"STAND DOWN" is a military term which refers to fresh troops taking care of exhausted combat troops by removing them from the battlefield to an environment that is safe and secure. The soldiers are given medical attention, food, fresh clothing and the chance to get cleaned up, rest and recuperate.

On August 21 2010, the Pittsburgh community will come together to host Stand Down 2010 - an intensive service fair for homeless veterans, their families, and other citizens in need. If you are a service provider, volunteer, or just want to help, please contact Bob Rosswog at 412-481-8200, rosswogr@vlpwpa.org.

Click here to download the flyer.

Click here to view photos from Stand Down 2009.

Please mark your calendars and join us for our 21st annual Partners in Leadership Awards celebration on October 21, 2010. Once again, VLP will take time to honor those who have served and sacrificed on behalf of us all. Your support allows us to continue the important work of serving our region's veterans, service members and their families. Click Here to view videos from the 2009 Partners in Leadership Awards.

Click Here to view pictures from the 2009 Partners in Leadership Awards.

Click Here to Purchase Tickets for the 2010 Partners in Leadership Awards.

On April 19, 2010, Admiral Mike Mullen, met with staff and clients of VLP as part of his conversations with the county initiative to ensure better futures for veterans. Accompanying Admiral Mullen was Mrs. Mullen, Congressman Tim Murphy, and Chancellor Mark Nordenberg from the University of Pittsburgh. VLP also participated in a Town Hall meeting during Admiral Mullen's visit.

Click Here to Read a News Report from the Department of Defense on Admiral Mullen's visit.

Click Here to Read an article from Bloomberg Businessweek about the Admiral's visit to VLP.

Click Here to Read about Admiral Mullen's visit on KDKA.COM.

Click Here to view Video News Coverage on KDKA.COM.

Click Here to Read a Transcript of the Town Hall Meeting on the Joint Chiefs of Staff Website.

Click Here to view photos of Admiral Mullen's visit.

Click Here to Read a Post-Gazette story Admiral Mullen's visit.

Click Here to Read a story from WDUQ on Admiral Mullen's visit.

Click Here to Read a story from The Pittsburgh Tribune Review on Admiral Mullen's visit.

Sea to Shining Sea is a 4000 mile bicycle ride across the United States by a group of wounded warriors. All funds raised after costs go to other athletic events World T.E.A.M. Sports runs for disabled Americans and Soldiers' Angels, a leading support organization for United States Service Personnel The Ride will begin at the Golden Gate Bridge on May 22 2010 and will make a stop in Pittsburgh.

Click here for details.

Duquesne University's Clinic offers free, confidential counseling services to help those struggling with issues related to the psychological trauma of war, as well as separations and the cycles of deployment, homecoming, and reenty to civilian life.

Click Here for More Information.

May 10 2010

by Bruce Auster

Who will take care of the new veterans? The answer is not as simple as it might seem, because veterans today are very different from those of even a few years ago.

Click Here to Read the Full Story.

The University of Pittsburgh has developed a program that can help veterans with sleep disturbances. Please click on the link to view more information.

Click Here To Read More.

Veterans Leadership Program (VLP) is honored to have been approved to participate in the 3 Rivers/Pennsylvania West Combined Federal Campaign which runs from October 1, 2010-Decembr 15, 2010. The CFC is the only authorized solicitation of Federal employees in their workplaces on behalf of approved charitable organizations. The 3 Rivers/Pennsylvania West CFC covers Western Pennsylvania, parts of eastern Ohio, and the West Virginia panhandle. The Campaign provides this region's federal employees and military personnel the opportunity to help our region's service members, veterans, and their families achieve self-sufficiency, sustainability, and a better quality of life thru VLP's housing, employment, and supportive services programs. VLP's CFC Agency Number is 38965.

Click Here to Visit the Three Rivers/Pennsylvania West Combined Federal Campaign Website.

click here to Download a CFC Flyer

Presented by the Forbes Fund in cooperation with The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Charities, The Wishart Award is made annually to a local nonprofit, human service or community development organization that demonstrates a sustained commitment to excellence in management and governance.

VLP was a finalist for the Wishart Award in 2009.

Click here for more information on the Wishart Award and to view a video featuring VLP produced by WQED.

The mission of the Airlift Research Foundation is to fund research and chamipn awareness that improves the care of military and civilian survivors of traumatic extremity injuries.

Click here to watch a video about the Airlift Research Foundation.

Click Here to view the Airlift Research Foundation Website.

VLP Board Chair, Frank DeCarlo, reports on the challenges facing today's veterans and how each of us can do our duty to help.

Click here for the interview.

VLP is featured in an article in the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Newsletter. The article on VLP can be found on page 10 and there are many other news-worthy articles found in the newsletter

Click here to read the Pennsylvania Veteran Newsletter article on VLP.

Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania (VLP) is looking for volunteer mentors to help veterans who encounter the criminal justice system. The mission of the Veterans Court Mentoring Program is to support the veteran through their readjustment to civilian life, to assist the veteran navigate through the court, treatment, and VA systems, and to act as a friend and ally through this difficult time. The goal is to ensure that no veteran is left behind.

Click Here to download the Mentor Application in WORD.

Click Here to download the Mentor Application as a PDF.

VLP has been selected to receive two new sources of funding and has had one existing competitive grant renewed. This funding will allow VLP to continue carrying out our mission of improving the self-sufficiency, sustainability and quality of life for our veterans. Please see below for more information.

United Way of Allegheny County Impact Fund.

VLP is honored to have been recognized by the United Way of Allegheny County for our unwavering commitment to our veterans. Of the 97 proposals that were submitted to the United Way, only 18 agencies were chosen to receive funding, VLP being one of those 18. Click here to read the official press release from the United Way.

Veterans Workforce Investment Program (VWIP).

VLP, in conjunction with our colleagues in Philadelphia and Harrisburg, has been awarded the VWIP grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. This employment and training grant will focus on "Green Jobs" and will allow us to assist veterans by channeling them into new and exciting careers. Click here to read the official press release from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP).

VLP has operated HVRP since 1993. This competitive grant will allow VLP to continue serving our area's homeless veterans by providing them with career guidance, training, job placement and a wide array of supportive services to assist them with reintegrating back into the workforce. Click here to read the official press release from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing

VLP, in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Department of Veterans Affairs and Shepherd's Heart Fellowship has been awarded funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP). This program will provide financial assistance, housing relocation and stabilization services to the Pittsburgh region's "at risk" population. The HPRP program will be available to all area residents.

Click to read the award letter from Allegheny County.

Click to read the award letter from the City of Pittsburgh.

VLP's latest newsletter is now on line

Click Here to Read the Newsletter.