Assistance with small frustrations, from paying an electric bill to having groceries through the end of the month, can be the difference between a veteran getting to work or staying off the street. For the last twenty years, Joan Sisco has spent her days helping Arizona veterans struggling with hunger and homelessness. Joan, who grew up on a farm in Barryton, Michigan, served as a Marine from 1974 to 1977—a time when few women filled the ranks in the Marine Corps. At Quantico Marine Corps Base, Virginia, she was inspired by two Marine leaders, a captain and master sergeant, who treated all 140 Marines in the communications division equally—no woman was harassed or disrespected. Joan knows that many veterans did not have the positive experience she had, so in 2003, Joan founded Veterans First Ltd, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, in Phoenix, Arizona, which focuses on giving veterans a hand up rather than a hand-out.
When did you conceive of/start doing Veterans First and what inspired you?
In 2003 after serving two terms on the Arizona Department of Veterans Services Commission, I learned that government cannot by themselves do everything that is needed to help veterans. The only way to help was to start a non-profit so I could help veterans in the manner in which they needed and deserved and not be hindered by government rules and regulations.
Through my work on the Commission, I acquired the knowledge and understanding of the needs of veterans and their families. The needs were not being met by government agencies. The mission of Veterans First Ltd. (VFL) is to prevent homelessness and hunger for veterans, especially those with children, by providing programs, resources, and referrals on the journey to independence.
VFL’s priority program, Hand-Up assists veterans with living expenses, paying rent, utilities, car repairs, food, hygiene, home essentials, and starter kits for homeless veterans moving into their own apartment.
VFL also offers several no-cost programs: Muster & Mingle for women and Rest & Recreation for men: both programs foster camaraderie. HEAL HER Art offers women veterans fun, professionally-led painting sessions. Instruments 4 Success offers musical instrument lessons.
How did your military experience influence the work you are doing?
Gave me the discipline, mental stamina, courage, respect and drive not to quit, to always push forward no matter the barriers you face.
Why do you believe Veterans First Ltd is an important contribution to the community?
We fulfill the needs that cannot be met by government agencies. We have been offering a hand up to veterans in the Phoenix area since 2003. In the last 20 years, VFL has served hundreds and always with the support of the community who comes through with funding, resources, and supplies.
What inspires you to continue?
Knowing that we help veterans and their families who are struggling. We give them hope to face another day and let them know we are beside them no matter what they face and they are not alone.
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