How Do We Help Our Homeless Veterans?

RallyPoint Team — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 14:17:06 -0500

A recent survey found that an alarming amount of Americans believe most homeless people they see must be veterans. Though that isn’t true, is there a way to change that stigma? And with at least 76,000 American veterans stranded on the streets each and every night, is there a way to better help them?

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Dec 5 at 2014 2:48 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 14:48:14 -0500

Wow, that preconception is startling to learn about -- I wonder why so many Americans think that most homeless people are veterans. Maybe it has something to do with a high percentage of homeless people writing that they are a veteran on their cardboard sign? Specifically, I am referring to a homeless person that writes, "Homeless veteran, please help" -- and drivers-by have no way of verifying whether that person is in fact a veteran.

Response by SGT William Howell made Dec 5 at 2014 4:08 PM

SGT William Howell — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 16:08:46 -0500

I volunteer with USA Cares. We work to help vets find jobs, keep their homes, and help pay the bills when they seek help with PTSD.

http://www.usacares.org/

USA Cares - Veteran and Military Family Assistance

USA Cares exists to help bear the burdens of service by providing post-9/11 military families with financial and advocacy support in their time of need.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Dec 5 at 2014 4:53 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 16:53:05 -0500

One veteran being homeless is an alarming amount.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 9:05 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 21:05:53 -0400

It's hard for me to tell if the person proclaiming to be a homeless vet is a homeless vet. The only homeless vets I know for sure are at the VA in the Homeless Reach Out program. I did something yesterday I've never done before. While leaving the VA a man standing on a corner had a sign which simply read " Vet Having Hard Times". I gave him some money and guess what? It felt great to help him whether he was a homeless vet or not. I've never ever given a dime to a street begger. Not that I will do it for every street person, but I don't feellike I'm getting ripped off like I did. Someone on RP pointed out that we can't control what is done with the money we give them, but we'll feel better if we do, and I did. I made this earlier.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 26 at 2015 10:08 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 22:08:22 -0400

My father-in-law and I used to get together for lunch once each week (I was an independent consultant and could make the time). He always gave panhandlers "a little something" and I thought him a fool. I didn't say anything, but I thought they would only spend it on drink or something equally useless. However, after he died, I got the habit. I don't know why.

Who cares what they do with it. It's charity and I can't imagine the blow to the pride it takes to accept it. They must need it, mustn't they?

Yes, there are a lot of reasons for homelessness. Mental illness seems one of the leading causes. Surely we should be able to do something. In fact, once upon a time we did. There was no nation more generous than the United States when it was prosperous. However, despite what the incumbents would like us to think, we are not now prosperous and most of us are simply struggling to help ourselves and our families. How many, for example, have adult children returning home? How many are living in multi-generational homes.? There but by the grace of God go I...

The government keeps telling us that unemployment is no longer a problem. Really? The percentage of Americans who are currently employed has never been higher. Thus, they simply are cooking the books to make us think times are good.

We know they aren't.

So, there's the first step to helping the homeless, and solving all other problems. We need to get America back to work (and I don't mean at part time hours for part time wages). We need to get the government out of the way so we can spend our own money as we see fit, to give it to charity if we have it to give.

Did you know that some cities are refusing to allow food banks to operate on private donations because they don't trust We the People to donate the "right sorts of food"?

Despicable...

Response by SFC Jeff Gurchinoff made Mar 26 at 2015 11:38 PM

SFC Jeff Gurchinoff — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 23:38:59 -0400

I would like to see Rally Point help one of our own. A friend of mine and Veteran is right now struggling in Colorado for a place to live. A Go Fund Me site has been established. It doesn't take much but a little bit from a lot of people will mean nothing to all of us and it will mean EVERYTHING to this Vet and his Wife Lisa PLEASE HELP.. Lets go beyond talking and really make a difference by helping

http://www.gofundme.com/bloecherstoyoopee

My friends Eddie and Lisa Bloecher need you RIGHT NOW.. don't wait, get a fellow soldiers back

Thank you! Jeff

Click here to support The Bloechers are going home! by Lisa LaRae Bloecher

Eddie and Lisa have been trying to get home to Michigan for almost a year now. Theylost theirhome in July, 2014 and have been struggling just to stay afloat ever since and have been unable to set anything aside to be able to move. Eddie is a combat veteran who has served our country faithf...

