Partnership, Collaboration: depend on partnerships with local housing Why Form a Partnership? authorities and private development firms to What is the Difference? provide shelter and transitional housing units for With a strong partnership, your organization may

their homeless clients. have access to more financial resources, tangible A legal partnership is a contractual relationship resources, people resources, licensed client involving close cooperation between two or more Collaborations are the most immediate, economical services, and professional expertise. Investors, parties having specified and joint rights and way to enhance the services an organization can such as foundations and government grants, will responsibilities. Each party has an equal share of offer homeless veterans. Gaining access to services be more likely to consider your program the risk as well as the reward. that are already provided by community-based proposals because more areas of need are

organizations and agencies is critical in containing A collaboration involves cooperation in which addressed and there is less duplication of services. costs while maximizing program benefits. Support parties are not necessarily bound contractually. organizations, in turn, can justify funding requests There is a relationship, but it is usually less formal based on services they offer to homeless veterans. How do you find and select a than a binding, legal contract and responsibilities partner? may not be shared equally. A collaboration exists Where to Find Vital Services when several people pool their common interests, • Define what your clients needs are (both assets and professional skills to promote broader The following is a list of services most homeless current and future). interests for the community’s benefit. The most veterans will need to regain control of their lives, • Determine what organizations currently have important thing to remember is: Organizations and where you should look in your community to resources you would like to provide to your don't collaborate – people collaborate. find them. clients. It is important to create and nurture both types of • Employment Assistance – The Department of • Look for organizations or groups that share an relationships to strengthen your organization and Labor stations veterans representatives at state alignment with your mission, vision, or enhance the services it provides. Not only does employment offices, One-Stop Career Centers, and objectives. that help your homeless clients, but it makes your many homeless veteran programs nationwide. • Look beyond traditional pairing, be creative in program more competitive when applying for Look in your local phone book blue pages under who you approach. Don’t be afraid to look at government grants and more attractive to “Employment.” nontraditional organizations such as faith based corporate and private funding sources. • Vocational Training – Many homeless service communities. You want your partnership to be

providers work with local employers and industries diverse and reflect the community in which you Why Collaboration is Essential to provide training and employment opportunities serve. for their clients. Have your board of directors use their influence Providing shelter or housing alone will not end • Veterans benefits counseling – Available • homelessness. Successful programs, those that through Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and leverage to make connections for your help individuals and families regain economic Regional Benefits Offices, community VET organization. independence, offer access to health care, Centers, Veteran Service Organizations, County substance abuse and mental health services, Veteran Service Officers (go to www.nchv.org and Organizations you should employment assistance, behavior and life skills click on “Resources” for contact information). counseling, financial assistance, legal aid, and contact: • Life skills and behavior counseling – Local follow-up case management support. colleges, the faith community, family crisis centers, • Community-based service providers Providing access to some services will require public school system adult programs, county health • Faith-based organizations and churches departments and local businesses may offer these legally binding contracts with providers – such as • Civic and fraternal organizations medical care and most substance abuse treatment services, or be willing to help develop them. • Veteran Service Organizations programs. The contracts specify which services • Mental health support – Contact your local are available, at what cost, how they will be paid health department, or check the National Alliance • Charitable organizations for, and limits to liabilities and other protections for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) website at • Local government service agencies for the parties involved. Some organizations www.nami.org to find services in your area.

Successful Partnership Factors Resources Effective

Environment • Continuum of Care – “A Place at the Table: • Look at the history of collaboration or Homeless Veterans and the Local Homeless Assistance Planning Networks” Community cooperation within the community, what has http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/homeless/library worked in the past. coc/index.cfm Collaboration • Connect with a group that is seen as a leader in the community to assist you in the process This guide is designed to help organizations • Make sure that the political/social climate is serving homeless veterans participate in homeless favorable, i.e. is it an election year? assistance program planning networks.

Membership Characteristics • Building Strategic Relationships: How to Extend your Organization’s Reach Through • All members must maintain mutual respect, Partnerships, Alliances,and Joint Ventures by understanding and trust. William Bergquist (Order from Jossey-Bass • Have an appropriate cross-section of members Publishers, 350 Sansome St., San Francisco, CA so that all of the community is represented 94101, 415-433-1767, www.josseybass.com.) ® equally. • The Collaboration Challenge: How Nonprofits • Members need to see the collaboration as a benefit to their self interest and Business Succeed through Strategic Alliances • All must be willing to compromise. by James Austin (Order from Jossey-Bass NATIONAL Publishers, 350 Sansome St., San Francisco, CA Process and Structure of the Group 94101, 415-433-1767, www.josseybass.com.) COALITION

• Members share a stake in both the process and • Collaboration: What Makes It Work, Amherst outcome. for H. Wilder Foundation (Order from the Publishing • There is a multi-layer check in the decision Center, 919 Lafond Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104, HOMELESS making process, one group does not possess too 800-274-6024, www.wilder.org.) much power. VETERANS • Flexibility to change with the community’s • Collaboration Handbook: Creating, Sustaining, needs. and Enjoying the Journey, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation (Order from the Publishing Center, • There is a clear understanding of roles and policy guidelines. 919 Lafond Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104, 800-274- 6024, www.wilder.org.) 333½ Pennsylvania Avenue, SE The group is able to adapt and change when • Washington, DC 20003-1148 needed. • Beyond Collaboration: Strategic Restructuring Phone: 202-546-1969/Fax: 202-546-2063 Toll free: 1-800-VET-HELP Communication of Nonprofit Organizations (booklet), published by the James Irvine Foundation and the National Fax 1-888-233-8582 • Established and closely maintained formal and Center for Nonprofit Boards. (For copies contact E-mail: [email protected] informal lines of communications. the James Irvine Foundation, One Market, Stuart Website: www.nchv.org • You want to make sure you create an Tower, Suite 2500, San Francisco, CA 94105,

environment in which all participants are 415-777-2244. encouraged to make contributions.