Jacksonville, Fla. – Jaguars President Mark Lamping joined Mayor Lenny Curry today to announce the 2017 recipients of the Jacksonville Resource and Reintegration Center community grants. For the fourth consecutive year, the Jaguars Foundation and the City of Jacksonville awarded $50,000 to six veteran-serving organizations throughout the community to assist in their ongoing efforts to support military and veterans in Northeast Florida. These grants are funded through the Jaguars $1 million commitment to the City of Jacksonville's Military Affairs and Veterans department.

"We are proud that so many veterans choose to make Northeast Florida their home and that the Jacksonville Resource and Reintegration Center provides the comprehensive support needed in helping make the transition to civilian life," said Lamping.  "The work that these recipient organizations undertake each and every day to support our local veterans is vital to the strength of our community."

The grants will support these six organizations and the following work:

·        Community Hospice & Palliative Care – Provides flags and appreciation pins to honor the military service of veterans in Hospice end-of-life care.
·        Five Star Veterans Center – Supports mental health services for veterans while staying at Five Star Veterans Center residence.
·        Florida National Guard Foundation – Offers emergency financial assistance for Guardsmen.
·        K9s For Warriors – Supports the construction of an enclosed training facility for service dogs to minimize the delays in training due to inclement weather.
·        Northeast Florida Women Veterans, Inc. – Provides comprehensive services for female veterans including employment workshops, counseling and emergency services.
·        Operation New Uniform               -- Provides for five $1,000 scholarships to be awarded to new cohort participants in their career readiness program, helping veterans transition to civilian employment.

The Jaguars Foundation is currently in year four of a five-year, $1 million commitment to the City of Jacksonville's Military Affairs and Veterans department.  In addition to funding the Veterans Resource and Reintegration Center at City Hall, the Jaguars Foundation annually contributes $50,000 in grants to local nonprofit organizations to help the center's clients receive additional support such as emergency financial assistance, career assistance and military spouse and family support.  To date, more than $150,000 in grants has been provided to various organizations throughout the First Coast.