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This year’s 12 Vets Of Christmas begins on December 20! Each day for 12 days, you will get to meet each one of these veterans and find out how your support has changed their life for the better. We hope you’ll tune in right here on our blog (and social media – @hvafofindiana) and continue to support HVAF in 2024 and beyond!

Day Two – Bianca’s Incredible Journey

We first introduced you to Navy veteran Bianca at the end of 2021 – you can find that story here. And on the second day of the 12 Days of Veterans we are thrilled a wonderful update in Bianca’s progress! At the end of 2021, Bianca was living in one of HVAF’s permanent supportive housing apartments at Veterans Villa after experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bianca faced immense difficulties, trying to secure housing while struggling to keep up with hotel payments. The situation became overwhelming as she searched for an apartment and managed the financial burden. “Trying to get the funds to stay in the hotel while also trying to look for an apartment and then knowing I was going to have to still figure out how to stay in the hotel and somehow get a deposit ready, it was a little bit overwhelming,” Bianca recalls.

Fortunately, her case worker at the VA informed her about HVAF, and we stepped in to cover her hotel payments. Eventually, Bianca transitioned to Veterans Villa, where she found a safe and affordable place to call home for over three years.

Living at Veterans Villa provided Bianca with a unique sense of community, surrounded by fellow veterans from different eras. “I had never been in a situation where I’m in a building full of veterans. It was different having different eras all in the same building,” Bianca reflected. “I liked living there because I had a roof over my head, and it was cheaper than almost everything else in Indianapolis.”

During her time at Veterans Villa, Bianca seized the opportunity to enroll in HVAF’s intensive three-phase Workforce Development program: VetWorks. Through the program, she received education and training in IT, showcasing her determination and commitment to rebuilding her life. Her hard work paid off when she secured a full-time IT job at the city-county building, marking her one-year work anniversary and positioning her for a well-deserved promotion.

But Bianca’s success doesn’t stop there. She recently accomplished another incredible milestone—becoming a homeowner! Bianca moved into her own home on the near east-side of Indianapolis, just minutes away from her workplace. As she settles into her new home, Bianca is excited to add more furniture, spoil her three cats, and begin a vegetable garden. “I was excited when I got the house, it feels very freeing!”

Reflecting on her journey, Bianca expresses deep gratitude for the support she received from HVAF. “I’m fairly certain had I not been able to get the help that I needed from you guys, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here right now,” Bianca shared. “And I don’t mean that I wouldn’t have the house right now. I probably wouldn’t be on this Earth anymore.”

Bianca’s story is a testament to the transformative impact of HVAF’s programs and services. This holiday season join us in supporting HVAF today and help us continue to empower veterans on their path to success.

This holiday season, join us as we head into 2025 and help continue to empower veterans like Bianca on their path to success with one final 2024 tax-deductible donation!