The Veterans Leadership Program Supports Local Heroes

Each November, the United States celebrates Veterans Day on Nov. 11. There are multiple organizations that work to support veterans and their families. The Veterans Leadership Program has been recognized nationally as an organization that helps to prevent veteran homelessness, as well as provide supportive services to maintain veteran well-being and career development through a comprehensive system. Their wellness program creates a path to wellness tailored to individual veterans, and they can offer some type of assistance in almost every area of a veteran’s life. With a strong board of directors and a lean leadership team, they are filling gaps in veteran services in our area.

Toshua Jarrett

North Hills Monthly spoke with Toshua Jarrett, a veteran and the chief development officer for the Veterans Leadership Program, to explore the ways this nonprofit is improving the lives of veterans in Western Pennsylvania.

North Hills Monthly (NHM): Tell us how and when the Veterans Leadership Program came into existence and how it has changed since its inception.

Toshua Jarrett (Jarrett): In 1982, the mills were closing. Manufacturing jobs were disappearing. Many veterans were out of work and out of hope. It was at this time that Vietnam veterans took it upon themselves to step up as leaders and provide job assistance and supportive services to their peers who were displaced in the changing economy. They named it the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program (VVLP).

During the Reagan administration, the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program had offices in all 50 states. To this day, only two remain, including our organization and an organization in Texas. In 1993, the Veterans Leadership Program (VLP) expanded its job search and career counseling program into the Pennsylvania Laurel Highlands area by opening an office in Johnstown, which is currently located in the Hiram G. Andrews Center.

In 2005, the Pittsburgh office moved to the South Side and changed the organization’s name to Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania to show that all veterans are welcome. For the past 40 years, VLP has fulfilled its mission of empowering veterans and their families navigating transitions, regardless of era of war, Veterans Affairs (VA) eligibility, or discharge status.

Our service coordinators work one-on-one with veterans to assess their situations and create goals that lead to self-sufficiency and financial sustainability. In August 2016, VLP moved its offices to the Strip District to accommodate its growth over the last decade. In 2022, VLP expanded its career development and housing programs into the Erie Veterans Administration (VA) catchment area by opening an office in Erie, currently located at 406 West Eighth St., Erie, PA 16502. In 2026, we will move our headquarters to Braddock, PA.

NHM: What is your mission and what are some of the ways that you serve veterans and their families in our area?

Jarrett: Veterans Leadership Program’s mission is to empower veterans navigating the transitions of life. The vision of VLP is that every veteran of the United States military reaches their fullest potential as citizens of the nation that they have so proudly served.

If you’ve served in the military and you’re in need of assistance, the Veterans Leadership Program is here to help. From housing and career development to wellness and supportive services, our passion is helping veterans reach their fullest potential.

NHM: Why does it continue to be important to support the citizens who have served in our country’s military?

Jarrett: Only 1% of the population has ever served in the military, and at any time, a veteran can stumble on an obstacle where they are facing an eviction or a utility shutoff. VLP is here to provide each veteran with that assistance, as well as set them up for financial success in the future.

NHM: What does the organization mean by “empowering veterans to navigate the transitions of life”?

Jarrett: The Veterans Leadership Program provides the resources necessary for local veterans to navigate any transition they might be facing in the civilian sector. Not only are we able to provide emergency financial assistance, but we provide case management and the tools that veterans need so that they can reach their fullest potential.

NHM: Approximately how many veterans have you helped over the years?

Jarrett: Approximately 8,000 veterans annually, throughout 30 counties in Western and Central Pennsylvania.

NHM: How does your board of directors guide your organization and help VLP fulfill its mission?

Jarrett: VLP’s board of directors guides our organization by providing strategic pathways to enhance our mission and programming among local veterans.

One of the many veterans VLP has helped

NHM: How is VLP funded? How can our readers contribute to VLP? Is VLP a registered nonprofit and are donations tax deductible?

Jarrett: Veterans Leadership Program is 65% federally funded. We rely heavily on securing the additional 35% of funding through private donations, foundations, corporations, and events that the development department puts together throughout the year.

Many of our federal grants are extremely restrictive on how and who we can serve. VLP takes pride in the fact that we serve all veterans regardless of their branch of service, the era they served in, their discharge status, or their Veterans Administration eligibility, which makes that 35% critical.

We also realize that we could not do this work without the support of volunteers. Involvement opportunities include donation sorting in our Pittsburgh and Johnstown offices, monthly food distributions, career development partnerships, corporate volunteer days, and veteran mentorship.

VLP is a registered nonprofit, and our EIN is 25-1434643.

NHM: What would you like our readers to know about veterans this Veterans Day?

Jarrett: Veterans Day is important because it honors all veterans for their service and the sacrifices they have made during their time in the military.

VLP will be hosting our 27th annual Veterans Day Breakfast at Duquesne University on Tuesday, Nov. 11. For more information, visit https://www.classy.org/event/2025-veterans-day-breakfast-celebration/e729663.