Veterans in the Florida Panhandle can now get help from United Way of Central Alabama

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Thanks to United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA), the Priority Veteran program has been able to support thousands of veterans throughout Alabama since 2013.

The program has been so successful that UWCA was recently asked to expand its efforts to the Florida Panhandle.

We spoke to Rocky Harrison with Priority Veteran to learn how this expansion will help even more veterans in Alabama and Florida.

What you need to know about Priority Veteran

Priority Veteran is an assistance program funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF).

The goal? To support U.S. military veterans and their families who are homeless or at immediate risk of homelessness.

Priority Veteran does this by:

• Offering veterans personalized assistance to secure stable + permanent housing
• Connecting veterans to resources that help gain skills necessary for long-term financial stability

Thanks to the largest federal grant in its history, Priority Veteran expanded into the Florida Panhandle last fall at the request of the VA.

Opening an office in downtown Pensacola, Priority Veteran expanded its team to serve Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.

At the center of Priority Veteran is Rocky Harrison, the Vice President of Veteran Services, who splits his time between Alabama and Florida.

Priority Veteran is hiring Program Directors, Program Coordinators, Case Managers + more. Learn more + apply.

Meet Rocky Harrison

Rocky Harrison joined the UWCA team in October 2024.

“When UWCA expanded into the panhandle, I started talking with leadership about the veteran population and what the needs are. I ultimately decided to work at UWCA because I saw a real opportunity for growth—not only personally but professionally.”

Before coming on board the Priority Veteran team, Rocky worked with the Florida Department of Corrections, which sparked his interest in veterans affairs.

“I have a passion for working with veterans in need and returning the favor for what they did for our country.”

On the job, Rocky loves:

• Working with a diverse group of people
• Finding areas where Priority Veteran is doing well or seeing what can improve
• Identifying new resources to help veterans
• Collaborating with other UWCA Community Initiatives programs

“When our veterans reach out, it usually means they’re experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. We listen to the veterans’ needs and act fast to make reasonable housing stability plans tailored to each individual.

I love being part of that solution, and this program offers opportunities to be creative and find solutions.”

Priority Veteran by the numbers

Here’s a look at Priority Veteran’s impact for the 2025 fiscal year:

• 596 veterans served
• 378 homeless clients assisted
• 73% in permanent housing after completing the program
• 98% still permanently housed one year later
• $1.8M in goods + services that contribute to veterans’ families

To-date, Priority Veteran has served 549 veteran households throughout the 69-county service area, including the four new counties in the Florida Panhandle.

How you can support Priority Veteran

When I asked Rocky how we in Birmingham can support his team in Florida, he was quick to answer “Get the word out!”

• Apply for a job.
• Donate.
• Tell vets you know about available resources.

Or, if you’re heading down south anytime soon, see the Pensacola office and meet Rocky and the team.

• Address: 375 N. 9th Ave., Suite A, Pensacola, FL 32502
• Hours: Monday-Friday 8AM-4:30PM

Check out job opportunities with Priority Veteran + join a team making a deep impact in Central Alabama + beyond.

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