Dollar Tree expands long-standing partnership with national nonprofit to address critical financial and housing needs of veterans and their families
SAN ANTONIO, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- National nonprofit Operation Homefront and Dollar Tree are building upon their long-standing partnership to deliver even more life-changing impact for our nation's military families. Together, they welcomed Army Veteran Stephanie Mardy and her three children into the Transitional Homes for Veterans (THV) program in Fulshear, TX on Thursday, December 12.
Through Operation Homefront's THV program, the Mardy family will live for 2-3 years rent-free while working with a caseworker and financial counselor to gain knowledge on the home buying process, credit score improvement, debt payoff, emergency savings, and community engagement. Although the program is rent-free, families pay a monthly fee that will be refunded upon completion of the program – which is a significant down payment on a home of their own.
Immediately after high school, Stephanie Mardy enlisted in the Army in 2007 looking for an opportunity to build a meaningful career. She was one of eight children raised by immigrant parents and came to the United States as a young girl. She served in the Army for 15 years and worked in human resources, earning the rank of sergeant first class before medical retirement in 2022. Adjusting to civilian life has been difficult for her entire family. Texas is Stephanie's sixth move since joining the military, and her children have made five of those moves with her. This home will help Stephanie pave the path to home ownership and allow her family to build a strong sense of community.
Upon learning that she was selected for the THV program, Mardy said, "When a program like THV helps alleviate some of the financial stress, I can focus on my children more. This will put me on the path to financial stability and help me work toward giving my kids a forever home. This program will allow us to create a stable and secure future."
Military families face unique and complex financial challenges, particularly as they transition back to civilian life. This reality, coupled with current economic conditions, has resulted in many military families paying more than they can comfortably afford to cover housing and utility costs. In fact, a 2023 RAND Corporation study found that post-September 11, 2001 veterans experience greater Housing Cost Burden (defined as spending more than 30% of gross household income on housing) than non-veterans, "due, in part, to recent increases in housing and rent prices."
Looking to further address the critical needs faced by military families transitioning to civilian life, Dollar Tree expanded its partnership with Operation Homefront in 2024 to support the organization's Critical Financial Assistance program and THV program – including the purchase of this home, which will positively impact the multiple military families who will live in the home for years to come.
"I believe most Americans would agree it is a national tragedy when a military family – who has done so much on our behalf – faces financial challenges that leave them on the outside of the American dream looking in," says Brig. Gen. (ret.) Robert D. Thomas, President and COO of Operation Homefront. "I am honored Dollar Tree, who has long supported our important work, shares our commitment to helping this very special and deserving group of our fellow citizens reintegrate successfully into the civilian world. Together, we are helping them achieve their goals and giving them a real opportunity to thrive in the communities – OUR Communities – they have worked so hard to protect."
"Operation Homefront's life-changing programs serve as a gateway for stability, securing the economic well-being of military families and providing the care they need to thrive," said Jennifer Silberman, Chief Sustainability and Impact Officer, Dollar Tree, Inc. "We are honored to stand with Operation Homefront to address critical financial assistance, long-term stability, and recurring support needs of service members and their families."
In preparation for the Mardy family's entry into their THV home, local Dollar Tree and Family Dollar employee volunteers rolled up their sleeves alongside Operation Homefront staff to decorate and add personal touches – transforming the house into a welcoming home for the family.
Additional photos are available of both the "Stocking" the Home event and the Welcome to the Community Ceremony.
Dollar Tree has partnered with Operation Homefront since 2006 and with the generosity of its customer base and corporate donations, has provided over $180 million in cash and in-kind support to Operation Homefront programs including its annual Back-to-School Brigade® and Holiday Toy Drive®.
Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization whose programs and services provide relief and recurring family support throughout the year to help military families overcome short-term difficulties, so they don't become long-term hardships. Since the THV program began in 2018, 42 military families have saved over $1.7 million in housing costs. Of the 35 military families that have graduated from the program, almost all have purchased homes in or near their THV communities. To date, the Critical Financial Assistance program has fulfilled over 58,000 requests providing more than $43 million in financial assistance. Visit the Operation Homefront website to find out more about the program and view a list of homes currently open for application.
About Operation Homefront: Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so that they can thrive – not simply struggle to get by – in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 83 percent of Operation Homefront expenditures go directly to programs that support tens of thousands of military families each year. Operation Homefront provides critical financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing, and family support services to prevent short-term needs from turning into chronic, long-term struggles. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the support from thousands of volunteers, Operation Homefront proudly serves America's military families. For more information, visit OperationHomefront.org.
About Dollar Tree: Dollar Tree, a Fortune 200 Company, operated 16,590 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces as of November 2, 2024. Stores operate under the brands of Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree Canada. To learn more about the Company, visit http://www.DollarTree.com.
Media Contact
Erin Burgy, Operation Homefront, (469) 934-7131, [email protected], https://operationhomefront.org/
SOURCE Operation Homefront
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