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Mar 27 at 2015 11:11 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 23:11:48 -0400

Why not use BRAC closed bases to open housing for the homeless until they can get back on their feet?

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Mar 30 at 2015 6:57 PM

SFC Collin McMillion — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 18:57:11 -0400

Houston allows you to get a "panhandling permit", and there has been more than one complaint about observing these individuals after completion of their "shift" getting into their Mercedes or simular cars and driving away. Must be rewarding!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 6:33 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 18:33:26 -0400

I like to write poetry because it's easier for me to write it than talk about it. I wrote this poem .

Where has all the time gone, where the hell did it go,
I was once looked up to, I was a war hero.
Now I sleep where ever I can, where ever I can find,
My face is so old and wrinkled, life has not been kind.

A half century ago, I served when I was called to go,
I was a combat soldier, proud and brave, ready for the show.
My time in Vietnam prepared me for my life,
Drugs and booze were my strength, which led to my strife.

Today I eat whatever I can find, I sleep wherever I can,
I am the people I hate, I am the one they can't stand.
The life I know of using drugs and becoming a boozer,
Has almost, but not quite, helped make me a total loser.

Then one day it happened, I had not thought of Him in years,
I fell to my knees in prayer and shed a half century of tears.
God told me to rise up, go forth, and again become a man,
Now today, I show others like me, what God will do and can.

© Keith Bodine 06/21/2007

Response by SPC Angel Guma made Apr 1 at 2015 9:44 PM

SPC Angel Guma — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 21:44:40 -0400

How? Fire all VA management right now. All of them, no exceptions. Appoint an independent hiring committee, of which 50% must comprise of veterans screwed over by the VA. Then take in applications on a case by case basis. For the truly worst of the worst in the VA scandals, mandatory public service which shall consist of living homeless themselves. Seize their assets, liquidate any capital they have, and fund veteran homeless shelters. When these buffoons have gotten a taste of their own medicine, and recant, let them back into society, wait for about three months, then find some reason to fire them again from their jobs. Then and only then, will they have learned right from wrong, a duty which their parents and religious leaders obviously failed
That right there will be an enormous help for the veteran homelessness.

For the panhandlers posing as veterans, pretend like you believe their story, offer them a warm cup of coffee, take them to a vfw hall, lock the doors and the windows, and then inform everyone that the guy is a fake. Keep doing this as a social justice cause. This will stamp out the posers.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Apr 1 at 2015 11:50 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 23:50:48 -0400

I think there might be a misconception by some civilians that if an individual is a "veteran" they must be receiving a check or some form of payment from the government. That might prompt some to ask, "then why is he homeless". Just because someone has veteran status does not mean they are collecting payment from the government.

Response by SPC Patrick Gearardo made Apr 2 at 2015 12:52 AM

SPC Patrick Gearardo — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 00:52:25 -0400

1. Start by giving ALL Veterans the same exact benefits that people in Congress get.

2. Stop helping all the illegals when our own aren't even being helped.

3. Every swinging nut inside the VA needs to be a Veteran.

4. Make the process easier for Vets to get the medical treatment they need.

I read a story recently where a WWII vet had the hardest, longest time to get benefits. At the age of 91, I think he was finally approved where he could move into this retirement home and then he died a couple years later. That's just shameful!! Gulf War Vets are still suffering and having a hard time trying to get benefits they deserve!

