Mission
Operation First Response serves wounded, injured and critically ill active duty Service Members, Disabled Veterans, First Responders and Gold Star families with personal and financial needs. Services are provided from the onset of injury, throughout their recovery period and along their journey from service life into the civilian world. Financial aid varies as each case is based on individual needs ranging from rent, utilities, vehicle payments, groceries, clothing, and travel expenses.
Ruling year
2005
President/CEO
Mrs. Peggy Baker
Main address
20037 Dove Hill Rd
Culpeper, VA 22701 USA
EIN
20-1622436
NTEE code
Military/Veterans' Organizations (W30)
Travelers' Aid (P61)
Victims' Services (P62)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
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Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Thanks to advances in protective technologies and battlefield medicine more of our Heroes are surviving combat. However, once home many are struggling with the wounds of battle, both visible and invisible – which can contribute to the risk of suicide. The suicide rate has reached unprecedented numbers since 2013 statistics have shown that Military suicides have exceeded combat deaths from Iraq and Afghanistan. That is a daunting fact and the heartbreaking reality of suicide is that it is a permanent solution to a temporary issue and only leaves a trail of broken hearts that spans generations. While attempting to manage their recovery/transition into the civilian world, they are entered into a backlogged and broken system. The complex VA process can take over a year or more leaving them to deal with the horrors of war and the inability to provide for their families.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Family Assistance Program
Our Family Assistance Program was developed with the main purpose of alleviating the financial difficulties facing a wounded Hero’s family. We serve all branches of the military and all conflicts. We serve Disabled Veterans, Gold Star families and First Responders. We provide personal and financial services from the onset of the injury or illness, throughout the recovery period and along their journey into their civilian community.
Our services include financial support for the basics like groceries, clothing, mortgage, rent, utilities, and vehicle payments. The things that we take for granted are not so easy for our Heroes and their families.
Without the worry of having the electricity or gas shut off, or whether there is enough money to buy food for the children, our Heroes can concentrate on their recovery with a brighter hope for the future.
The Last Mission Project PTSD The Battle On and Off the Field
OFR provides financial aid to combat Veterans and First Responders suffering from PTSD that attend in-house counseling and therapy treatment to gain the skills needed to cope with the symptoms they experience. Many must make the decision between their family finances and receiving this needed therapy.
OFR Backpack Program
OFR sends backpacks to wounded service members located at combat support hospitals in theatre. These backpacks are filled with a set of clothing, hygiene products, a handmade blanket, and a phone card and sent to a POC to be given to our wounded upon arrival. These items enable our wounded to have some personal items considering many have their uniforms cut off on the battlefield and it may take weeks for personal items to be returned.
OFR also provides Hygiene bags to Veteran Food Shelters and Veteran Homeless Shelters.
Where we work
Awards
Newman's Own Award 2007
Fisher House
Newman's Own Award 2008
Fisher House
External reviews
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of clients served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Military personnel, Veterans, People with disabilities, Emergency responders
Related Program
Family Assistance Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic Operation First Response chose to assist with a larger amount to make a larger difference in the families that we served bringing the number of served in down slightly.
Number of clients who report that services/supports are available when needed, even in a crisis
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Caregivers, Families, Veterans
Related Program
Family Assistance Program
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Totals for each year are broken out by percentage of surveys received and rated very good by Veterans served.
Number of phone calls/inquiries
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Emergency responders, Military personnel, Veterans
Related Program
Family Assistance Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
We are small staffed and to assist with the rising needs we have directed phone callers to our website for the information they are contacting Operation First Response. This has helped response time.
Number of families assisted with rent or mortgage to avoid eviction
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Emergency responders, Military personnel, Veterans
Related Program
Family Assistance Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of job skills training courses/workshops conducted
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Military personnel, Veterans, Emergency responders
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This is a new program that started in November 2020. 30 Students attended the CCNA course provided by Operation First Response at no cost to the Students.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Strategic Plan for 2019, Operation First Response’s Strategic goals are:
• Assist Every Case Received to the Full Amount Needed.
• Develop Partnerships to Expand Services Provided.
• To Raise Awareness of the Challenges that Returning Soldiers face during their recovery period.
• Decrease the Suicide Rate of the Military/Veteran population
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Within the overarching goals of our 2019 Strategic Plan are our strategic objectives, which are:
• Objective for Goal 1: To raise funding to ensure that all Disabled Veterans receive the assistance needed to overcome any financial burden as a result of injuries that occurred in defense of our country.
• Objective for Goal 2: OFR seeks to develop partnerships with businesses and other organizations to aid in the expansion of the full scope of services provided.
• Objective for Goal 3: To increase awareness of the plight of tens of thousands of returning Soldiers who are wounded and whose families are facing significant financial and emotional challenges as their loved ones recover.
• Objective for Goal 4: Suicide remains one of the biggest challenges for our Military/Veterans and OFR works to relieve the factors that drive them to suicide.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
• Substantial nationwide support through our loyal donors.
• A collaborative team of 3 staff members and approximately 750 volunteers nationwide.
• Exceptional leadership and management.
• Strong and involved board governance and oversight.
• Volunteers that are strategically placed across the nation devoting their time to mentoring Veterans in need, raising awareness and searching for fundraising opportunities.
• 24/7 access for wounded, injured, critically ill Active Duty Service Members and Disabled Veterans and their families to request emergency financial assistance virtually at www.operationfirstrseponse.org.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
2019 Statistics
2,027 Wounded Heroes and their Families received assistance with:
• Mortgage and Rent
• Utilities
• Vehicle Payments
• Groceries
• Air Transportation
• Ground Transportation
• Lodging
• Mentorship and resources
354 OFR Backpacks were sent to combat support hospitals in theatre.
746 OFR Hygiene Bags were given to Veteran Homeless Shelters
To Date Statistics (2004-2019)
21,840 Wounded Heroes and their Families received assistance with:
• Mortgage and Rent
• Utilities
• Vehicle Payments
• Groceries
• Air Transportation
• Ground Transportation
• Lodging
• Mentorship and resources
11,407 OFR Backpacks were sent to combat support hospitals in theatre.
1,572 OFR Hygiene Bags were given to Veteran Homeless Shelters
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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Who are the people you serve with your mission?
We serve wounded, injured and critically ill active duty Service Members, Disabled Veterans, First Responders and Gold Star families.
-
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Case management notes,
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals,
-
What significant change resulted from feedback?
As the journey and needs of those we serve change, we are able to identify those changes and implement new programs to help with the new needs.
-
With whom is the organization sharing feedback?
Our staff, Our board,
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How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship?
We feel that feedback from those we serve enlightens our team on any changes that may need to be made to make a larger impact for those we serve. We use the survey responses to see both the issues we are handling correctly as well as issues we may need to improve on.
-
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded,
-
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback,
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Operation First Response
Board of directorsas of 07/29/2022
Mr Phillip Irizarry
No Affiliation
Term: 2010 -
Bob O'Donoghue
Phillip Irizarry
Ronny Porta
Retired USMC Wounded Warrior
Peggy Baker
Operation First Reponse
Danielle Ferguson
Lauri Hauser
Cox Communications
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.
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