Eli Lilly and Company Creates Entrepreneurial Opportunity For Formerly Homeless Veterans Community groups can apply for start-up funding for businesses that would employ veterans as they battle homelessness WASHINGTON, May 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In its continuing efforts to support organizations dedicated to homeless veterans issues, Eli Lilly and Company today announced the creation of a program that will give seed money to community-based organizations that put veterans in transition into jobs. Community-based organizations that serve homeless veterans are encouraged to apply for enterprise loans of up to $30,000 to start a vendor business in coffee carts or silk screening. These businesses will be staffed by veterans who are in transition after homelessness. The program is known as Job Assistance for Veterans' Advancement, or JAVA. "Lilly is dedicated to providing answers that matter to its customers and the communities it serves," said Josh Smiley, director of Lilly's Public Health Sector. "Bringing about employment and entrepreneurial opportunities is an answer for veterans who want to break the cycle of homelessness." Lilly's support for homeless veteran issues extends beyond the JAVA program. For the second consecutive year, Lilly will be honored with the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans' Outstanding Corporate Partner Award. The honor recognizes contributions from the business community in the campaign to end homelessness among America's veterans. The selection is based on the company's exemplary commitment and service to homeless veterans. Lilly's support of homeless veterans includes financial support for emergency and transitional housing, food, medical care, mental health services, substance abuse counseling and treatment and employment assistance for thousands of homeless veterans. Additionally, Lilly is a sponsor of the NCHV annual conference. NCHV will coordinate the national program and manage the business fund and the application process. "Together we can help veterans help themselves," said Linda Boone, NCHV executive director. "The transition process from being homeless or at risk of being homeless to a successful, independent or semi-independent individual is often measured by employment outcomes for these veterans. Finding an income- generating opportunity is critical to their long-term success." Local homeless veterans assistance organizations that are selected to receive JAVA funding will be asked to pay back the loan so the fund is self- perpetuating and can cover funding for more businesses in the future. The initial Lilly grant of $120,000 will cover four businesses in the first year. The Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation (HVAF) of central Indiana was selected to receive the first enterprise loan. HVAF President Charles Haenlein, who is also president of the NCHV, hopes to have the Indianapolis coffee cart running within the next six months. Lilly's world headquarters are located in Indianapolis. "We are grateful to companies like Lilly that provide hope to homeless veterans," Haenlein said. "Creating the first business in Indianapolis is a fitting tribute to a company that has provided so much for veterans." The JAVA program was modeled after a successful program begun in Upstate New York by Scott Murray, Ph.D., Director for Behavioral Health Care Services for the VA Network in Upstate New York. Nine carts have been implemented since the program began eight years ago. "We're very excited that the vision we had in New York for employment opportunities for veterans is finding life in a national program," said Murray. "We'll be providing guidance and support to ensure the program's success." Veterans selected to work with the program will be screened and selected by the Department of Veterans Affairs Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) Program. The CWT program seeks to maximize the functional status of veterans whose level of disability or impairment may preclude full-time employment, thereby enhancing their social stability and reducing their dependence on supportive services and hospitalization. The new program is the result of a partnership between the private sector, government and nonprofit organizations -- one that Lilly hopes will grow as more corporations join in the effort to find solutions to homelessness among veterans. Directors of veterans organizations who wish to apply for the JAVA program should contact Linda Boone at the NCHV, (800) VET-HELP. About Eli Lilly and Company Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers -- through medicines and information -- for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at http://www.lilly.com/ . About the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans was founded in 1990 by a group of veteran service providers in response to the growing number of homeless veterans who were coming into their facilities and the lack of resources to adequately provide services for them. NCHV's mission is to end homelessness among veterans by shaping public policy, promoting collaboration and building the capacity of service providers. Through its advocacy and leadership, NCHV has become recognized as the nation's leading authority on homeless veterans issues by several departments of the U.S. government, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, Labor and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO ) http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO DATASOURCE: Eli Lilly and Company; National Coalition for Homeless Veterans CONTACT: Katherine Coble, +1-317-631-6400, for Eli Lilly and Company; Janice Chavers of Eli Lilly and Company, +1-317-651-6253; or Linda Boone of National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, +1-202-546-1969

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