Our Mission

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The Legion's “Leave the Streets Behind” Program 

“Leave the Streets Behind” is the Legion’s national homeless Veterans program that started out of Ontario Command. The program’s mission is to reach out to homeless Veterans and those at-risk of homelessness and provide them with immediate financial assistance and support. It also connects them with the social and community services to establish a long term solution to meet their needs.

While the “Leave the Streets Behind” program is operating in Ontario, British Columbia/Yukon, Alberta/North West Territories, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia/Nunavut and New Brunswick Commands, supports and services through the Legion are available for homeless and near-homeless Veterans and their families across the country. 

Partnering to support Veterans

The circumstances that can lead to homelessness can involve many issues, from mental illness, to financial challenges, to family circumstances, to failures with the system, and much more. In the Veteran community, homelessness can impact not only the Veteran, but their family as well.

The Legion is actively involved in advocating for supports and solutions for homeless Veterans. It was the Legion who hosted the first homeless Veterans Forum in 2014, bringing together industry experts, government representatives, Veterans organizations and community support services together for the first time.  We continue to be fully involved in working to find solutions, coordinating the Legion's Veterans Homelessness Advisory Committee to help develop a coordinated approach across all stakeholders to address the issue. 

The Legion works hard to get the word out to Veterans and their families about the help available. Our homeless Veterans program outreaches to shelters, first responders and organizations within communities to spread the word about our services and to coordinate supports for Veterans and their families in need. We also work with  organizations such as VETS Canada and Soldiers Helping Soldiers to outreach to Veterans on the street. Once connected with a Veteran in need, we can provide immediate support and get them connected to the long-term supports and services they need.

If you, or a Veteran or family member you know is homeless or at-risk of homelessness, contact a Legion Command Service Officer.