When it comes to honoring veterans, Jericho Project is putting in the work—and now they’ve got the backing to keep that mission rolling strong. The nonprofit, which has been ending homelessness in New York for more than four decades, just locked in a $340,000 New York City Council Discretionary Grant for Fiscal Year 2026 to renew its Veterans Initiative.
This isn’t just another “thank you for your service” moment. It’s about real, tangible support—roofs over heads, steady jobs, and the kind of wraparound services that give our veterans a shot at a stable, dignified life.
Credit where it’s due: Council Members Pierina Sanchez, Robert Holden, and Inna Vernikov made it happen, filling funding gaps so Jericho can keep serving the more than 700 veterans they work with every year. Sanchez represents the Bronx neighborhoods where three of Jericho’s veteran residences stand tall, while Holden—Chair of the NYC Council Committee on Veterans—and Vernikov stepped up as key allies.
“Our veterans risked everything to defend our freedoms, and we owe them more than just gratitude—we owe them action,” Holden said.
Jericho’s Veterans Initiative didn’t just appear overnight. It launched 20 years ago when troops were coming home from Iraq, building on the nonprofit’s history of helping Vietnam vets transition back into civilian life. Today, it’s a lifeline that spans:
- Permanent supportive housing in the Bronx and Queens, with four dedicated veterans residences.
- Employment services through the Workforce Opportunities program, connecting vets with real job prospects citywide.
- Homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing, supporting over 400 veteran households each year.
- Wraparound care like mental health counseling, healthcare coordination, benefits navigation, and even help securing DD-214s for VA eligibility.
The numbers don’t lie: Jericho’s approach costs about $18,000 per person annually—a fraction of what the city spends on shelters, jail cells, or hospital beds. And unlike a shelter cot, Jericho housing comes with a key, a lease, and a sense of control over one’s own life.
CEO Tori Lyon summed it up best: “Thanks to this funding, we can continue our pledge to help veterans of all ages lead happier, more fulfilled lives.”
Forty-two years in, Jericho Project is still proving that smart investment and compassion can move the needle. This grant isn’t just about dollars—it’s about keeping a promise to those who’ve worn the uniform.
For more info, visit jerichoproject.org or follow @jerichoproject1983.
Retired U.S. Army Combat Veteran | NAHJ Member | Writer | Cultural Advocate
I’m Daniel Crespo-Montero Sr., although many know me as El Indio Gordo. I’m the Managing Editor of OMG Magazine, a retired U.S. Army combat veteran, a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), and a writer with a passion for culture, community, and storytelling.
My journey hasn’t exactly followed a traditional path, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I spent more than three decades in the U.S. Army, working in military law enforcement, paralegal services, and human resources. I also hold a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Spanish and an Associate degree in Small Business Entrepreneurship. Those experiences have shaped how I understand people, leadership, and the world around me.
As a proud Boricua with Indigenous Taíno roots, cultural preservation is especially important to me. Within the Higuayagua Taíno community, I’ve served in several leadership roles and currently serve as Pennsylvania’s Regional Kasike and Bahari for Atunwa.
My community involvement has also included serving as a New York City Ambassador for the National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce. I’m also a former Boy Scout and proud Scout dad.
As Managing Editor, I enjoy exploring entertainment, lifestyle, food and beverages, travel, business, and culture. I believe journalism should inform, entertain, challenge perspectives, and give a voice to stories that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Beyond the magazine, I’m a father, grandfather, cultural advocate, and independent writer who enjoys sharing observations, experiences, and occasionally a little humor.
I certainly don’t know everything, but I’m always willing to learn something new. And if something catches my attention, chances are I’ll have a few words to share about it.
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