Veterans Benefits Outreach of America

What Veterans Benefits Outreach of America does

Veterans Outreach Center, Inc. (operating as Veterans Benefits Outreach of America) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1973 by returning Vietnam veterans in Rochester, NY, providing free comprehensive services to military veterans and their families across Western New York and the Finger Lakes region. The organization operates as a one-stop hub delivering ten core programs: Workforce Development (career construction, skilled-trade training via Forged by Valor and RIT CEMA, employer connections), Health & Wellness (behavioral health, suicide prevention, peer support, fitness, the Steve Preston Peer Connection Center, Morale Center), the Quartermaster food/clothing/hygiene pantry, a Residential Program across three facilities (Richards House emergency shelter, Otto's Phoenix House for female veterans and children, Liberty Landing long-term supportive housing), Supportive Services (care management, female veteran program, free bus passes), Legal Resources (Veterans Treatment Court and Lawyer for a Day), Vets With Pets, and Scholarships. Services are delivered via walk-in access at the 447 South Ave. headquarters, on-site hosted partner organizations (RochesterWorks, Veterans Upward Bound, NYS Department of Veterans' Services, JustCause), and a mobile intake platform built on Social Solutions Apricot.

The underlying technology stack is light and operationally focused rather than differentiated: Social Solutions Apricot provides case management and client tracking, while the HereNow Help mobile application extends peer support and crisis access. No proprietary AI, ML, or data platforms are evident. Distribution is primarily physical (walk-in model across the six-county service area, with RTS partnership bus passes extending access to seven counties) and supplemented by digital channels (website, social media, The Rally Point newsletter, The Briefing Room blog, SITREP magazine).

The revenue model is a diversified nonprofit funding stack: individual donations (including the Support Force monthly giving program), corporate sponsorships (Bank of America, Pepsi, L3Harris, Wegmans, Community Bank), foundation grants (Bob Woodruff Foundation, New York Health Foundation, William & Sheila Konar Foundation), government contracts (USDA, NYS Office of General Services, federal grants), planned giving (bequests, annuities, charitable trusts, IRA QCDs), and corporate matching gift programs. All services are provided at no cost to veterans, with no eligibility restrictions based on discharge status or era of service. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed; leadership operates under Executive Director Laura Heltz (since September 2017) with a Board of Directors chaired by Don Reeve (appointed January 2026).

Name

Veterans Benefits Outreach of America

Legal name

Veterans Outreach Center, Inc.

Website

https://veteransoutreachcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Veterans Outreach Center, Inc. is a Rochester, NY-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1973 that provides free, comprehensive services, including housing, workforce development, health and wellness, legal aid, and basic necessities, to military veterans and their families across Western New York and the Finger Lakes region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Support Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services (BPAIAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Veterans & Military Family Benefits Administration (BPAIAKAI), Veterans & Military-to-Civilian Transition Programs (EDAAAOAH)

Keywords

• Veteran support services
• Veteran housing assistance
• Veteran workforce development
• Veteran behavioral health
• Nonprofit veteran advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct monetary contributions from individuals supporting veteran services, including monthly giving program (Support Force), one-time gifts, and stock donations
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Business sponsorships for annual events and programs including Golf Fore Vets, Flag Day, Stars & Stripes Celebration, and Six Strong Challenge
3. Foundation Grants: Funding from foundations including Bob Woodruff Foundation, William & Sheila Konar Foundation, and New York Health Foundation
4. Government Contracts: Support from government sources including USDA (food pantry), NYS Office of General Services (legal program), and federal grants for veteran services
5. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts including bequests, gift annuities, charitable trusts, IRA qualified charitable distributions, vehicle donations, and real estate gifts
6. Corporate Matching Gifts: Employee donation matching programs from employers including Bank of America, L3 Harris, Wegmans, and others

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Veterans Benefits Outreach of America (operating as Veterans Outreach Center, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides a free, comprehensive suite of direct services to military veterans and their families in the Rochester, NY region. Its core offering is an integrated one-stop portfolio spanning workforce development, health and wellness, residential housing, supportive services, legal resources, and basic-needs assistance (food, clothing, hygiene), delivered at no cost to individual veterans regardless of discharge status or era of service.