Response by PO2 Thomas J. made Apr 2 at 2015 8:12 PM

PO2 Thomas J. — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 20:12:07 -0400

Seeing a homeless veteran makes me feel like they are the ones who never made it home and no one should be left behind. They need housing, job training, counseling and treatment.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Apr 2 at 2015 10:20 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 22:20:20 -0400

One of the best ways to truly help homeless veterans is to volunteer your services to the VA's volunteer coordinator. If you think the VA has problems now, see how things would deteriorate if it weren't for the hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of volunteer hours that are performed. You can tell the volunteer that you want to work in specific areas depending on your skills, their needs, and your interests. In Phoenix (go figure) the VA had entire homeless housing structures that were so vile they were condemned. Volunteers (but mostly the media) put so much pressure on SEN McCain that low and behold, new homeless building and staff to run many of the programs that the VA offers for them. Every dollar that can be saved from volunteer hours can be invested into other areas.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Apr 2 at 2015 11:20 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 23:20:25 -0400

While that most homeless are not veterans, the fact that 76.000 of the homeless are is really a staggering number if you consider how few veterans we actually have as a percentage of the population? Really, one homeless person in this country is wrong. One veteran is criminal. Of course one day in the military, and a discharge for drug abuse and the person is still a veteran but we should demand better.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Apr 4 at 2015 8:18 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 20:18:14 -0400

If they are truly a veteran I will go out of my way to help them.
Sadly here in California we have so many fake veterans its enough to make you sick.
Most every day you seem them on the corner somewhere with a scrawled sign saying "Veteran, please help" usually they expand a bit more but just depends on how much they are seeking sympathy.
And while it might sound rude, you cannot help anyone who doesn't want help and doesn't want to improve themselves. A lot of these real veterans who are homeless have given up because its so hard to fight the system to get their entitlements. We need to fix the broken system and once fixed I would hope that there would be less homeless issues for veterans.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Apr 4 at 2015 8:53 PM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 20:53:08 -0400

Our VFW has a dedicated officer that works homeless vet outreach and we have a fund to supply emergency food and shelter.

Response by PO3 Aaron Hassay made Apr 5 at 2015 1:05 AM

PO3 Aaron Hassay — Sun, 05 Apr 2015 01:05:18 -0400

NO DD214. No matter what I did in uniform, no matter how many ass kickings I took, NO matter how often I was doing hazardous duties, NO matter how often I was deployed on a COMBAT NAVAL SHIP in 100% operational MODE in the hardest of hard departments DECK, NO MATTER that I am Legally Termed a VET, No Matter that I did all this I do not get a DD214?! They put an arbitrary number of days needed to be completed in succession of 180. I give you a boat load more then 180 just broken up over a full 8yrs that I was a deployable war asset trained and ready for deployment on a PHONE CALL.

It was not my fault 18-26 years Old I was not recalled after bootcamp to be deployed for longer then 180 days at any given time. It was not my fault. But they trained me the days that I was there to go all out and be ready full stress less time to get as good as everyone else who were always prior serviice or current service members on that ship. I was the only true Non-Prior Service Member signing my enlistment before I even graduated High School. This Reserve Term the R word has haunted and basically left me hanging and fragmented for the rest of my life.

They trained me hard expected the most loyalty and everything else ready for deployement at a moments notice for over 2900 days 18-26 for very few benefits and at the end I do not get a DD214 even. Of course I did not know the ramifications of a DD214 until the last year when the VET CENTER who actually diagnosed me with a written PTSD diagnosis confirming I am ill, then droppped me like hot sack cold as ice no other reason I do not have a dd214, something they can not take back, it is archived medical history. The assault did happen, the Operational Combat Stress in my unit did happen, I was serving during 9-11 and was in hi alert status and as gun ho as anyone else, I have a written diagnosis of PTSD VET CENTER from ARMY OFFICER who has been deployed AFGHANISTAN. I tell the truth. When does my courage and my valor and my honor and my sacrifice and my ills find comort from the greatest nation one if not the richest nation in the world. The 1 I was born in went to high school in was a varsity athlete in joined the milittary in and did everything asked and commanded unflitchingly and still that does not matter I did not do enough they say now somehow. And my injuries are my fault. But all that does not matter without a DD214 and I get denied or threatend with denail for everything. The VET Center diagnosed me with a Humanitarian Waiver for PTSD and treated me for 1 year straight then 1 odd day stopped treating me and notated they stopped for 1 reason despite my notated displeasure I do not have a dd214. Do you you know what can happen in a uniform in 1 minute that can alter your life let alone what I did over 8 years?

