Animas Foundation Participates In Dallas’ First Veteran’s Expo

DALLAS - July 28, 2015 - PRLog -- The Animas Foundation was among twenty agencies, veteran’s services and advocacy groups participating in the Veteran’s Expo held at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library in downtown Dallas on Saturday, July 25th, which attracted more than 250 veterans and their families.  The Expo was sponsored by the Dallas Public Library system, the first such expo specifically targeted toward ex-military personnel and their families.  Library officials deemed the event a success.

“I hope we can do it again next year!” said Patricia Altamirano, coordinator for the event who works in the Government Information Center at the Dallas Public Library.

Amir Morani CPA, Executive Director and founder of the Animas Foundation said, “We were extremely pleased to have been invited to participate in this event, allowing us to share our program with those who have served our country.”

The Animas Foundation was joined by these organizations, with a variety of services and offerings targeted to help veterans and their families:  AmeriCorps, Association of Persons Affected by Addiction (AAPA), Argosy University, Battle Buddy, College Credit for Heroes, Dallas County Veterans Service Office, Dallas Public Library H.E.L.P., DME Exchange of Dallas, Educational Opportunity Center, F7Group, VA North Texas Health Care System, Home Depot of Ft. Worth, Homes4Heroes, Homeless Medical and Mental-Health Mobile Veterans Outreach, Montrel Living Veteran Housing, Texas Senior Corps, Veterans Moving America and We're All About the Dress.

The Dallas Public Library organized the Expo to better serve the Dallas veteran’s community.  Texas has the second largest population of veterans in the U.S. behind California, at 1.7 million.  Few people realize that veterans have a suicide rate 50% higher than that of the civilian population, and make up 14% of the homeless, which is 30% greater than the proportion of veterans in the general population. Drug addiction among veterans is also about double that of civilians.

“Without question, veterans have a need for social services and outreach programs such as ours,” Morani said.

The Animas Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission called, Pathways to Economic Freedom.  This program, launched earlier this summer, provides interest-free micro-funding and mentoring of entrepreneurial, small business ventures based on strength of character and not on a credit rating or lack of collateral.

Dale Turner, Volunteer Director and Chairman of the Advisory Board, represented the Foundation along with Bazal Morani, Director of Educational Programs.

“I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the veterans who came by our table," said Turner.  "One individual who served in the U.S. Marines has already applied for our Pathways to Economic Freedom program to augment and grow his start-up business.  I’m extremely proud that our next applicant for this program is a veteran who faithfully served our country,” he added.

Animas is a 501(c)(3) corporation with a social mission to improve the economic lives of low-income families.  For more information about the Foundation and its mission, visit www.animasfoundation.org or address inquiries to info@animasfoundation.org.