Product overview

Veterans Outreach Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization providing a comprehensive, one-stop portfolio of free veteran services. The organization operates as a platform of interconnected programs rather than a single product, serving veterans and their families in the Rochester, NY area. Core offerings include Workforce Development for career advancement, Health & Wellness Programs spanning behavioral health and fitness, the Quartermaster for basic necessities, Residential Program housing across three facilities, Supportive Services including care management and transportation, Legal Resources through court and consultation programs, Vets With Pets, Scholarships for education, the Steve Preston Peer Connection Center, and Morale Center wellness services. All programs are provided at no cost to veterans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Workforce Development Comprehensive career services helping veterans prepare for civilian employment through job search support, skills training, certifications, and employer connections across industries including administration, healthcare, IT, manufacturing, and public safety. Includes partnerships such as Forged by Valor welding training and RIT Center for Electronics Manufacturing and Assembly (CEMA) electronics certification.
• Health & Wellness Programs Comprehensive physical, mental, and emotional health services including behavioral health, suicide prevention, peer support groups, fitness center, HereNow Help mobile peer support and crisis line, and wellness activities such as meditation, hiking, and art therapy.
• Quartermaster Free food pantry, clothing, and hygiene items provided to veterans and their families at no cost, operating as a completely free on-site resource hub (6,653 visits in 2025), funded in part by the Bob Woodruff Foundation.
• Residential Program Emergency, transitional, and permanent supportive housing including Richards House (male veterans), Otto's Phoenix House (female veterans and children), and Liberty Landing (long-term supportive housing), all with case management.
• Supportive Services Care management, female veteran program, and free bus passes connecting veterans to transportation for employment, healthcare, and services across Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Livingston, Wayne, and Genesee Counties.
• Legal Resources Veterans Treatment Court program offering alternatives to traditional criminal justice for non-violent charges, and monthly Lawyer for a Day legal consultations through partnerships with JustCause and Monroe County Bar Association.
• Vets With Pets Program supporting the bond between veterans and their animals through community outings, pet supplies, educational events, and veterinary care connections.
• Scholarships Educational and skilled-trade scholarships for veterans and their families including Forged by Valor welding school, University of Rochester military benefits, MERIT scholarship, and other financial aid programs.
• Steve Preston Peer Connection Center After-hours peer support facility open 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week offering fitness center access, morale center, and mental health service navigation.
• Morale Center Wellness space offering fitness center access, laundry facilities, barber/salon services, massage therapy, and reiki services to support veteran well-being.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6,653 Quartermaster visits, 3,907 Health & Wellness participations, 608 Buddy Checks, multiple veteran housing placements and employment outcomes in 2025

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RochesterWorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComprehensive employment services partnership providing job search assistance, resume writing, interview preparation, and skills training for veterans seeking civilian careers.
• Veterans Upward BoundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederally funded program hosted on-site to help veterans prepare for postsecondary education, offering academic instruction, career counseling, and financial aid navigation.
• New York State Department of Veterans' ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterans Benefits Advisors available on-site to assist with applications for state and federal benefits including compensation, pensions, healthcare, and more at no cost.
• JustCause / Monroe County Bar Association Veterans CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing free legal consultations for veterans on civil legal matters through Lawyer for a Day program offered monthly at VOC.
• Regional Transit Service (RTS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing free bus passes to veterans for transportation to job interviews, medical appointments, and other essential resources across seven counties.
• Forged by ValorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFully funded welding training program for veterans in partnership with VOC, eliminating financial barriers to high-value career training.
• RIT Center for Electronics Manufacturing and Assembly (CEMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing free training in through hole and surface mount electronics assembly, soldering, and electronic assemblies certification through Rochester Works! and VOC.
• Monroe Community College Veteran Services OfficeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership assisting military students and dependents with admissions, financial aid, advisement, and VA educational benefits.
• University of Rochester Military BenefitsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYellow Ribbon school partnership providing tuition and mandatory fees coverage for veterans with Post-9/11 GI Bill at 100% level.
• Folds of HonorminorOthersEducational scholarship provider for spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders.
• Midvale Country ClubminorOthersVenue partner for Golf Fore Vets annual tournament.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Swords to Plowshares: Bay Area veteran services nonprofit providing housing, employment, and benefits advocacy. Directly comparable service mix to VOC but operating in a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA (Veterans Services): Large national faith-based nonprofit delivering housing, behavioral health, and supportive services including veteran-specific programs. Comparable service model at significantly larger institutional scale.

Direct peers

• Vietnam Veterans of America: National VSO founded by and for Vietnam-era veterans; offers benefits assistance, advocacy, and community programs. Closely aligned to VOC's Vietnam-veteran founding heritage and service breadth.
• US VETS: Largest nonprofit provider of housing and services for homeless and at-risk veterans. Comparable to VOC's Richards House/Otto's Phoenix House/Liberty Landing continuum.
• Wounded Warrior Project: National 501(c)(3) providing direct services, programs, and advocacy for post-9/11 wounded veterans. Comparable in mission and free service delivery model, though at national scale versus VOC's regional footprint.
• Soldier On: Nonprofit serving veterans with housing, employment, and healthcare needs across multiple states. Comparable housing-plus-services continuum to VOC's residential program.
• DAV (Disabled American Veterans): Veterans service organization delivering benefits navigation, employment support, and advocacy to disabled veterans. Directly comparable to VOC on benefits advocacy and employment pathways.
• Volunteers of America: National nonprofit network delivering housing, workforce, behavioral health, and veteran-specific services. Directly comparable across housing, employment, and supportive services models.

Emerging players

• Team Red White & Blue: Veteran service organization focused on veteran connection and wellness through physical and social activity. Comparable to VOC's peer-support, fitness, and outdoor recreation programs.
• America's Warrior Partnership: Ecosystem-focused nonprofit supporting veteran-serving organizations and community coalitions. Adjacent to VOC but emphasizes coalition-building rather than direct service delivery.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vocroc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@VOCROC1973/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/vocroc1973
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/veterans-outreach-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/voc_roc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Benefits Outreach of America