We often hear the expression “it takes a village” when discussing raising children. It also takes a village, a team of caring individuals and organizations, to meet the needs of veterans experiencing homelessness. HVAF is honored to be supported by many organizations in our community, but I wanted to take a moment to share the story of how a partnership with a national organization is serving Indy’s veterans well.

A few years ago, the Indianapolis Colts referred HVAF for an opportunity to apply for the National Football League’s Salute to Service grant, funded by the Bob Woodruff Foundation. Salute to Service helps the NFL invest funds to support those who have served in the military and their families. Thankfully, we were awarded the grant and over the last couple of years have continued to utilize BWF grant funding to enhance the employment services offered at HVAF.

HVAF utilizes funding received from the Bob Woodruff Foundation to prioritize training, education and financial assistance for Post 9/11 veterans enrolled in our employment program. Funding assists with needs such as tuition payments, training programs and work-related tools and uniforms. This flexible funding has made an incredible difference to the veterans we serve, including Lucas, whose story was shared nationally last week by the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

Lucas, a veteran of the United States Air Force, came to HVAF in 2020 after surgery for a service-related injury left him unable to work. He was staying with his mom and needed help with his tuition and to purchase a laptop that would allow him to explore a career in coding. Using Bob Woodruff Foundation grant funds, HVAF was able to assist Lucas and he graduated from Kenzie Academy last July.

We are so grateful that our partnership with the Bob Woodruff Foundation allows us to better serve veterans in our community. We are also grateful for the light that Bob Woodruff Foundation continues to shine on the issues we seek to address–homelessness, unemployment and food insecurity, that plague veterans in our nation.

No hero should be homeless and hungry. Thanks to the Colts and Bob Woodruff Foundation, HVAF stands ready to assist Hoosier veterans in need.

If you would like to join HVAF in our mission to provide housing, hope and self-sufficiency for veterans, we would LOVE to have you on our team!

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