With 64% of women veterans have one or more children, and of those that receive financial assistance, 52% are single parents. Every April, the nonprofit Foundation for Women Warriors not only focuses on the need of its women veterans, but also their children. So, now through May 31, Foundation for Women Warriors is calling on the country to help raise $250,000. in support of its 2024 Childcare Campaign.
Foundation for Women Warriors CEO Jodie Grenier said Women Warriors is turning 104 years old this year, that enhances both the personal and economic wellbeing of women veterans. Founded in 1920, it served war nurses, widows, and mothers of fallen service members.
“Basically, the community got together and saw that segment of the population was dying of poverty,” she said. “What was established then was the California Soldiers Widows Housing Association. They provided housing for these women at much reduced rate.”
Grenier said it held on to that property until the late 90s, wanting to expand its efforts to increase housing stability amongst that group. Fast forward to 2016, Grenier came into the program.
“More of the programs that we have today, they all focus on women veteran’s needs, and we provide emergency and transition services,” she said. “We provide emergency financial assistance, childcare assistance, and professional development. We also have a warehouse in the San Diego area where we distribute critical goods. Women are the fastest growing segment of the veteran population, but they also face a myriad of issues that put them at financial risk.”
Grenier said some women veterans have longer periods of unemployment as they transition from the military.
“They feel not recognized by the communities that they live in as veterans,” she said. “They also have higher rates of single parenting. Our programs address these issues and help women veterans overcome the challenges and go on to thrive and live successful post-military lives.”
Grenier said the Childcare Campaign addresses an overlooked issue in the veteran population.
“Especially women in the veteran population, and that is affordable childcare,” she said.
“Affordable and safe childcare is a national crisis, and here in California childcare costs 26% more higher than the national average. According to Health and Human Services, if you are paying above seven percent of your monthly income on childcare, that means you are paying too much. Most people are paying about 24% of their income on childcare,” she said.
This campaign is aimed at raising money to provide daycare for working and student veteran women, said Grenier.
“We can also provide camps during break. Spring break, summer break, holiday break,” she said. “When most people are thinking about going on vacation or spending time with family, for those transitioning out of the military, they must work. They do not have the vacation stored up or the ability to take non-paid time off. By us providing these critical components of childcare, we are investing in the success of both mom and child.”
Grenier said another component of the campaign is providing access to essential and critical goods.
“We also ensure these families do not go without necessities, like diapers, cribs, car seats, and strollers. By providing support for post-military childcare, addressing financial insecurity, and delivering resources that help children also adjust during the transition to civilian life, we ensure children thrive,” she said.
Grenier said it partners with various Veteran Affairs hospitals.
“We partner with the maternity department at the Jennifer Moreno Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center in San Diego to provide new and expecting mothers with cribs, car seats, baby shower items to help them and their new bundle of joy get off to bright beginning,” she said.
For more information, and to donate, visit www.foundationforwomenwarriors.org.
