Helping the Homeless Veteran
January 23rd, 2009 | Published in Military News | 6 Comments
Most of the soldiers returning home simply have no clue about entitlements. These are benefits, which have been earned and are certainly deserved. Some things like medical care and education are common knowledge, not only to the enlisted but to the general population as well. These are the two benefits used to entice young men to enlist. Others are not explained, as they might never be needed unless unusual circumstances arise.
When entering a war theatre, unusual circumstances become quite commonplace. Traumatic events are certain to follow a soldier back into civilian life. Physical injuries need to be treated. Traumatic brain injuries are far more common due to advances in modern warfare.
Soldiers come home to families that do not understand the changes in personality, mental ability or the inability to re-integrate into civilian life. As a result, these former soldiers turn to abuses, experience failed relationships and become too stressed for normal interaction. The result is that they begin wandering in an effort to burn energy and get to sleep.
97% of homeless veterans are male and the majority of them come from challenging backgrounds, are single, poor, older and educated. Half of the homeless veterans are African-American or Hispanic. More than 70% have alcohol or drug abuse issues. Almost all of these veterans are lost to the system with the resources to help them.
Veteran’s Administration Specialized Programs
In 1987, the Veteran’s Administration was authorized to develop major homeless-specific programs. Since then, these programs have grown and developed. They attempt to address the issues of homelessness among veterans, identify and integrate related services and offer this series of interwoven services to veterans and their dependents.
Among the services available to the homeless veteran, the following programs were identified:
· Aggressive outreach program aimed at shelters and known populations of street people
· Assessment and a referral for approved medical, physical and psychiatric issues
· Long term shelter, transitional assistance, case worker assignment and/or rehabilitation
· Identification of marketable education, skills and abilities as well as employment assistance and connections with other income resources
· Permanent housing with support services
· In 1992, the Homeless Veterans Dental Program was added to the foregoing list of services
Lessons from Vietnam
We lost many combat soldiers during the war in Vietnam. The final number is still undetermined. Those that returned came home with an array of issues and there were no established services to deal with those issues. The current estimate of Vietnam veterans who are homeless is greater than the number that died.
Desert Storm veterans are beginning to appear among the homeless population. At present, the number is very small. If history repeats itself, the number will grow over time.
The majority of homeless veterans, who saw combat in Vietnam; also suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Exposure to combat conditions, however, is not the only determinant that identifies veterans who are likely to become homeless. There are stronger determinants that involve support from family and friends, family history and personal character traits or flaws.
Homeless Veteran Coordinator
The Department of Veterans Affairs has established Homeless Veteran Coordinator Offices in each state. This office dispenses information to homeless veterans about the services available in their state through the Veterans Health Administration. Each facility provides the services most in demand.
The homeless veteran is not left on his own or without supportive services. Bringing the service and the veteran together is just the beginning of a relationship with support network personnel. Homeless veterans have some unknown entitlements to tap for assistance.
Do you know a homeless veteran that you can point in the right direction? Consider it your duty to both God and your Country to help that veteran find these services.
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January 23rd, 2009 at 7:17 pm (#)
The escalating number of veterans returning to find them themselves homeless is alarming. If you are interested in helping our homeless veterans please contact your local homeless veterans shelter and volunteer or make a donation. Most homeless veteran shelters rely on independent donations to provide the necessary services. A good place to start is with a Google search for “Homeless Veterans Shelter Donations.”
January 25th, 2009 at 1:49 am (#)
Obama Appoints Special Envoys, Underscores Importance of Diplomacy
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2009 – President Barack Obama traveled to the State Department today to announce the appointment of two special envoys: former Maine Sen. George Mitchell as special envoy for Middle East peace and Richard Holbrooke as special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The president thanked the men for taking on the tasks; both are seasoned diplomats with Mitchell negotiating in Northern Ireland and Holbrooke responsible for the Dayton Accords that brought peace to Bosnia.
The president spoke to the assembled foreign service and civil service audience about the importance of democracy to his administration, echoing themes from his inaugural speech.