Can someone please help me and write me and say you will be an advocate so I can go to my SENATOR or CONGRESSMAN and show the Veteran REP I am supported? or help me request a RECORDS change in SERVICE for a DD214 or Get a SERVICE CONNECTION Service Record Change sooner then later?

I am living the life of what is TERMED a VETERAN Honorably Discharged 8 yr enlistment 5 yrs on a OPERATIONAL COMBAT SHIP deployed here and there. 5 different Annual Physicals would prove the doctors were better note takers then health providers because no matter what I marked or whatever I said would not get me a second checkup or follow up. Yes I was suffering from Operational Combat Stress and in service physical assaults, death threats, and sexual perversion harrasment from other sailors on the same ship in different incidences some reported some not but I was never offered mental health counseling. I made it to the end limping. I was Not given a Separation Physical. Honorably Discharged. 15 years of homelessness and joblessness and not talking about my time in uniform. 2011 I am on SSDI for anxiety mood disorder still not recalling military experiences and not discussing or talking about them. 2013 I find VBA-21-0781a-Service Connection for PTSD Secondary Personal Assault. Indeed all my memories came rusing back and my whole life made sense. I actually had untreated undiagnlosed PTSD. I seeked treatment at a VET CENTER and was actually diagnosed with PTSD from Assaultin Service. But they stopped treating me because they found I do not have a DD214. I I seeked HUDVASH homeles Veteran Voucher and I qualified with a very LOW intake application score but in the end denied no DD214.

Response by SSgt Chris Frey made Apr 5 at 2015 1:40 AM

SSgt Chris Frey — Sun, 05 Apr 2015 01:40:17 -0400

The VA has established a program to help homeless veterans. Unfortunately the ones that are homeless not all but some were discharged other than honorably. There is a lot of good volunteer nonprofit organization that help veterans. It's sad really .

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Apr 5 at 2015 7:41 PM

SSG Gerhard S. — Sun, 05 Apr 2015 19:41:40 -0400

My wife works at the VA Hospital in Detroit, and advises me that the VA actually has a number of programs for Homeless Veterans. One of the best things we can do to help a homeless veteran is to give him, or her a ride to the nearest VA hospital to speak with a Veterans Service Organization officer, or to a VA Social Worker/Pt. Advocate. Here's some more information on VA Homeless programs.
http://www.va.gov/homeless/

Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Office of Public Affairs Homless Office

Response by SSG Gene Carroll SR. made Oct 21 at 2015 6:59 PM

SSG Gene Carroll SR. — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 18:59:51 -0400

As we meet them, wer try to find places for them

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 7:53 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 19:53:16 -0400

When Veterans are in the military, the chain of command is OBLIGATED (at the very least) to take care of the members of their unit. The best leaders go far beyond what is expected and individuals rely heavily on each other to get them through tough times. Once a member of the military leaves that safety net, they are thrown in with a civilian population that has a difficult time, despite most of their well-meaning intentions, understanding and helping them. They feel alienated and alone. They are tenacious, but it is an uphill battle to be able to learn a new language, relate their skills to such a foreign world, and stay motivated when their isn't one other person to lean on when they stumble and fall.
So, how do we help them? Creating strong and meaningful veteran relationships. Within the groups, there must be knowledgeable members that can liaise between veterans and Veteran-Focused Organizations, who have a hard time servicing veterans who have to overcome the stigma of needing help and lack the personnel to both help and find these veterans.
We help them by providing systems and organizations that provide purpose by deepening the relationships within organizations to a level that each will understand and be able to respond when help is needed.
Lastly, we help them by not treating them like a charity case. They would rather be homeless knowing that they did that on their own. They need a hand up and not a hand out. Sitting with them where they are and spending actual time and effort getting to know them as an individual rather than looking down on them and pitying them. None of us can be 100% positive that won't or couldn't be us one day. How would we want to be treated if we were homeless?

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 21 at 2015 8:17 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 20:17:23 -0400

This weekend I am participating in a "Stand Down" during which homeless veterans are being transported to a facility where they can get a shower and a meal, and receive some care and one-on-one attention. It's a small relief from their drab existences, one day out of a year. But, I suppose, it's something.

