Honor Grant Program

The Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs (CCVA) utilized $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to distribute honor grants to 22 nonprofit organizations with existing programs for veterans and their families between November 2022 and February 2025. The organizations address mental health, education and job placement, home and food security in addition to making benefits more accessible.

Honor Grant Recipients

  • A Safe Haven – Homelessness prevention, housing, job training and mental health services for veterans
  • Arthur Lockhart Foundation – Weekly food distribution to veterans and their families
  • Benjiman Davis VFW Post – Social and community support, veteran advocacy and service connections
  • Code Platoon – Skills and opportunities for careers in technology for veterans, active duty servicemembers and spouses
  • Dion's Chicago Dream – Mentorship, job readiness and support for veterans transitioning to civilian life
  • FORT II: Feather Fist – Legal services, housing assistance, employment support and wellness programs for veterans
  • Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network) – Legal assistance and advocacy for veterans facing legal challenges
  • Illinois Joining Forces – Collaborative network offering resources for veteran services, including employment and healthcare
  • IMD Guest House Chicago – Emergency shelter, housing and support services for homeless veterans
  • Inner Voice – Support services for homeless veterans, including housing, case management and mental health care
  • Leave No Veteran Behind – Educational programs, mentorship and reintegration services for veterans
  • Merging Vets and Players – Peer support, job training and networking for veterans and former athletes
  • Military Outreach USA – Employment services, family support and advocacy for veterans
  • National Women's Veteran United – Support and advocacy for women veterans, including resources for housing, healthcare and employment
  • New Pisgah – Housing and recovery services for homeless veterans and their families
  • Northwest Compass VA Support Program – Assistance with VA benefits, housing and other community resources for veterans
  • Of Color Inc – Support and advocacy for veterans of color, including career development and community engagement
  • OMAC - University of Chicago – Education and career development support for veterans through university programs
  • Safer Foundation – Employment services, job training and support for veterans who are justice involved
  • The Chicago Lighthouse – Vision rehabilitation, job training and employment services for visually impaired veterans
  • The Village Legal and Community Project- Pro bono and sliding-scale legal services for veterans
  • VOA Illinois Veteran Peer Support Training – Peer support and training programs to help veterans adjust to civilian life