments and related organizations across the state, where trained staff can assist veterans in utilizing the website.

“Veterans, as well as their families, proudly serve our country and when the time comes to leave active duty, they often need support during their transition and beyond,” said Virginia House of Delegates Majority Leader and long-time veterans advocate, Kirk Cox. “My staff and I plan to share VeteransNavigator with our military and veteran constituents who are looking to locate and connect to the wide array of programs and services available to them.”

“Throughout the development of VeteransNavigator, we collaborated with numerous public and private partners and individuals to ensure the site would give veterans and their families access to reliable and valuable resources to help them navigate their post-military journey,” said Adrienne M. Johnson, executive director of the VirginiaNavigator Family of Websites.

“As our nation celebrates Family Caregiver Month and prepares to pay special tribute to our heroes and their families on Veterans Day, we launch VeteransNavigator to help those brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for so many,” said Johnson.

To locate veteran-related programs/services or educational information, visit www.VeteransNavigator.org