Even this small benefit requires an organization, fund raising, volunteers, supplies, equipment, facility. Ultimately, therein lies the answer to the question at hand. All those who care and want to do something have to organize. That's the first step.

Think of it as a tactical operation. Think of the basic op order. The one advantage homeless veterans have is that other veterans care and no one is better at organizing and team work than those who have served. All we have to do is get off our duffs and serve.

Or you could wait for the government to do something. Sure...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 22 at 2015 3:25 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 15:25:53 -0400

There is a big delta of homeless veterans and governmental organizations finding them.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 4:24 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 16:24:07 -0400

i got one way:
https://youtu.be/qlijB6G392Q

watch that.

Earthship | New Solutions [Guide]

A compilation of the animated educational portions of the Earthship | New Solutions video. See Earthship | New Solutions Part 1 - 4. *****DISCLAIMER: No clai...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 27 at 2015 7:30 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 19:30:27 -0400

My son will start working for an organization that help homeless veterans. My question is do we have a good SOP on homeless veterans?

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Nov 18 at 2015 6:15 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 18:15:33 -0500

Force greedy people in CONgress and State Houses to kick loose some $$ by pressure at the ballot boxes, with Veterans organizations...

Response by SFC Eric Williams made Nov 18 at 2015 6:19 PM

SFC Eric Williams — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 18:19:09 -0500

There's a place outside of DC called McVet. Start by making a financial contribution then look at volunteering sometime. McVet.org they have a formula that works.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Nov 18 at 2015 6:26 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 18:26:48 -0500

There are two issues here: Perception and reality. America's perception of veterans can hinder helping them if it is adverse. As to the reality, sure there are better ways to help homeless veterans, none of which involve the government. They have failed veterans at every turn and there is no reasonable expectation that they will turn that around. Thus, it's up to us to help our brothers and sisters. I'm helping. Are you?

Response by SSG Don Maggart made Nov 18 at 2015 11:49 PM

SSG Don Maggart — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 23:49:02 -0500

By putting aside our busy lives and doing it a trip to the Dollar Store putting together a necessary kit and always having one or two in the trunk is a viable option... a extra Happy Meal goes a long way on a Cold day a kind word a polite conversation and yes 5 bucks for a room in a shelter for a night can save a life some night... it's not Rocket Science it's the Individual will to start somewhere...

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Nov 19 at 2015 6:12 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 06:12:25 -0500

I have never been what I consider homeless, although I did live in a tent down along side the Boise river in Caldwell for a month or so because I didn't have a real house. I've never gone hungry, although there have been a few times I wondered where my meal the next day would come from. When I was a kid, my Dad, who went through the great depression, told me: No matter now hard times are, you can always find job. It might not be what you want, but it will feed you and give you a place to stay. That has stuck with me my entire life and I've always been able to make do. After saying that I got a few questions and statements:
Are we homeless because we choose to be or because there is nothing else?
Is it life's situation we can't cope with or our state of mind?
Do we really want help or are we so drowned in pity we refuse help, even when given?
Do we choose to be homeless because we don't want to conform to society, rules, regulations, etc?
I don't know. I wish I had all the answers to the questions. I know much of it is mental and many just can't handle it, and we need to get them some help. I do believe there is a certain number of homeless who thrive on the "homeless" situation and don't want to pick themselves up and go.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not negative, but I'm just raising some questions which popped in my head. Being on the "verge" and even been one who's looked down the barrel of my .45 auto and thinking about pulling the trigger, I do understand. Sometimes I feel we must reach down and dig deep. Sometime we need some help when we dig deep to get back so we can grab the rim and pull ourselves out.

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Nov 20 at 2015 10:45 AM

SSG Todd Halverson — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 10:45:35 -0500

Easy..... Give them the same type of benefits and housing the POTUS and his administration want to give the Syrian refugees.

