DAYTON, Ohio — The Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced the recipients of a new major funding award. 

More than 100 organizations across the country applied, but the Greater Miami Valley My-Veteran Community in Dayton is one of only two recipients to win the Community Catalyst Award. 

What You Need To Know

  • More than 100 organizations across the country applied for the Community Catalyst Award

  • Greater Miami Valley My-Veteran Community was one two recipients of the funding

  • Dr. Cassie Barlow and the Greater Miami My-Veteran Community have connected veterans to more than 100 providers and resources since 2015

  • More than 70 organizations will be at Wright-State University to connect veterans to services they need in May

Since 2015, Dr. Cassie Barlow and the Greater Miami My-Veteran Community have connected veterans to more than 100 providers and resources. 

It’s a lot of work behind the scenes. Barlow was a former installation commander at Wright-Patterson AFB.

“We have over 200 thousand veterans that live here in our region and our state has the 6th largest grouping of veterans from across the country,” she said.

The group will receive $100,000 to continue the work. One of the biggest initiatives is a 24/7 helpline called Vets-Link through Dayton’s United Way. Veterans talk one on one with other veterans.

“Whether you have an issue with homelessness or have food insecurity issues, it doesn’t matter they’re going to connect you with a resource and then they’re going to follow up with you,” Barlow said.

Another major initiative is a yearly veterans resource fair happening in May.

More than 70 organizations will be at Wright-State University to connect veterans to services they need.

Air Force veteran David Weeks is the Commander of the Disabled American Veterans organization, or DAV, in Dayton. 

He also volunteers at six other veteran outreach agencies in the region.

“I’ve been 100% disabled since 2014. So that’s why I volunteer a lot,” Weeks said.

For years, he’s been representing the DAV at the Vets Moving Forward Resource Fair.

“I help veterans get their disability claims so I can help them get their percentages they desire and they need. A lot of veterans don’t do that, but this will help them a lot, gives them all the information they need to get 100% disability hopefully and social security if needed,” he said.

For now, Barlow is hard at work planning for the event and is grateful for the new VA award.

“We believe that we’re better together. There is no way we can serve the number of veterans we have in our community with one organization,” she said.