Nation ’ s Finest
Veterans Improving The Lives Of Veterans
U
. S . Navy veteran Jason Henry enjoys the company of fellow veterans and makes it his mission to help improve their lives in times of need . He serves with Nation ’ s Finest , a nonprofit that supports America ’ s military veterans and their families with a comprehensive approach to housing , health and employment that helps them achieve self-sufficiency and reach their full potential .
Henry was stationed in Virginia as a damage controlman for the Navy ’ s amphibious assault ships from 1993 to 1997 . He then moved to Humboldt County , attended college and worked odd jobs . “ I felt directionless , though , and when I started working for the Employment Development Department as a disabled veterans outreach program specialist , I felt better being involved with the veteran community ,” he says . In 2011 , Nation ’ s Finest recruited Henry , who has worked his way up through many positions including housing coordinator , regional director , director of operations and chief operating officer . In his current role of performance improvement and innovation director , his responsibilities are to find more effective and efficient ways to provide
current services and to look at new areas of service needed .
Nation ’ s Finest , who will be celebrating their 50th anniversary of supporting Sacramentoarea veterans in 2022 , provides mental health and substance abuse treatment , transitional and permanent supportive housing , homelessness prevention programs and employment training programs to more than 7,000 veterans annually . “ Our model is built on veterans helping veterans ,” Henry says . “ That sense of community is a key reason it ’ s successful as an organization and satisfying as a job . Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless are enduring some of life ’ s hardest times and find comfort in our high level of cultural competency . We know military life , speak their language and have shared experiences .” For Henry , the quest is always to do more , especially for veterans in rural communities where services are distant , minimal or nonexistent . “ I ’ m constantly seeking out what our veterans need and trying to fill those gaps ,” he says .
I ’ m constantly seeking out what our veterans need and trying to fill those gaps .”
— JASON HENRY PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT AND INNOVATION DIRECTOR
10621 Schirra Ave . Mather , CA 95655 1-833-GOT-YOR6 nationsfinest . org
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