SARANAC LAKE — The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Sept. 19 that Homeward Bound Adirondacks will be receiving $750,000 to support suicide prevention services for local veterans and their families.

The funding is being provided through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, authorized though the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act.

In announcing the award, the Veterans Administration said that it “is continuing its mission of preventing Veteran suicides by partnering with community organizations across the country.” Homeward Bound Adirondacks was one of 80 awardees nationwide.

Mark Moeller, chair of the HBA Board of Directors, expressed his appreciation to the VA on behalf of all North Country veterans. He also praised the efforts of Executive Director Valerie Ainsworth, who secured this grant based on the demonstrated success of HBA’s healing retreats in Adirondack forests, which are a key focus of the organization’s efforts.

“We are committed to making a difference in the lives of Veterans in our communities,” said Moeller. “I am proud of our team’s vision for improving our community and excited to see the outcomes that will result from this grant funding.”

Moeller noted that this VA grant will only to be used for services to veterans, including mobile crisis intervention, vet to vet outreach, case management, workshops and retreats focusing on reducing suicide by improving mental health. This grant is not for brick and mortar projects — HBA is developing a retreat center for which there is a separate capital campaign underway. The SGT Carlton A. Clark Veterans Center will be located along state Route 30 just south of Malone.

The SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Grant is a pilot, community-based grant program which will allow Homeward Bound Adirondacks to provide suicide prevention services to veterans in Franklin, Clinton, Essex and St. Lawrence counties. Homeward Bound Adirondacks is a community-based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization which is headquartered in Saranac Lake.

For more information on Homeward Bound Adirondacks, visit homewardboundadirondacks.org.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Dial 988 then press one, chat online at veteranscrisisline.net/chat, or text 838255.