Response by SGT Jay Ehrenfeld made Nov 20 at 2015 2:24 PM

SGT Jay Ehrenfeld — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 14:24:03 -0500

As a homeless veteran i get 16 dollars a month for food stamps and be forced to live with aging parents and don't have a job because the civilians refuse to accept military as real job only civilian jobs experience and that included federal agencies

Response by SGT Jay Ehrenfeld made Nov 20 at 2015 2:43 PM

SGT Jay Ehrenfeld — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 14:43:53 -0500

Best way is helping the homeless veteran like myself is put in training at HR level from the federal agencies and the civilian goes to nearest military and observe the military as they work. the civilian refuse to accept military as a real job and they refuse to treat military transcripts like a college transcripts. one excuse they can not understand the military transcripts. the military spell it out on teh right side of the military mos in the civilian world.
Bottom line they think they military is not a real job no experience.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 20 at 2015 2:49 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 14:49:46 -0500

Find them, explain to them, and get them to the right agencies.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Nov 20 at 2015 3:51 PM

SPC David Hannaman — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 15:51:30 -0500

My emotions say "I'd give them the shirt off my back, a couch in my home, they're my brothers in arms and we take care of our own."

However, graphic speaks volumes.
15% disabled
50% mental illness
70% Substance abuse.

Now if you have a disabled veteran, or a mental illness... there's programs for that, what am I missing, why aren't they getting help?!

Substance abuse is disturbing for me though... obviously there's some overlap in the numbers, but if someone is living on the streets so they can spend the rent money to get high? Sorry, I'm gonna go all hard nosed on that... make a treatment center available, sleep on the streets until you're ready to go to it. It's called personal responsibility. I don't even care if someone is getting high, if you can get stoned and hold a job more power to you... just don't ask me to write checks for your chemical entertainment.

The next thing that bothers me is how we're defining "veteran" in this case. The mental image I get whe you say "homeless veteran" is a guy that a war chewed up and spit out, left him with PTSD and no skills other than kicking in doors, but "Veteran" can also be "Specialist Bob" that I worked with, who did nothing but break things and put flight crews in danger, beat his wife and got weekend jail time for it... Call me an ass, but if he was on fire I wouldn't piss on him to put the fire out.

I said in the beginning that I would give them the shirt off my back, but really I'd like to believe that I'd help anyone in need if I thought it was help and not enabling... helping someone get comfortable in a cesspool is not doing them any favors, give them a rope and help them out of the crap. Yes, there's an even softer spot in my heart for my brothers in arms.

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Nov 22 at 2015 8:31 PM

CPT Richard Riley — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 20:31:09 -0500

This topic has been worked on for a very long time. many here have participated in some way to help ease the burden of so many veterans being in this situation. Is there a better way to help? The only way I know of is to start at the local level, keep doing all the things you know help those who are in that situation, and keep this issue in the 'public' eye and on the minds of everyone you interact with. It is not a simple problem and it will not go away anytime soon. This is a daily battle and struggle we have to stay focused on. I honestly don't know if we can defeat this issue, but we can participate and do what we are able to minimize it.
There are so many here who have contributed something in one form or fashion that we have to believe in the end we will win this fight.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Nov 23 at 2015 12:07 PM

SSG Audwin Scott — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 12:07:42 -0500

One idea I just saw on the news this weekend a city here in Florida is deciding to starting building small little huts with electricity and water for the homeless, this would be a good idea across the board for homeless vets as well.

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Nov 23 at 2015 12:34 PM

SSG Tim Everett — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 12:34:17 -0500

There are three homeless veterans who I usually see panhandling in my dinky little town outside Atlanta. After spending about fifteen minutes having friendly conversations to sort of unofficially vet whether or not they're playing the homeless veteran card, I have bought them food (I never donate money directly). I have brought them blankets, socks, and I purchased three woobies from a surplus store. I have referred them to the local American Legion post, given each of them a business card for a personal friend who works for the VA in Marietta and urged them to call him, and I have asked other friends, specifically a very kind-hearted Methodist minister and then a local police officer, to check on them when the temperatures drop or see if some sort of housing can be found.

