USA Cares, with headquarters in Radcliff, Kentucky, serves to provide military families of all branches and services with financial support, while offering direction and advice along with a caring attitude to those family members who stay behind while their loved ones are deployed for months on end. As of February 2006, the organization has received over 1900 requests from across the nation and provided or located over $1.1 million in financial support for military families. Additionally, USA Cares has assisted families in 48 states and in 7 territories.

In its third year, USA Cares typically provides support by way of insuring that the utilities stay connected, a roof remains overhead and the family vehicle is operational. Very little money is actually given to the family but rather goes straight to the service providers.

Case workers (Resource Coordinators) call each family after receiving a request and first work to assist the family in aiding itself and then to help solve the underlying problem as well as solve the immediate issue. Resource Coordinators insure that all traditional sources of support from military organizations and agencies are exhausted, including local nontraditional sources.

USA Cares is funded through the generous contributions of corporations, organizations and individuals and proudly continues to sustain a 90 percent plus ratio of mission dollars. The Homeownership Preservation Foundation, who provides free credit counseling, selected USA Cares to help distribute a pledged $1.2 million to military families for their at risk or overdue mortgages. Additionally the California Community Foundation provided a $1 million contribution from an anonymous donor all in November and December 2005.

“A Hand Up, Not a Hand Out” remains their pledge, along with protecting the dignity and privacy of our military families.

For more information please visit the USA Cares website at www.usacares.us or call 1-800-773-0387.