HERMISTON, Ore.-Pacific Northwest Veterans Alliance (PNWVA) is a nonprofit supporting Veterans and their families in Northeast Oregon in times of crisis or need, that works to provide hope, healing, and financial assistance for those affected by Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and aid in the epidemic of Veteran suicide.
Pacific Northwest Veterans Alliance
In 2017, a group of local veterans, military families and community members held a golf tournament to raise money in support of Veterans in the region suffering from PTSD.
The golf tournament became an annual event, and the need to support Veterans continued to grow and in 2019, the PNWVA was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, expanding its support systems to serve Veterans in Morrow, Umatilla and Union Counties.
The PNWVA has one paid staff member and is operated by an 11-member volunteer Board of Directors.
Many members of the board are Veterans, spouses of Veterans or have family members who served in the military, a shared experience that brings personal commitment and a connection to the military community in Eastern Oregon, according to PNWVA
Eastern Oregon is home to more than 7,500 Veterans, and PNWVA helps those who need it when they need it, with everything from emergency financial assistance to resource connection.
“When a Veteran calls, we don’t put them on a waitlist. We help,” said White. “Often the very same day.”
Many Veterans in rural counties also struggle with isolation, lack of transportation and financial hardships, and Oregon’s Veteran suicide rate is higher than the national average, according to data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
“These challenges affect not only the Veterans themselves but also their spouses, children and caregivers,” said White. “PNWVA plays a critical role in offering quick-response emergency assistance, helping Veterans apply for assistance, connecting them to trustworthy local resources, and providing the stability and support they often cannot access elsewhere.”
Serving Veterans in Eastern Oregon
The PNWVA provides utility assistance support, temporary housing, job interview preparation, housing repairs, scholarship assistance, transportation, outreach and wellness events, as well as resource connections for Veterans.
“Our assistance is offered quickly, confidentially, and with compassion,” said White. “While many of our services involve financial support, an equally important part of our work is helping Veterans navigate complex systems, connect to resources, and receive the benefits they have earned.”
In addition to helping Veterans sign up for and receive VA benefits and enroll for healthcare, PNWVA provides assistance with the registration and application process for housing, employment and food assistance programs that lay the foundation for long-term stability.
“We understand that every Veteran’s situation is unique, and we tailor our support to meet the specific challenges they face,” said White. “Whether they are experiencing a sudden crisis, navigating long-term health issues, or simply need help finding the right resources, we step in with practical assistance and support.”
Strong partnerships with Veteran service offices, housing programs, food banks, mental health providers, and healthcare systems in the counties it serves, helps the PNWVA connect Veterans to the necessary resources.
“These folks do exactly what they say they’ll do,” said a U.S. Army Veteran in Eastern Oregon. “The range of their skills and support is incredible. They’re a blessing.”
As one of the first organizations Veterans can turn to in crisis, the PNWVA provides several forms of support, including utility assistance, temporary lodging, funeral and burial expenses, connection to medical benefits or employment resources, and many more.
“Our goal is simple,” said White. “To step in during moments of crisis or hardship and provide stability, dignity, and relief, while helping Veterans build a foundation of long-term support, connection and hope.”
Immediate crisis and emergency financial support provided by PNWVA includes, help with overdue rent or mortgage payments, utility shutoff notices, food insecurity, and lack of transportation.
“Veterans often tell us that our fast response prevented a crisis from becoming a catastrophe,” said White. “Our goal is always to restore stability, dignity and peace of mind.”
PNWVA also works to improve accessibility, mobility and home safety for Veterans, including the installation of ADA-compliant ramps, home repairs, and safety modifications.
Military families, including spouses, children and caregivers, are eligible for PNWVA support, such as food and gas relief, as well as help accessing family resources, and even funeral and burial expenses. The PNWVA also offers annual scholarships for Veterans and their dependents.
“PNWA stepped in when we had nowhere else to turn,” said a U.S. Marine Veteran in Eastern Oregon. “Their compassion, urgency, and respect made all the difference.”
The PNWVA also offers mental health and PTSD support and assistance, as well as suicide prevention outreach by funding mental health resources, supporting peer-to-peer connections, social events, raising awareness for suicide prevention, and connecting Veterans with mental health resources.
Veterans in need of assistance may contact PNWVA online or by phone at 541.701.8006.
“Supporting mental health is at the heart of our mission,” said White. “PTSD, depression, and isolation affect many Veterans in Eastern Oregon, and our work aims to reduce the risk of crisis.”
Community and Connection
Community engagement and connection for Veterans is another aspect of what PNWVA does through stand downs and local outreach, community gatherings, suicide awareness events, and appreciation dinners throughout the year.
The Annual Conrad Skinner Memorial Golf Tournament is the PNWVA’s original fundraiser and still raises funds to support Veterans and their families. The 9th edition of the tournament is scheduled for Armed Forces Day on May 16, 2026.
PNWVA also hosts an annual Veteran Suicide Awareness Run/Walk to raise awareness and highlight prevention, while honoring the lives impacted by Veteran suicide. The 4th annual run/walk is scheduled for November 2026.
A Veteran Appreciation Dinner, sponsored by AWS InCommunities, will be held on January 24, 2026.
Grooving for a Cause, a fundraiser featuring dinner and the Brass Fire Band to raise support for Veterans and their families will be held in October 2026.
“What makes us unique is our responsiveness and community roots,” White said. “We live in the same towns and counties we serve. We understand the struggles local Veterans face because we hear their stories in person, not through bureaucracy or distance.”
How to get involved
PNWVA relies on contributions from donors in the community and volunteers to carry out its mission in support of Veterans.
Tax-deductible donations can be made online or mailed to PNVA at 242 E. Main St, Box 285 in Hermiston.
Those interested in volunteering can also contact PNWVA online.
“Our support is quiet, heartfelt, and lifesaving in ways big and small, and sometimes that makes all the difference,” said White.
