by Chris Johnson, Nation’s Finest CEO
U.S. National Nonprofit Day is celebrated each year on August 17. It is a day to recognize the dedication of nonprofit organizations and their ongoing efforts to serve the community.
This year especially, I could not be prouder to serve as the CEO of an organization as committed to its community as Nation’s Finest. Founded in 1972 with a mission to support America’s military Veterans and their families with a comprehensive approach to housing, health, and employment, we’ve been guiding Veterans home for 50 years.
Nation’s Finest: A Nonprofit for Veterans
Embracing the future, Nation’s Finest will continue to address Veteran housing, employment, Mental Health, and much more with the comprehensive services we provide Veterans and their families. Each year, our team serves more than 7,000 Veterans at 31 service locations across California, Arizona, and Nevada.
When the sun sets over Windsor and Mather, Veterans have homes to sleep in with more than 300 units of transitional and permanent supportive housing communities that we’ve built to address Veteran homelessness. Those with PTSD, anxiety, substance abuse issues, and other challenges are learning to rebuild their lives with support from our staff at individual and group therapy sessions. Our team works tirelessly with local and national employers every day to help Veterans find the employment that they have earned. If you or a loved one is struggling with housing instability, mental health problems, employment roadblocks, or other related challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Highlights From Our 50th Year
We have taken a lot of action since last year’s National Nonprofit Day. We traveled to Washington, D.C. and recognized 50 pioneers in the fight to provide for our Veterans with the “Nation’s Finest 50” Award. We reached a whole new rural demographic of Veterans in need with our fleet of Mobile Services Units. Our organization has truly put the ‘Nation’ in ‘Nation’s Finest.’ Still, there are a staggering 1.4 million Veterans who are considered at risk of homelessness due to poverty, lack of support networks, and dismal living conditions — and over 40,000 Veterans are homeless on any given night. This is unacceptable. Especially in light of the sacrifice that these heroes have made for us and our country.
