By DEBRA VAUGHN

A new nonprofit isn’t quite ready to open an office but they are already helping local veterans.

Veterans Transition Support and Development Center had hoped to open an office on Midway Boulevard by March. The location didn’t work out and they’re looking for another site.

In their first two months, they’ve helped 15 families directly or connected them with other local organizations for help, said co-founder Gary Strong.

For instance, they helped a sailor find temporary housing and connected another family to care packages from another charity, Small Blessin’. They’ve made connections with a number of other local groups, including Opportunity Council, WorkSource, Disabled American Veterans, Homes for Heroes and Whidbey Veterans Resource Center.

Strong and two other local veterans have bigger plans: they want to help others as they transition from the military to civilian life. His co-founders are Jendayi Stafford and Calvin Kendall. They’ve recently brought on April Pomeroy, a new community outreach coordinator and fundraiser.

“We are trying to get the word out we are open for business,” Strong said.

The founders would like to provide advocacy, outreach, social networking, support groups, mentoring, learning, education resources, job placement support, housing and community connections to military veterans and their families.

They have fundraisers planned and you may see them at local events, such as an upcoming fun run.

“Not having a building is not stopping us,” he said. “We’re still working hard and moving forward.”