COM M U N I T Y
Dale K. Graham Ve te r a ns Fou n dat i o n
Local foundation grows to meet the ever-evolving needs of our valued veterans
T
he Dale K. Graham Veterans Foundation in Norman is one of only around a hundred veteran service organizations in the country that are accredited with the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), out of thousands more that serve veterans. However, they do not receive dollars from the federal government and instead rely solely on donations and private funding. Their primary mission is to represent the nearly 16,000 veterans that they serve, assisting with the complicated process of filing claims and gaining access to the resources that veterans need and are entitled to. “We help you apply and help you in a way that should make your success rate the highest possible based on your conditions,” shared Jon Foti, chief executive officer of Dale K. Graham Veterans Foundation. The foundation found an increasing need for digital technology and space, especially amidst the era of Covid and recently relocated to a new 11,000 squarefoot facility that opened in January at 1233 W. Lindsey Street in Norman. Eight employees are on staff with over 100 volunteers available to serve the growing needs of veterans. With many volunteers and veterans both being at a vulner-
20 | March 2022
able age to suffer from the virus, safety was a concern for both parties. Their new unique computer lab is unlike any other in the state and holds 30 secure computers with scanners. This gives veterans a safe space and the ability to complete applications for VA claims, GI bill benefits and VA home loans, to name a few. The space and technological upgrades keep both applicants’ and volunteers’ safety a priority but also makes the process more efficient. Also, veterans can now submit claims from the comfort of their homes utilizing their website’s secure network. “We want to make sure that technology can no longer be a barrier between veterans and the benefits for which they are entitled to,” shared Foti. As an accredited organization, they can serve veterans from around the world. “Our limit is our capacity,” Foti said. “We have more veterans than I have volunteers to help them. We have more claims that need to be submitted than hours in the day. Our organization, like others, is slowly trying to grow and serve more veterans over time and serve them at an extremely high standard.”
