Hyannis, MA – The Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center (CIVOC) is honored to announce that it has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, serving Nantucket, Dukes, and Barnstable Counties.
This award is part of the VA’s $818 million nationwide investment in Fiscal Year 2026 to prevent and end Veteran homelessness. CIVOC is one of 235 organizations nationwide selected to receive this critical funding, underscoring its role as a cornerstone of support for local Veterans and their families.
“This funding is more than a grant—it is a lifeline,” said James Seymour, Executive Director of CIVOC. “It allows us to expand housing support, provide emergency services, and connect Veterans across Cape Cod and the Islands with life-saving resources. Our Veterans have given so much, and it is our duty to ensure that none are left without a safe place to call home. This grant ensures that more Veterans across Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and Cape Cod can move forward with the stability and resources they deserve.”
Through the SSVF program, CIVOC will expand its capacity to deliver housing stability, rapid rehousing, emergency financial assistance, and case management services tailored to the needs of Veterans and their families. This investment reflects both the proven impact of CIVOC’s work and the deepening need for comprehensive Veteran services in the region.
“Supportive services like childcare, housing counseling, and financial planning can be important catalysts for preventing or resolving homelessness,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “These grants will help bring crucial support to thousands of Veterans in need across the nation.”
For over 42 years, the Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center has been dedicated to serving the unique needs of local Veterans, offering food security, housing services, mental health counseling, and community-based resources. This transformative VA grant will enable CIVOC to strengthen its outreach and deepen its commitment to ensuring that every Veteran has the dignity, independence, and stability they deserve.
CIVOC is a tax-deductible, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It was founded in 1983 by a group of Vietnam Veterans who did not find the services and programs they needed to transition back to their communities anywhere in our region successfully. Ever since then, we have been an indispensable veteran services provider across the region. Building on the legacy that our founders over 40 years ago, we offer multiple comprehensive support services that empower veterans to achieve independence with dignity and respect, including 13 monthly food pantries across Cape Cod and on Martha’s Vineyard, a new Food Distribution Center, transportation service for veterans, professional counseling, and transitional housing.
To learn more about CIVOC’s mission, areas of impact, funding policy and annual reports, visit our website at www.capeveterans.com.