BACKPACKS FOR LIFE INC

Utilizing a two-pronged approach, we begin the process by addressing the immediate individual needs of each veteran and also by working one-on-one with them on formulating a roadmap for long-term self-sufficiency. The veterans’ immediate needs are met with a military-grade backpack that we provide them, filled with essential toiletries, supplies, and resources. Other forms of immediate aid offered depend on each veteran’s situation and may come in the form of a meal, one or two nights of lodging, support in finding an available shelter, and transportation fares, among other interventions.

Our two programs include:

Program 1: Backpack Distribution

Backpack distribution is our gateway to reaching a veteran, building trust, and initiating the process of elevating them off of the streets, out of poverty, and on a path towards self-sufficiency. Military-grade backpacks filled with toiletries, supplies, and resources about local supportive services are distributed to veterans through four main avenues: direct requests, first see responder interventions, network partners, veteran service organizations and stand down events.

For a veteran with nothing, a backpack is their most crucial asset — functioning as a mobile home, a pillow, and even as a container for the few belongings he or she might have. BFL Founder Sgt. Brett D’Alessandro lived out of a backpack during a seven-month tour in Afghanistan with the United States Marine Corps. This inspired the BFL team to create a similar mobile home for the veterans we serve. Serving as much more than just a backpack, it truly stands as a symbol of hope. BFL understands the effect that a product of high quality can have on a veteran’s perceived value of themselves. The items included in each backpack are chosen with strict quality control and versatility in mind to ensure that a given veteran’s standard of living is immediately and positively impacted. The backpacks not only help our veterans carry their belongings, but symbolize that they are not alone on their journey and can always count on a reliable support system when they need a helping hand. Since 2014, we have distributed over 10,000 backpacks to veterans in 27 states to date.

The BFL team designed and developed two backpacks specifically engineered to fit the needs of homeless and transitioning veterans: The Bowery Pack and The Urban Pack. The Bowery Pack possesses various safety and security features aimed to support a veteran living on the streets or in a shelter. These features include but are not limited to a locking cable, a detachable toiletry kit, an emergency whistle, and a folding sleep mat. The Urban Pack, which is smaller in size, is geared towards veterans who are transitioning into permanent housing or going to job interviews, school, or work.

Program 2: Coaching and Mentorship

It is not the lack of resources, but rather the lack of knowledge on how to navigate these resources that presents the biggest challenge to our veterans. When building a trusting relationship with a veteran in need, we focus on improving their current situation by formulating a plan with specific goals and by creating a roadmap towards self-sufficiency. We help determine which programs the veteran is eligible for and what documentation is required to apply for services. Each veteran’s roadmap varies, but may include common steps such as obtaining an identification card, filing paperwork with the Veterans Affairs office, navigating public assistance benefits, securing stable housing, and enrolling in job readiness and recruitment programs. In an effort to help veterans avoid financial barriers to accessing these programs, we provide assistance in covering administrative and application fees, bus tickets, cell phones, etc.

During his transition after deployment, BFL Founder Sgt. Brett D’Alessandro spent hours on phone calls and weeks running down possible leads for care when every single second counted. We have witnessed our founder’s exact experience, though on a much larger scale, when supporting veterans through our mentorship program. Overcomplicated intake processes as well as outdated websites and program information often lead veterans to points of frustration and giving up in their search for the care that they need. Aiming to save the enormous amounts of time wasted by veterans searching for resources, our team developed ROGER, a comprehensive search platform for the New Jersey veteran community.

ROGER is an online search platform designed to help veterans and their families find programs, resources, and care tailored to their specific needs. The platform offers focused search capabilities to help veterans find solutions quickly and efficiently in addition to enabling the BFL team to take our mentorship capabilities to a larger scale.

Backpacks For Life is headquartered in Jersey City, NJ and has worked with veterans in 32 states. Our team primarily focuses on serving the Tri-state area but travels as far as Rhode Island, California and Iowa to serve veterans in need. Wherever there is a veteran or veteran family member, we will serve them or connect them with a local resource that we know to be effective.