Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania

What Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania does

Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania (VOPA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018/2019 (firmographic records show 2018; IRS/governance records show 2019) and headquartered at 1105 South Front Street, Harrisburg, PA. Its mission is to combat homelessness among U.S. military veterans by providing transitional housing, wraparound supportive services, and pathways to permanent housing, employment, and benefits. The organization serves single veterans from all military branches — including those with PTSD, substance use disorders, and chronic homelessness — primarily in the south-central Pennsylvania / Capital Region market, where the 2024 Point-in-Time count identified 135 homeless veterans (34 in Dauphin County alone).

VOPA's core product is the Veterans Grove Residential Tiny Home Program, a purpose-built village of 15 ADA-compliant tiny homes (210 sq ft each) surrounding the 6,000–6,500 sq ft UPMC Pinnacle Foundation Patriots Place Community Center, situated on a five-acre parcel along the Susquehanna River. Service delivery follows the Therapeutic Community (TC) model — an evidence-based approach emphasizing intensive engagement, extended duration of care, and peer-to-peer support — and is operationalized through a portfolio of supporting services: case management, healthcare navigation, income development and financial literacy, peer support, technology literacy, life skills development, and basic needs assistance. The facility opened June 10, 2024; the first two participants graduated Phase 1 in August 2024, and one veteran (Ron) graduated the full program in December 2024.

The business model is donation-dependent. VOPA is funded through a mix of individual donations (including the 15 for 15 monthly giving campaign at $15/month and a brick sponsorship program), corporate and foundation grants (M&T Charitable Foundation, UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, and 10+ regional family foundations such as the H.B. Alexander and John Crain Kunkel foundations), government funding (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Dauphin County DCED), planned giving vehicles (QCDs, charitable trusts, bequests, appreciated securities), and signature fundraising events (Evening of Gratitude gala, Red White and Blue Golf Scramble, Orville Staudt Memorial Golf Outing). Approximately $4 million was raised over three years to build Veterans Grove. All services are provided free of charge to veterans, and the organization holds 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, Candid Gold Seal of Transparency, and GuideStar Platinum Seal. The co-founder and Immediate Past Chair is Tom Zimmerman, who led the capital campaign; the current Executive Director (since July 2025) is Jordan Purcell, a 23-year Army National Guard veteran.

Name

Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania

Legal name

Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania

Website

https://veteransoutreachofpa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania is a Harrisburg-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates Veterans Grove, a 15-tiny-home village and community center providing transitional housing and wraparound services to veterans experiencing homelessness in south-central Pennsylvania.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Homelessness Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Senior & Transitional Monthly Housing (THAMAFAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Veteran homelessness services
• Transitional housing programs
• Therapeutic community model
• Tiny home villages
• Supportive veteran services

Headquarters

HQ city

Harrisburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible contributions from individuals supporting the nonprofit mission to combat veteran homelessness. Includes one-time donations, monthly giving through the 15 for 15 campaign ($15/month), and brick sponsorship.
2. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Grants from corporate foundations (e.g., M&T Charitable Foundation $30,000 grant) and private foundations including H.B. Alexander Foundation, John Crain Kunkel Foundation, Joseph T. & Helen M. Simpson Foundation, and others.
3. Government Funding: Funding from government sources including Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Dauphin County DCED.
4. Planned Giving: Charitable planned giving strategies including bequests, beneficiary designations on life insurance/retirement accounts, qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from IRAs, charitable trusts, and donations of appreciated securities.
5. Fundraising Events: Signature events including An Evening of Gratitude gala, Red White and Blue Golf Scramble, Orville Staudt Memorial Golf Outing, and other community fundraising activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania operates Veterans Grove, a purpose-built tiny home village of 15 ADA-compliant homes surrounding a 6,500 sq ft community center on a five-acre parcel in south Harrisburg, PA. The organization provides transitional housing, case management, healthcare navigation, peer support, and wraparound supportive services free of charge to veterans experiencing homelessness using a Therapeutic Community model.