If our government can't dislodge its head from its fourth point of contact enough to help the people they willingly send off to fight wars, I can at least make sure I'm watching someone else's six.

Response by SGT James Hastings made Nov 23 at 2015 2:12 PM

SGT James Hastings — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 14:12:10 -0500

After trying to talk to some of them, offering help to get to the VA center and being turned down I stopped trying to help someone who stated they were a vet and were panhandling. In retrospect, I should have kept on offering. Locally, we have programs to assist homeless veterans but not all apply.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2015 9:20 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 09:20:12 -0500

The media does a poor job of shaping the mindsets of our average citizens and that is OUR fault (Veterans and active duty). We are about Selfless Service, which means we don't do things for the glory, we do it because it is the right thing to do. We, along with many other great citizens, are unsung heroes. It is our duty, however, to raise the consciousness of our would-be supporters by helping them see the truth. The importance of a balanced report is not the focus of any news reporter. It is to sell advertising. They NEED people to hear their stories so they can attract advertising dollars and to do that, they look for interesting or outlandish stories that they can tell in the most heart-wrenching, angering, and inculcating way.

The ONLY way we are going to take back the public's support for our Veterans, rather than their pity, is to tell the stories of the amazing efforts of those heroes out there that are going to get ZERO credit for their selfless work, happening in the shadows everyday.

We have to become storytellers ourselves. We have to fight fire with fire. For every story about some Soldier who, tragically kills himself and takes his family with him, we need to tell the story of a Veteran who was rescued from the jaws of despair and turned their life around to become a pillar of discipline and hard work in their community. They are out there! The problem is we think that nobody wants to hear about it or we are too embarrassed to admit that we once considered committing suicide.

I have made it my mission in Upstate SC to tell my story and to tell the story of those that will let me so we can shape the media presence in our community and shape the way our community thinks about Veterans.

We think of ourselves as different than civilians, but, at our core, we are not. We are people who want to be accepted and understood. We are hurting, but resilient. We are not so very different and when we find ways to demonstrate how much alike we are, we will gain the respect of our nation as they see how ordinary people answered the call to do extraordinary things.

Response by SPC Jeremy Benton made Nov 25 at 2015 10:59 AM

SPC Jeremy Benton — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 10:59:08 -0500

Check into Veterans on Patrol out in Arizona.. They have a better idea how to help. Boots on the ground, community helping it's self. Would like to see that start all over the US..

Response by SFC Brian Ewing made Nov 29 at 2015 12:00 PM

SFC Brian Ewing — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 12:00:50 -0500

Well for one we could start by stop sending charity abroad!! Charity begins at home! How is it that we have money for wars but we cannot feed our homeless Veterans (some of which has served in some or most of these wars)?

Should we be sending money to those who aren't Americans before we take care of our own?? When Servicemembers/Veterans are in the Transitional state of leaving the Service there should be a checklist that ensures that each member states what their plans are when they leave the military and what their financial situation is upon leaving it.

If we are to truly take care one of our own then we have to do this prior to them leaving the Service and not waiting until it become a problem after they leave. One thing being in the Army has taught me (my great Leaders) is to take initiative and be proactive rather than reactive.

An ounce of "prevention" is worth a pound of cure!! That checklist I mentioned earlier should address programs designed to help those of us who are transitioning so that we leave from this profession and walk right into another or into career training programs that insure our skills and leadership are best served by being a part of our communities.

Provide career training.
Provide financial assistance.
Provide a network of employers seeking servicemembers

Take monies that would normally be sent abroad/overseas to help other countries and place it into an Interest Bearing Account that accumulates for Veterans so that when we ask for assistance it is readily available and still continues to grow even when we are using it.

My long two cents, lol. God bless all my fellow Servicemembers.

Response by MSgt Jason Stone made Oct 26 at 2020 3:37 PM

MSgt Jason Stone — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 15:37:08 -0400

https://www.mac-v.org/

MAC-V is doing and impressive job in Minnesota helping our Veterans and working with community partners.

Many homeless and veterans’ organizations recognize MACV’s transitional and permanent housing programs as a model for the nation. We have a passion for serving those in Minnesota who first served us.