As program evaluation manager for the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University, Gilly Cantor oversees the evaluation and strengthening of AmericaServes, a nationwide network of service providers that ease the transition of veterans into civilian life.

“I am part of our evaluation and analytics team, but I also have the privilege of being out in the field alongside my counterparts on the programs team, meeting the very people we serve, the people behind the numbers,” Cantor says. “Together, we support more than 875 health and human service providers who have undertaken a coordinated care model in 17 unique communities across the country in order to improve the delivery of services and resources to the military-connected population.”

For example, ending veteran homelessness has been a major focus for many communities and states. But the key factors that contribute to the problem are complex and differ from city to city. IVMF research and the ability to analyze public and proprietary data sets can help each community understand the services needed by veterans to reduce the incidence of homelessness in their particular area. It isn’t good enough to just provide a place to sleep. It might require providing legal services to prevent eviction or employment services to ensure long-term stability.

Read the full story on how Cantor uses data to truly help lives