“We must recognize that America’s strength comes not just from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from our enduring values,” he said. “And for the sake of our national security and the common aspirations of people around the globe, this era has to begin now.”
Diplomacy will lead U.S. efforts throughout the world, Obama said.
“It will be the policy of my administration to actively and aggressively seek a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians, as well as Israel and its Arab neighbors,” the president said.
Mitchell “will be fully empowered at the negotiating table,” Obama said.
The president reiterated U.S. support and commitment to Israeli security. “We will always support Israel’s right to defend itself against legitimate threats,” he said. “For years, Hamas has launched thousands of rockets at innocent Israeli citizens. No democracy can tolerate such danger to its people, nor should the international community and neither should the Palestinian people themselves, whose interests are only set back by acts of terror.”
While Hamas rockets are unacceptable, so is a future without hope for Palestinians, Obama said. “I was deeply concerned by the loss of Palestinian and Israeli life in recent days, and by the substantial suffering and humanitarian needs in Gaza,” he said. “Now we must extend a hand of opportunity to those who seek peace.”
Obama called Afghanistan and Pakistan the central front in the enduring struggle against terrorism and extremism.
“We must understand that we cannot deal with our problem in isolation,” he said. “There is no answer in Afghanistan that does not confront the al-Qaida and Taliban bases along the border. And there will be no lasting peace unless we expand spheres of opportunity for the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
Any progress in the region will take time, Obama said. Violence in Afghanistan has risen, insurgents fielded and the opium trade has grown. Outside Kabul, the Afghan government is unable to deliver basic services.
“While we have yet to see another attack on our soil since 9/11, al-Qaida terrorists remain at large and remain plotting,” Obama said.
The United States aims to strengthen partnerships with regional governments and sustain cooperation with NATO allies.
“We will provide the strategic guidance to meet our objectives,” the president said. “And we pledge to support the extraordinary Americans serving in Afghanistan, both military and civilian, with the resources that they need.”
The president also spoke on the executive orders he signed earlier today. The orders call for all U.S. interrogations to abide by rules articulated in the Army Field Manual 2-22.3; the closure of the detention camp at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station, Cuba; and a comprehensive review to determine how to hold and try terrorism suspects.
“The world needs to understand that America will be unyielding in defense of its security and relentless in its pursuit of those who would carry out terrorism or threaten the United States,” he said.
These orders send the signal to the world that the United States will uphold its fundamental values even when threatened, he said.
“Once again America’s moral example must be the bedrock and the beacon of our global leadership,” Obama said. “We are confronted by extraordinary, complex and interconnected global challenges: war on terror, sectarian division and the spread of deadly technology. We did not ask for the burden that history has asked us to bear, but Americans will bear it. We must bear it.”
January 27th, 2009 at 1:05 am (#)
Another good resource for those seeking veterans compensation benefits is http://www.veteranslaw.com
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:19 pm (#)
All the homeless veteran programs label the vets mentally ill & addicted/alcoholics, tap all funding sources to “treat” the vets (vets get NO MONEY, the poverty pimp get it all), pack the vet in jammed-packed shelters with open toilets/showers without any privacy, dignity, or respect, force the veterans to convert to the 12-step religion, feed the vets rotten food bank discards, rules-rules-and more rules, chores-chores-and more chores, groups-groups-and more groups, and for some it’s back on the streets, others it’s a bullet to the head, and for most they were just there waiting for a disability rating and a check in the mail monthlt.
November 28th, 2009 at 4:11 pm (#)
August you are 100% correct. The VA and its ‘Poverty Pimps’ are interested in the piles of taxpayer’s money, while the homeless veterans get the worst conditions possible. Check out the Walter Reed veteran’s housing scandal, what a disgrace.
July 20th, 2010 at 6:21 pm (#)
Maybe the best benefit for homeless Vets (or any Vet hard on their luck) is one that the state of Massachusetts has called M.G.L Chapter 115. If you’re in Mass. read about that “Mass General Law”. It is money for indigent Vets that ranges from $800-$1800 per month!!!!!!!