Product overview

Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania (VOPA) operates a unified housing and supportive services program centered on Veterans Grove, a village of 15 tiny homes adjacent to the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation Patriots Place Community Center. The core product is the Residential Tiny Home Program, which provides transitional housing with wraparound supportive services. The program delivers comprehensive care through multiple service modules including case management, healthcare navigation, peer support, technology literacy, financial literacy, life skills development, and basic needs assistance. VOPA also communicates with stakeholders through a quarterly newsletter. All services are delivered through a therapeutic community model designed to promote healing, independence, and reintegration into stable civilian life.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Veterans Grove Residential Tiny Home Program A transitional housing program featuring 15 ADA-compliant tiny homes (210 sq ft each) surrounding a community center for veterans experiencing homelessness, designed to meet individual veteran needs through a therapeutic community model.
• UPMC Pinnacle Foundation Patriots Place Community Center A 6,500 square foot community center anchoring the village with a large kitchen, dining room, laundry facilities, counseling and therapeutic rooms, and administrative offices to provide a full continuum of care.
• Case Management Services Personalized service plans that guide veterans' progress across housing, healthcare, employment, legal needs, mental health, and substance use disorder treatment.
• Healthcare Navigation Services One-on-one support with benefits education, appointment scheduling, care coordination, and access to specialized services including mental health and chronic care.
• Income Development and Financial Literacy Career planning, job readiness training, employment placement, career coaching, and practical financial education in budgeting, banking, credit management, and long-term planning.
• Peer Support Services One-on-one peer mentoring, self-help groups, and emotional support from staff with lived experience, focused on guidance, accountability, and resilience-building.
• Technology Literacy Services Hands-on training in basic computer use, smartphones, internet navigation, and common software applications with personalized support and access to equipment.
• Basic Needs Services Emergency shelter, daily meals, clothing, hygiene supplies, and referrals to ongoing care and resources.
• Life Skills Development Services Training in communication, time management, decision-making, and relationship-building through workshops, coaching, and hands-on learning.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2 veterans graduated Phase 1 in first cohort (August 2024)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Scouts BSA Troop 368minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 October 2025Eagle Scout Edan Olsen built a 12' x 16' storage shed for the Veterans Grove community to store donated clothes, paper products, and other supplies.
• UPMC Pinnacle FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor naming partner of the Patriots Place Community Center (6,500 sq ft) at Veterans Grove. UPMC Pinnacle Foundation donated telemedicine equipment to support healthcare services for veterans. Marc Migala, Director for Veteran Care Services at UPMC Central PA, serves on VOPA's Board of Directors, providing healthcare coordination expertise.
• Cumberland County Veteran AffairsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to help veterans obtain service connection for disabilities. Veterans have successfully obtained 100% service connection through this partnership.
• Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCulinary students donate time and talent. Veterans in the program can pursue degrees at HACC, such as the veteran who is working toward a degree in human services.
• Local Businesses and CorporationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of support providing wraparound services, employment opportunities, donations, and professional expertise to address individual veteran needs and help reduce reliance on VOPA alone.
• Healthcare FacilitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with healthcare providers to offer mental health services, substance use treatment, primary care, and specialized services for veterans.
• Community Groups, Educational Institutions, and NonprofitsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative network providing wraparound support services to address comprehensive needs of each veteran participant.
• TE ConnectivityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer spotlight partner providing volunteer support and engagement with the Veterans Grove community.
• DeloitteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer team that transformed a wall at Veterans Grove through painting project to improve facility appearance.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Veterans Community Project: Veteran-focused nonprofit that builds tiny home villages for homeless veterans in Kansas City, St. Louis, and other cities. Operates the most directly comparable village-based residential model to VOPA's Veterans Grove, employing similar wraparound case management and peer-support services.
• U.S. Vets: The largest national nonprofit dedicated to preventing and ending veteran homelessness, operating transitional and permanent housing programs across multiple states. Comparable to VOPA in mission and target population, with similar case management and workforce development offerings.
• Swords to Plowshares: San Francisco-based nonprofit serving veterans experiencing homelessness with transitional housing, supportive services, and benefits navigation. Closely comparable to VOPA on the integration of housing plus clinical/case management for veterans.
• Soldier On: Massachusetts-based nonprofit providing transitional and permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans, with a particular focus on those suffering from PTSD, TBI, and substance use disorders. Operates the same veteran housing-plus-services archetype as VOPA.
• Combined Arms: Houston-based nonprofit providing transitional housing and comprehensive wraparound services for veterans transitioning to civilian life. Strong operational parallel to VOPA's integrated housing-plus-care model.
• National Veterans Foundation: California-based national nonprofit offering crisis intervention, housing referrals, and outreach services for homeless and at-risk veterans. Comparable to VOPA in serving the same veteran population through social services and housing navigation.

Broad incumbents

• Volunteers of America: Large national human services nonprofit that administers Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) and operates veteran housing programs nationwide. Comparable to VOPA in target population and service categories but operates across many program verticals, not specialized on village housing.
• Operation Homefront: National nonprofit providing emergency assistance, transitional housing, and financial support to military families and veterans. Broader scope than VOPA but operates overlapping programs in veteran housing stabilization and financial assistance.
• Wounded Warrior Project: Large national nonprofit serving post-9/11 veterans with a focus on physical and mental health, including program pillars that address housing insecurity. Operates an extensive grants portfolio and warrior outreach network analogous to VOPA's C-suite volunteer and foundation ecosystem.

Others

• Bob Woodruff Foundation: National nonprofit foundation funding community-based programs serving veterans, including those addressing veteran homelessness. Functions as a peer in the veteran services philanthropy landscape that VOPA competes with for foundation grants and donor share.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/VeteransOutreachPA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/veterans-outreach-of-pennsylvania

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania