Eli Lilly and Company Creates Entrepreneurial Opportunity For Formerly Homeless Veterans

Eli Lilly and Company Creates Entrepreneurial Opportunity For
Formerly Homeless Veterans
Community groups can apply for start-up funding for businesses that would
employ veterans as they battle homelessness 


WASHINGTON, May 19  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In its continuing efforts to
support organizations dedicated to homeless veterans issues, Eli Lilly and
Company today announced the creation of a program that will give seed money to
community-based organizations that put veterans in transition into jobs.

Community-based organizations that serve homeless veterans are encouraged to
apply for enterprise loans of up to $30,000 to start a vendor business in
coffee carts or silk screening.  These businesses will be staffed by veterans
who are in transition after homelessness.  The program is known as Job
Assistance for Veterans' Advancement, or JAVA.

"Lilly is dedicated to providing answers that matter to its customers and the
communities it serves," said Josh Smiley, director of Lilly's Public Health
Sector.  "Bringing about employment and entrepreneurial opportunities is an
answer for veterans who want to break the cycle of homelessness."

Lilly's support for homeless veteran issues extends beyond the JAVA program. 
For the second consecutive year, Lilly will be honored with the National
Coalition for Homeless Veterans' Outstanding Corporate Partner Award. The honor
recognizes contributions from the business community in the campaign to end
homelessness among America's veterans.  The selection is based on the company's
exemplary commitment and service to homeless veterans.

Lilly's support of homeless veterans includes financial support for emergency
and transitional housing, food, medical care, mental health services, substance
abuse counseling and treatment and employment assistance for thousands of
homeless veterans.  Additionally, Lilly is a sponsor of the NCHV annual
conference.

NCHV will coordinate the national program and manage the business fund and the
application process.

"Together we can help veterans help themselves," said Linda Boone, NCHV
executive director.  "The transition process from being homeless or at risk of
being homeless to a successful, independent or semi-independent individual is
often measured by employment outcomes for these veterans.  Finding an income-
generating opportunity is critical to their long-term success."

Local homeless veterans assistance organizations that are selected to receive
JAVA funding will be asked to pay back the loan so the fund is self-
perpetuating and can cover funding for more businesses in the future.  The
initial Lilly grant of $120,000 will cover four businesses in the first year.

The Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation (HVAF) of central Indiana was
selected to receive the first enterprise loan.  HVAF President Charles
Haenlein, who is also president of the NCHV, hopes to have the Indianapolis
coffee cart running within the next six months.  Lilly's world headquarters are
located in Indianapolis.

"We are grateful to companies like Lilly that provide hope to homeless
veterans," Haenlein said.  "Creating the first business in Indianapolis is a
fitting tribute to a company that has provided so much for veterans."

The JAVA program was modeled after a successful program begun in Upstate New
York by Scott Murray, Ph.D., Director for Behavioral Health Care Services for
the VA Network in Upstate New York.  Nine carts have been implemented since the
program began eight years ago.

"We're very excited that the vision we had in New York for employment
opportunities for veterans is finding life in a national program," said Murray.
 "We'll be providing guidance and support to ensure the program's success."

Veterans selected to work with the program will be screened and selected by the
Department of Veterans Affairs Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) Program. The CWT
program seeks to maximize the functional status of veterans whose level of
disability or impairment may preclude full-time employment, thereby enhancing
their social stability and reducing their dependence on supportive services and
hospitalization.

The new program is the result of a partnership between the private sector,
government and nonprofit organizations -- one that Lilly hopes will grow as
more corporations join in the effort to find solutions to homelessness among
veterans.

Directors of veterans organizations who wish to apply for the JAVA program
should contact Linda Boone at the NCHV, (800) VET-HELP.

About Eli Lilly and Company

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing
portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceutical products by
applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from
collaborations with eminent scientific organizations.  Headquartered in
Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers -- through medicines and information
-- for some of the world's most urgent medical needs.  Additional information
about Lilly is available at http://www.lilly.com/ .

About the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans was founded in 1990 by a group of
veteran service providers in response to the growing number of homeless
veterans who were coming into their facilities and the lack of resources to
adequately provide services for them.  NCHV's mission is to end homelessness
among veterans by shaping public policy, promoting collaboration and building
the capacity of service providers.  Through its advocacy and leadership, NCHV
has become recognized as the nation's leading authority on homeless veterans
issues by several departments of the U.S. government, including the Department
of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, Labor and the Federal
Emergency Management Agency.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO ) 

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO

DATASOURCE: Eli Lilly and Company; National Coalition for Homeless Veterans



CONTACT:  Katherine Coble, [phone], for Eli Lilly and Company;

Janice Chavers of Eli Lilly and Company, [phone]; or Linda Boone of

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, [phone]

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